Ok! Chapter 4! I just want you guys to know that I spend a lot of time on each chapter. Write a little. Read it. Write some more. Get rid of that. Try again. It's a long process for me and I'm still not sure if I fixed all the mistakes because I haven't read the thing as a whole!

Anyway, hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoy writing it

PS. All of my intros from the past are based on Lackadaisy extras or on things mentioned in the comic ;]

-Daft

1924. After a mildly amusing, equally awkward, and not very informative talk about exactly what the look was, sparked by a gawking female at the train station, Mordecai and Viktor sat uncomfortably across from one another in a private train compartment. Mordecai looked at the older man thoughtfully, eyebrows unconsciously growing closer the more he considered. His eyes remained fixed even after Viktor looked up at him. "Vhat? Is symmetry again?" the two shared a knowing smile and Mordecai's face softened before shaking his head and looking away. He was suddenly determined to clean his glasses until they were positively unblemished.

Mordecai felt the elder's eyes on him the whole time. He slowed in his task and looked up at Viktor with only his eyes, keeping his head down. Mordecai looked younger without his spectacles on, Viktor noted. It made him feel like he was sinning just looking at the handsome, well-dressed young man. He made Viktor feel old and unattractive. But at the same time, when they were together, he felt like he was young and full of life. At the age of 38 he could keep up with this 25-year-old mercenary, and that felt pretty good.

Mordecai held his stare for a moment before sighing, straightening, and placing his glasses back on his face. "What are we doing?"

Viktor looked at him, surprised. "Vhat you mean? Ve are on train."

Mordecai glared daggers at him. "You know very well what I mean, Viktor. I've had quite enough of this nonsense." He sounded bitter, hopeful, and nervous all at once.

Viktor leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees, looking out the window. He let Mordecai sit there for a moment, simmering in his own increasing frustration. "Nonsense, yeah?"

"Yeah." Mordecai mocked, agitated.

Viktor looked back to him, thinking. There was a light in his eye that unsettled Mordecai. What have I just- Viktor's hand shot out, grabbing Mordecai's tie, and pulled him forward, covering the young man's mouth with his own. Mordecai hesitated but quickly returned the offer of lips. Viktor kissed him repeatedly, removing his hand from the tie and placing it firmly on the back of Mordecai's head, his other elbow still on his knee. It was not the most comfortable or practical position to snog in, but neither man cared at that moment. It had finally happened.

1927. He reached for his gun and turned around only to see Viktor standing there with a wrench in hand.

"I vas vorking. Need light on." he said, turning to go back to one of the trucks that seemed to always need maintenance of some sort. Mordecai straightened up and cleared his throat, following the larger man to said vehicle. He wasn't sure why he was doing it yet, but was sure he could come up with some reason- if not an excuse. He stood nearby, taking his glasses off and cleaning them. Viktor had realized years earlier it was a kind of nervous habit Mordecai had, though he didn't think Mordecai knew it himself. It was strange to know someone so well that had been so alienated. Though Viktor hadn't had a decent conversation with him for what seemed like a lifetime, he knew the man well enough he could probably have told you what he ate for breakfast that morning.

Mordecai put his glasses back on. "So... You heard our conversation?"

"Yeah." Viktor responded, looking at the engine before him in bewilderment. "Jebem tá." he said, defeated, closing the hood.

Mordecai looked his ex-partner over as Viktor reached into a pocket and produced a small flask, taking a drink of the liquid within and making a face that looked like he wished he hadn't before capping it again. He looked to Mordecai and offered it to him. Mordecai made a foul face and shook his head. Viktor smiled, remembering what an intoxicated Mordecai Heller looked like.

Viktor sighed and Mordecai shoved his hands in his pockets and they both began to speak at once.

"Look, Viktor-"

"Vhat happened-"

They simultaneously cleared their throats, looking at anything but each other. "How's your...?" Viktor pointed to his own side, indicating he was trying to ask how Mordecai was healing.

"Oh!" Mordecai started, "I'm quite well now, thank you." He said, rubbing the spot that was scarring nicely underneath his clothing.

The silence crept up on them again and awkwardly, almost unintentionally, they started looking one another over, as if to see if the other had changed since their last encounter. The air was curiously warm for late November, Mordecai noted in the back of his head. It was then that he also took note of Viktor's simple cotton shirt which lay tight across his chest, and his trademark suspenders that outlined the firm muscle under it. He watched that large, expansive chest rise with each intake of air, and fall with every exhale.

Likewise, Viktor studied his face, or, more specifically, his lips. They had always been one of Mordecai's most exceptional features. They were not large, but not thin, and had a slight but masculine plumpness that was rarely seen. And God, did he know how to use them.

With that thought, Viktor pulled his eyes off of the younger man, somewhat embarrassed. "You, eh, vant to sit?"

Mordecai was equally embarrassed and looked away quickly. "Where?" he said, suddenly looking around, far too interested in where this seat might be. Viktor went around the truck, past Mordecai, and opened the door, offering the truck seat to the younger. Mordecai thought for a moment that he shouldn't, but the concept fizzled away as he walked around Viktor and sat inside, nodding his appreciation. His eyes didn't leave the older man as Viktor went back around and sat in the driver's seat, hoisting himself in. Mordecai thought this was an all-too-familiar thing for them, this whole front seat business. Not that they should be in the back seat, of course! He thought quickly before mentally slapping himself, the implications too much for him at the moment. It was quiet again as they sat next to each other, only about 2 feet of empty seat between them.

