9:

As Annie's watch ticked to nine PM, she found herself curled up on the floor. Jing lay next to her, his arms around her soft stomach.

"Annie, tell me about your mother." He said suddenly.

"My mother?"

"I've always wanted to know what it was like to have one." He said this as if he were talking about a train set or a bicycle. "What was yours like?"

"Short and round." Answered Annie. "Like me, but I've always heard that I got my father's face."

"Hmmm."

"Her passion was animals. She worked as a vet before she had me. She bought me lots of animal books." She felt Jing's hand close around hers, which was resting near her head.

"I don't remember my mother's face." He said. "I don't even have a picture."

Annie rolled over. "We had three dogs, but after she died, my father got rid of them. I think they reminded him of her too much."

"I had an iguana for two years but he got loose and I never saw him again." Jing's face was close enough that she could see him. "Annie, there was something I wanted to tell you. Something I was going to tell you at the restaurant. That's why I asked you out to lunch." He was playing with her hair again.

Annie's heart slid into her throat. His other hand was resting between her shoulder blades and only then did she remember that she was only wearing her bra. Her pain in the ass bra that bit her under the breasts and left deep red grooves in her skin. Annie felt her face grow hot as she knew the tops were bulging out of the cleavage. She tried to push them back into the cotton but they sprung back out.

"Annie, I'm in l-"

The door at the top of the stairs opened and light came into the cellar. Annie scrambled up and grabbed her shirt from underneath Jing and wrapped it around her torso like a towel.

One of the Tigers, the one who had teased Annie with the keys walked down the steps. "Well, isn't this cozy!" He sneered. "Want me to bring you some rubbers?"

Jing flipped him off. Annie pulled her shirt over her head. It felt cold, damp and grimy.

The Tiger stood to the side, letting another one who was walking down the stairs see. "There they are." He said proudly. "Old man Yenrai will probably give up half of Mars to get these two back."

Annie could vaguely make out the other Tiger with the light from the door shining behind him. What she could tell was that he was old, much older than his companion. His white hair was soft and wavy and he had a mustache that circled down to the corners of his mouth. He seemed frail, which is why it took Annie by surprise when he turned to the first Tiger and hit him hard.

Shouting in Spanish, he continued to beat the younger Tiger, who held his hands over his head for protection.

When he was done, he took the cell keys and unlocked the door. Annie scrambled backward, trying to get away. "Leave us alone!" She demanded.

"Calm down, Child." He said. "I'm not going to hurt either of you." He looked directly at Jing. "For a moment I thought I was looking at your mother, rest her poor soul."

Jing startled. "You knew my mother?"

The old man bent down so they could see his face. Annie almost gasped. He had Jing's eyes.

Annie still felt stunned as she sat next to Jing, a rice and bean casserole steaming before them. They were in a dining room, much larger than the one the Red Dragons had. The old man was next to Jing at the end of the table.

Jing, oddly enough, seemed to have gotten past the news quicker. Annie had thought for sure he would've been as shell-shocked as she was, but he just stared at the old man.

"My father never told me that my grandfather was a White Tiger," He said flatly. "Much less a leader."

"Yes, it was quite sudden when your mother and father eloped, though not a shock." Said the Tiger, who had introduced himself as Damián. "She had been dating him for eight months before I found out. Of course as soon as I knew, I forbade her from ever seeing him again. She locked herself in her room for three days. Then on the fourth morning, we found the door open. She left nothing behind but a note to her brother and a positive pregnancy test beside it."

Jing did a spit take. "You mean they 'had' to get married?" He cried incredulously.

"Well, I'm sure they didn't have to. In this day and age no one has to," Said Damián. "But, as much as I hate to admit it, your father is an honorable man who always does right by a woman." He sighed. "Your mother always hated the White Tigers, though. Even as a little girl."

"Can't say I blame her." Said Jing stiffly.

