Chapter 9:

A/N: Please feel free to comment on the story do far. Do you like it, or, if not, what don't you like? I enjoy reading what people think about the story line and I really do try to listen to the critiques. I promise to keep updating as soon as I can. I have been writing and re-writing to get this just where I want it to go. Thanks for your patience. I promise I'll make it worth the wait.

Standing in the service entrance to the kitchen, Ivy preened over her Nightwing X-31. She kept it safely parked among the crates of produce and cases of wine whenever she wasn't riding it. She carefully ran the soft terry cloth towel over the gas tank, the clear coat as pristine as the day she bought it. The black paint gleamed under the fluorescent lights, and Ivy couldn't wait to stretch herself across the sexy lines of the bike and feel the engine rev beneath her. It was one of the few things that were entirely hers and she lived to ride it.

The kitchen staff came in and out of the storage area, some giving Ivy a quick nod of recognition, but most ignoring her. Having just told Kisten her intentions for later that evening, Ivy left him in the kitchen walk-in taking out his frustrations on a side of beef. He trusted Adam Sirio less than Ivy did, and was not happy to hear of the conditions for her interview. Needless to say, he was pissed because Ivy wasn't taking him along for back up, and second, for having to fill Piscary in on the latest development. She hated putting Kisten in the middle, but it was easier having him relay the news to the unpredictable vampire later when he came up to the restaurant. Besides, Kisten was a big boy. He'd get over it.

Tossing the towel in the crate of gear she kept next to her bike, Ivy grabbed her helmet and pushed the bike from its stand. She nudged the service door open with her front tire and wheeled her bike out into the rear parking lot. Hearing a muffled ring from inside the pocket of her short leather jacket, Ivy smoothly swung her leg over the bike. Sitting on the seat, her legs bracing the bike from rolling as she straddled it, she answered her call before it was dumped into voice mail.

"Ivy?" Dani's voice was in her ear, and the memory of her late morning dream flooded into her thoughts.

"Hi Dani." Ivy's cheeks flushed and she was glad there was no one around to witness it. "You have good timing. You caught me on the way out. What can I do for you?"

"I know you said you wanted to call me tonight about Jack's partner and his girlfriend, but I just thought I would take a chance and see what your schedule was like. I just finished up with my last dance class, and if you aren't swamped, I thought I would invite you over to my place." Dani hesitated for a moment as if working up the nerve to continue. "I know I probably shouldn't have moved his things, but after Jack had been missing for a couple of weeks, I went back to his apartment and brought some stuff over to my place. You know, for safe keeping."

"What kind of stuff would that be, Dani?" Ivy asked, her lips pressing together as her mind raced, already assessing the possible damage to the case. If the missing person turned into a murder investigation, Dani's actions might have different repercussions. For now, it may not be such a big deal.

Dani's voice dropped to above a whisper, as though she was afraid someone other than Ivy would be listening. "Jack kept journals. He liked to write. He did ever since we lived at home before…well, before everything changed and he moved away. He always kept his journals in his night stand. I went over to his place and brought them here so I could try to see if I could find something. Some sort of clue to where he may be."

"Okay," Ivy said calmly as she gripped the handlebar with her free hand. "Anything else?"

"One of those computer USB drives. I only looked at that once, but it had some financial statements on it from the club. I didn't really understand what I was looking at, so I stuck with going through the journals."

Ivy's pulse quickened, but she gathered herself, not wanting to sound reprimanding and lose Dani's trust. "Dani…" Ivy began to say.

"I didn't know what happened to him Ivy." Dani admitted, words coming faster now that she opened up and told this much. "I didn't know who to trust, so before the FIB went in to look through his apartment, I took some of his private things. To keep them safe and to make sure he gets them back." Dani paused so long this time, Ivy began to think she lost the connection. "Did I really screw things up?" Dani finally asked, her voice sounding small and lost.

Closing her eyes, Ivy slowly released the breath she was holding so Dani wouldn't hear. At first, all she wanted to do was wrap this case up and get her life back to normal. Why now did she wish that she could put her arms around this woman and tell her it would be alright? And was she that fucked up that merely the thought of doing that was beginning to turn her on? Humans didn't like her, she scared them. Why was this one turning to her as a friend?