Viktor took another swig from his flask and made another face, though it was less appalled this time. He took a deep, calming breath, determined to talk to Mordecai like an adult who could handle a proper conversation with another adult. To talk to him like an old friend, and not something more awkward or difficult. It would make it easier to handle a discussion. If they ever started having it.

Mordecai cleared his throat yet again, another nervous habit, "What... were you going to say, earlier?"

Viktor thought for a moment and remembered, glad not that he had not gotten to say it. "Is nothing."

He heard Mordecai let out an agitated sigh and decided that asking the silly question was better than sitting in awkward silence again. "Vhat happened... Back then? Vhy did you leave?"

Mordecai was relieved that the question didn't turn out the way he had anticipated, but this one angered him somewhat.

"Don't start that, now, you know very well why I left."

Viktor looked at him seriously. "No. I don't. I haf no idea vhy, vhen ve needed you here most, you just leaf!"

"I didn't just leave, Viktor."

"Ah, yeah. I forget. You shoot me, then you leaf!" He shouted, his face growing more accusing.

Mordecai wondered briefly if Mitzi knew Viktor was back here and wanted the two of them to talk. He pushed it aside. It didn't matter anyway.

"I did what I had to! You could have come, but you chose to stay."

"Yes, and you choose to leaf."

"I didn't choose! Mitzi sent me to work for Asa, remember?"

"... No."

"Yes! And then Asa asked you to come with us, and you refused. We had a chance to... To work together and you turned it down."

Viktor sat thinking about this for a moment. He hadn't known that Mitzi sent him. He realized many things. One being that Mordecai wanted to be with him, and he was assuming when he said 'work together' that wasn't exactly what he meant. Another being that Mordecai evidently had not gone because he wanted to. And last, that Asa had lied to Mordecai. "Asa nefer came to me. Ve never talk. He doesn't, eh, vell, ve haf nefer like each other much."

Mordecai looked confused and conflicted. "No. No, he told me that he asked you to come with us and that you refused." Mordecai looked at Viktor, desperate for confirmation, but Viktor could only offer a sorry stare in return. Mordecai looked away, realizing he'd been played. "Why would they... did they... Did they do it on purpose?" He was not used to being out of the know, and detested the feeling of confusion.

Viktor thought about this as well. Did they know? Even if they did, why would they tear the two apart? A better question was, "Then... Still, vhy did you shoot me?"

Mordecai looked at him with a start and felt slightly embarrassed. "Well... I was angry. And... If you weren't with us, you'd be against us. I thought it best, in my disapprobation, that you cease such work lest I be given orders to do something that would not be in your best interests as a consequence of your employment."

Viktor understood. It was a complicated way of saying, You pissed me off but I still cared enough to shoot you so I wouldn't have to do worse later.

"Not that it had any apparent effect, seeing as you're still here." Mordecai scoffed.

Viktor sighed. He knew there was no use arguing any of this. It was a matter that was two years old and could not be reversed now. But at least they had talked and learned the truth. He looked over at Mordecai, defeated. "I'm... Sorry."

"What? Why?"

"I don't know... I'm sorry that things turn out this vay."

It was Mordecai's turn to sigh. "Yeah. Me too... Especially about... You know..." Mordecai made a 'gun' with his hand and pretended to shoot Viktor's knee. Viktor chuckled and rubbed at the knee of his stretched-out leg, then lay his head back on the seat and turned is tired gaze to Mordecai, who looked equally tired and even more sorry, almost as if he would cry. But Mordecai Heller didn't cry. Ever.

They were content to just sit there looking at each other a while, as if they were sending I'm sorries back and forth telepathically. Viktor felt something warm brush against his hand that was lying on the seat between them. He recognized it immediately and took hold of it, squeezing. The other did the same.

It was much later that the two parted ways. They had caught up, talked about important things, regrets, plans, Viktor's extensive injuries and how they were taking their toll on him. And trivial things as well. They mentioned the past a couple of times, but it seemed like that only lead back to the subject of regret, which was not something either were fond of talking about. Their long conversation was filled with occasional hand contact and fleeting I missed this looks. They did not mention whatever it was that was between them, their romance, as the sentimental might call it. But it did not need mention to be rekindled that night, though both were loath to admit it or even acknowledge it.

When it came time for Mordecai to leave, it was because the sun was in the sky and he desperately needed sleep. They stood at the door that lead out, where Viktor had caught Mordecai the night before. They weren't sure how to say 'Good bye' now. Gathering his courage, Viktor put a hand on Mordecai's shoulder and placed a chaste kiss on his temple. Putting the sides of their heads together he still refused to say goodbye. "I vill see you soon, yeah?" his voice was soft and low and pleasing so close to Mordecai's ear.

The younger nodded, briefly grabbing Viktor's arm in a reassuring manner before pulling away gently and slipping out the door, looking in all directions as he slunk away. Viktor did not feel so lonely knowing that there was still someone who cared. As a matter of fact, he felt better than he had in two years.

Just so we're clear. . . They didn't have sex. They didn't even kiss. I just don't want to give anyone the wrong idea there with that ending.

Tell me how I'm doing Please! It motivates me ;]