"I supposed you can't, after all, growing up a Dragon you…"

Jing's eyes flashed but he kept his voice calm. "I am not a Dragon," He said. "Nor a Tiger. I hate being part of a syndicate. I'd rather just live a normal life without worrying about drug deals and blackmail and what I have to do to keep from being shot." He paused. "Or kidnapped."

Damián pressed his lips together until they were thin. "It was never any intention of mine to have you kidnapped. That was Guy…And he's an idiot."

So the Tiger with the keys was Guy, Thought Annie. She could see why Chan didn't like him.

Jing was wiping where he had expectorated tea. It was Annie who spoke next. "Tell us about Jing's mother." Jing raised his brows at her in surprise.

Damián began to look like he was lost in a daydream. He stared blankly ahead. "Oh Ema," He said. "My little Pelusa del Melocotón. A sweeter child I have yet to meet. She was very much a girly girl with bows and ruffles and lace…" He paused and pushed a button on his chair for his plate to be taken away. "But that was when she was younger. As a teen, she gave up all those things, as little girls do I suppose, and began to write. She wanted very much to be a published poet. That's how she met your father."

A servant wheeled in a tray and took the empty dishes, replacing them with plates of cake and more tea.

"I don't understand." Said Annie. She sliced a piece of cake with her fork and bit it. It was coffee flavored.

"Ema attended a poetry class at a university not long after she graduated from high school. And it was in this class that she met a bored student named Mao Yenrai, who was taking it to get a credit for his degree.

"They were inseparable. They did everything together, even though Mao's best friend was being groomed to be a powerful syndicate leader for the Red Dragons." He sat back. "They were star crossed lovers, I suppose, cliché as it may sound. A romance that was never meant to be."

Jing hadn't touched his cake. "So what now? Are you going to let us go? Or are we collateral?"

Damián folded his hands under his chin and set his elbows on the table. "Nineteen years." He said. "Nineteen years, and I have only seen my one grandchild once. Now you're here at last. Jing," He stood up. Walking over to Jing, he bent down and grasped his shoulders. "Your mother has come to life once again. She lives in you, through you."

Jing slid his eyes over to Annie, who shrugged.

"Stay here."

"What?" Both Annie and Jing chorused.

"Both of you. Live here with the White Tigers."

"But…"

Damián cut him off. "Stay with the Tigers, and I'll never deny you anything! Money, cars, your own ship, anything you can imagine!"

Jing pulled away. "I'm not interested in money or cars or my own ship!"

"Then what? Just name it, and I will deliver it to you on a silver platter, if only you stay here!"

Jing looked down at his lap. "Well, I have always wanted to own my own store. Nothing huge, just like a convenience store or something…"

"Jing!" Annie cried, flabbergasted. Was he actually considering leaving Mao and the other Red Dragons?

Jing looked up. "I can't leave my father though!"

"But he killed your mother!"

"I know…" Jing paused. "But he's still my father. I'm sorry." He shook his head. "I just…can't."

Damián opened his mouth. But whatever he had to say was interrupted by a loud explosion, following by shouting and banging. Damián stood up and rushed to the doors, pulling them open. "What the hell is going on out here?" A gunshot flew over his head and he ducked. Suddenly, someone shoved past him and into the room, knocking the old man to the floor.

"Spike?" Annie cried as the teen jumped onto the table and ran across it. He jumped behind her. He yanked her out of her seat by the hand.

"Come on, we gotta go! Now!" She and Jing followed him as he led the way out of the room.

"Vicious is holding them off, but I don't know for how long!"

"Where is everyone else?" Jing called as the trio started running.

"Right here!"

"Wait a second!" Annie snapped. "You came alone? You moron, what were you thinking…"

"Hit the deck!" Spike yelled. She and Jing fell to the floor, just in time to see Spike shoot at some Tigers. As they fell to the side, they stood back up and began to run again.

The end of the corridor wasn't far, and Spike had them stop just before they reached it. "Let me go first." He ordered. "It might be a trap."