"No, Dani," Ivy said, pushing all of her questions out of her head, "it's going to be OK." Ivy glanced down at her watch. The premiere would be starting in six hours and she hadn't even mentioned Sirio's offer to Dani yet. Getting her mind back in the game, Ivy snapped into action. "Give me your address. I'll come out to meet you now and we can talk. I'll figure something out, don't worry."

The cool spring breeze off the nearby river blew Ivy's raven hair back from her eyes as she punched Dani's address into the cells built in GPS. Reading over the directions, Ivy stuck the phone back in her pocket. Dani lived close to her brother's brownstone, and it wouldn't take long for Ivy to get there on her motorcycle. Taking a deep breath, Ivy shook her hair back and slid on her helmet. 'I just keep digging myself deeper' she thought as she stuck the key into the ignition and revved her engine. 'When am I going to learn?' Snapping the visor down on her helmet, she shifted into gear and accelerated out of the parking lot.

… … … … … … … … … … … … …

Ivy pulled her bike up to the curb, her brow furrowed with confusion. The GPS brought her to what looked to be a large warehouse. Still astride her bike, she removed her helmet to double check the address in the phone. Hearing approaching footsteps, Ivy glanced up. Dani was walking toward her, a smile on her face as she came closer to the motorcycle.

"You got here fast. I was going to be waiting outside for you. No one ever thinks they are at the right place." Dani said as she stood before Ivy, her hands in her jean pockets and her hip slightly cocked to the side. She ran her gaze appraisingly over the bike as Ivy tucked her phone away and dismounted. "Now don't tell me that's department issue."

"No," Ivy said, returning Dani's smile, "this lovely lady is all mine." With a soft laugh, Ivy ran her fingers lovingly over her leather seat.

"Lucky girl," Dani said with a wry grin as she locked eyes with the vampire.

Not knowing how to take the last comment, Ivy glanced over Dani's shoulder. "I'm confused," Ivy said as she read the small sign on the wall. "I thought you wanted me to meet you at your apartment. Isn't this where you teach?"

Dani laughed again as she gestured toward the building. "It's both. Come on, I'll show you." She led Ivy to a door at the far side of the brick building. Walking up the first flight of stairs, Dani paused at the landing. She pushed on the rail of the heavy metal door and held it open for Ivy.

The front of the building was brick, giving it a dark warehouse appearance. As Ivy stepped into the dance studio, she realized it was anything but. The rear of the building consisted of a wall of windows and railings, which flooded the studio with natural light. The floors were as she imagined them in her dream, a glossy hardwood, and they gave the expansive space a warm, rich feeling. The studio was mammoth. The original ceiling had been removed, opening it up so that it took up both floors, making it at least twenty feet from dance floor to the rafters. Ivy moved slow, taking in all the space as she walked over to the windows to look out at the city.

"This is amazing, but where's your apartment?" Ivy asked.

Dani pointed her finger toward the ceiling. "Right up there, behind that wall." Ivy looked more closely where Dani pointed. "It's a loft," Dani grinned, "follow me."

Dani led Ivy back out to the stairwell. They went up one more flight of stairs and stood before another metal door. Pushing on the bar, Dani turned to Ivy. "Welcome to my home."

Dani's loft was built behind the actual dance studio. There was a metal staircase that led down to an open floor plan of living room and kitchen. The walls were a worn red brick and the floor was concrete, so smooth and buffed that it shone in the late afternoon sunlight.

"Oh my God, you live here? This is incredible. I would never have guessed there was a loft in this place." Ivy said, eyes wide with surprise. They walked down the staircase and stood in the living room.

"Thanks," Dani said as she walked over to her kitchen counter. "The owner of the studio used to live here when I first started working for her. She was looking for something bigger and was going to put it up for rent. I got lucky and snatched it up before anyone else could." Dani crossed her arms over her middle and leaned against the counter. "I mean, it's a little cold and industrial, but I've added some personal touches. Not to mention, I can use the studio anytime I want, and I'll never be late for work." Dani set her keys on the counter and gestured toward the living room. "Take a look around if you like, Ivy. Jack's things are in my room. I'll be right back." Dani headed down a short hallway that led off from the kitchen and disappeared into her bedroom. Ivy turned toward Dani's small bookcase and walked over to look at her selection. Just like at Jack's, scattered among the books were small picture frames of Dani and her family, and some faces Ivy didn't recognize. While Jack's apartment was modern and sleek, Dani's was cluttered and yet had more of a homey feel. Ivy found it to be like Dani; warm and welcoming, and it made her comfortable to be there.

"Don't laugh at my library," Dani teased as she came out of her room with a small stack of journals. "It's mostly filled with my nursing books and some bad Sci-Fi paperbacks."

Ivy grinned as she picked up one of the books to read the back cover. "Science fiction, huh? I would have pegged you for turn of the century romance novels."

"Ugh, never," Dani grimaced as she walked to stand next to Ivy. "Give me action movies and outer space any day." Dani turned and set her brother's books on the small coffee table near her couch. "Don't get me wrong, I love a good love story every now and then. It's just that none of my relationships have ever even slightly resembled the stuff in those romance novels."

Ivy chuckled, setting the book back down on the shelf. "If only life had more happily ever afters, right?"

Dani sat on her couch, curling one leg beneath her, the smile still on her face, but her eyes showing a hint of sadness. "Yeah, I couldn't agree with you more."

"So Dani," Ivy began as she paced in front of the bookshelves. I recognize your brother Jack, but who is this in the picture next to him?" Ivy held the frame with the photo of Jack and Evelyn. The same picture she looked at the other day when she searched Jack's place.

Dani rose from the couch and walked over. "Which one? Let's see." Ivy handed her the frame and watched Dani's expression as she looked at the faces. "Oh, that's Jack's girlfriend Evelyn. They work together at the club." Dani carefully replaced the frame on the shelf and smiled nervously at Ivy. "I've never actually met her in person, but Jack talked about her so much, I feel like I do know her. Evelyn was the one who introduced Jack to Adam."

"So you never actually met his girlfriend?" Ivy asked, her eyebrow arched in disbelief.

"No. Jack kind of kept our time together separate from his work and social life. I mean, when we were together, it was just him and I. And the few times I went to meet him at the club; he would introduce me to Adam and a few of his other friends, but never to Evelyn. I always thought that since she was head of security and the club was always packed, she was just too busy to be bothered."

"Huh, I just thought with you being so close…" Ivy shrugged her shoulder slightly and took another step over. Crouching down to look at the lower shelf, she grabbed a frame that was partially pushed back behind a folder. "Ok, so who's this guy with you? Your boyfriend or one of Jack's friends from the club?" Ivy held up a picture of Dani with her arms around the waist of a rugged looking, chestnut haired man with big shoulders.

Dani leaned over, peering at the picture Ivy held in her hands. "Damn, I thought I got rid of all of those. I must have missed this one." Dani stood back up straight, put her hand on her hip. "Meet my ex, Will. I met him when I moved up here. He went to the college and we had a couple classes together. We dated for a few months, but things didn't work out. He wanted to spend more time together, and I didn't have more to give. Not with work and school." Dani sighed, looking at the picture. "He was nice though."

Ivy grinned apologetically as she set the frame back down and stood up. "Sorry about that."

"No big deal," Dani shrugged. "It's just another example of how unromantic my life is."

"There's nothing wrong with having priorities." Ivy said as she slowly started walking over to the coffee table and Jack's journals. "You two just got together at the wrong time in your life. We all have someone we wish we could have met at a different point in time." Ivy's thoughts flashed to Skimmer and her life in California. A life far away from Piscary and his plans for her. "May I?" Ivy asked, holding one of the journals.

"Sure. You can take them with you and look through them if you want. It's mostly just ideas Jack had for the club and some stuff about work. I couldn't find anything of interest from what I read." Dani reached into her jean's pocket. "Oh, I almost forgot. Here's the USB drive. Like I told you on the phone, it's all financial stuff from the club. I couldn't really make sense of it, but then again, Jack was always better with finances than I was." Dani looked down at the piece of plastic she held in her hand. "If it wasn't for him setting up my accounts and investing my money, I would never have been able to go to nursing school." Dani looked up and held the drive out to Ivy, who took it and placed it in her pocket.

"Thanks," Ivy said as she set the journal back down on the stack. "This is really a good start. I'll take a look at all this and see what I can find." She leveled her gaze and met Dani's green stare. "Don't beat yourself up over taking this out of his place. I'll make sure that it doesn't come back to bite you. Besides, we detectives at the IS are much more thorough investigators than those officers at the FIB. They probably just didn't look in the right places." Ivy said, the corners of her lips curving up into a sly smile.

A look of relief crossed Dani's face. "Thanks, Ivy. You don't know how much I appreciate everything. If there's anything I can do…"

"Well, that brings me to my next matter of business," Ivy said as she walked over to the couch and sat down. Dani walked over and sat next to her. "I mean it, really. What is it?" Dani said.

Ivy paused for a moment. "I spoke with Adam Sirio earlier this afternoon." She caught a flicker of fear in Dani's gaze before she blinked it away. Still capturing Dani's stare, Ivy continued. "He wants me to come to the club to speak with him. And, he wants me to bring you along."

Dani looked down at the cushions, her fingers nervously starting to play with a frayed piece of stitching. "Why does he want me to come?"

Ivy breathed in, the slight scent of fear coming from Dani told her to proceed carefully. "Did Adam try to reach you once before to talk to you about your brother?" Ivy asked, her voice calm and soft as she looked straight ahead and no longer directly at Dani.

Dani looked down at her lap, her hands tightly gripped together to stop her fidgeting, and nodded her head. "He did. He called a couple weeks after Jack went missing. He said he wanted me to come to the club so we could talk." Dani paused, swallowing hard. Ivy could hear a little click in the back of Dani's throat and realized something had freaked her out. Dani turned to face her, eyes pleading for understanding. "It was just the way he said it that scared me. It sounded like he thought I knew something and was trying to hold out on him, you know?"

Ivy sat there quietly and nodded her head in agreement, waiting for Dani to continue.

"So I told him I would have to get back to him on that. I told him I was swamped with school and exams and didn't have a free night. I couldn't tell him that Jack told me I shouldn't go to the club if he wasn't working. He loved the place, but he always told me that it was very risky for a single woman, a single human woman, to go to the Hydra alone."

"That's good advice," Ivy said as she leaned back, resting against the soft cushions of the couch.

"Yeah, well he's always trying to watch out for me," Dani said, her voice going from frightened to pissed off. "He should have been watching his own back."

"Well, you wouldn't be alone. You would be with me." Ivy said, cautiously. Dani looked sideways at the vampire next to her. "He said he just wants a word with you. Basically, he's not going to talk to me unless he gets to speak with you first."

"But I don't know anything. What does he want with me?" Dani asked, her eyes searching Ivy's for answers.

"That's what we have to try to find out." She reached out and touched Dani's arm. "I'll be right there with you the whole time. Nothing is going to happen to you, I promise." Dani looked down at her hands in her lap again and nodded.

"Come on," Ivy said as she stood and took one of Dani's hands in her own. "Think about it. You don't have to decide this minute." Dani looked up into Ivy's face, the look of worry slowly dissolving. Ivy's eyes flicked to their entwined fingers, and carefully pulled her hand back. "Um, why don't you walk me out? I'll bring this back to the office and take a look through everything."

Dani stood, a rush of heat coloring her cheeks. "Did you want me to take you over to Jack's place?"

Ivy shook her head. "No, this will keep me busy for a while." She gathered up the journals and began walking toward the staircase, Dani following next to her. "Thanks for the tour of the place, and thanks for all this. I'll be in touch." Ivy began climbing the stairs as Dani watched, her thoughts already on what she was going to tell Pendleton when she arrived at the station.

"Ivy?" Dani called out to her and Ivy stopped to turn and look down the staircase. "I'm really a lot tougher than I look. It's just that…"

"You don't have to explain. I know how scary vampires can be most times." Ivy kept her expression blank, but secretly hoped Dani didn't view her in the same light as Adam Sirio.

"Not all of you," Dani said, offering up a soft, swift smile. She held Ivy's gaze for several seconds, and then gave a small nod of her head. "I'll talk to you soon."