As he snuck out, Jing turned to Annie. "Annie, we might die tonight, and I need to tell you something I've wanted to say since the day we met!" He said quickly, then blurted out, "I'm in love with you!"

Annie was stunned speechless. All she could do was allow Jing to give her her first kiss.

"All clear…" Annie jerked away from Jing as Spike stood there smirking. "I knew you liked him!"

Annie punched him in the shoulder. "Shut up!"

"Shh!" Jing waved his hands. He peeked out of the room, then nodded to the others.

They followed him out silently running into a large entrance hall decorated like a hotel lobby. Even in the shadows (Someone had shot out the lights out), Annie could see it was much fancier than the cold white Red Dragons foyer.

Spike stopped in front of the escalator. "I don't see Vicious. He was supposed to meet us here."

As soon as he said it, there was an eruption above their heads. Vicious ran down the still steps, shooting over his shoulder. Several Tigers were behind him, supplying bullets of their own.

"Come on!" Annie, Jing, and Spike ran to the giant glass double doors. Jing and Spike were already outside when Annie turned.

"Vicious, what are you doing?" She screamed. "Let's go!"

The white haired teen was at a stand still with a Tiger, their weapons pointed at each other. The Tiger was Guy. Blood from a cut on his forehead ran down Vicious's face as he glared. Guy shot, and as Vicious ducked the bullet nicked his shoulder, spraying blood.

Annie grabbed Jing as he and Spike came back in. "He's going to get himself killed!"

Vicious was shaking painfully as he tried to stand. He aimed with his uninjured arm, the one he wasn't used to using.

Guy tried to shoot again, but there was nothing but a hollow click. He tossed the gun away and ran to a fallen Tiger to grab his gun. He was two feet away when the bullet from Vicious's weapon hit him in the waist.

Rolling on the floor, Guy looked up into the glowering face of Vicious, the muzzle of his gun aimed at the Tiger's forehead.
Suddenly, a hand wrenched Vicious's wrist. "Stop it! Leave him be!" Vicious was suddenly staring into the angry face of Mao. "Let's go."

It was a bedraggled, bleeding crew that sat in the back of Mao's car. "How'd you know we snuck out?" Asked Spike.

"I had a feeling you were planning something when you and Vicious said you wanted a sleepover." Mao was sullen as he turned left. "A sleepover for two fourteen year old boys. How gullible do you think I am?"

"So you followed us?"

Mao continued as if he hadn't heard. "I told you not to get involved. I told you that we were working on a plan."

"Working." Vicious snorted. "And while you were working on yours, we were doing ours."

The car screeched to a halt. "Yours?" Mao turned and pierced them all with an incensed glare. "Two teenagers running into enemy territory armed with nothing but three guns, two smoke grenades, a RPG and a penknife is not a plan! It's stupidity!" He started the car again. "You're lucky you weren't killed." He looked into the mirror at Annie and Jing. "Nor they. And by the way, I want the RPG you stole from my cabinet back. It was my father's."

Annie felt Jing's arm around her shoulder. She felt very sleepy and his shoulder was comfortable…

Annie awoke in her bed. Was everything that happened a dream? Just a bad dream?

Voices came from outside the room; Annie could see the door open a crack and she climbed off the mattress. She peered through the split into the living room.

"…I want your blessing."

"Jing…"

"I'm going to ask her anyway," Jing interrupted. "Whether you give your permission or not. But…" He paused. "I'd really appreciate it."

"You're so young."

"You were the same age when you married Mom!" Jing glowered. "And at least Annie isn't pregnant."

Behind the door, Annie forced herself not to gasp at Jing's smart mouth.

Mao scowled. "You met Damián didn't you? That bastard." He collapsed on the sofa next to Vicious, who had his shirt off. A large gray bandage covered his shoulder and he had pulled his hair into a ponytail, revealing a Band-Aid on his forehead.

On the floor under him, Spike was playing with a Bruce Lee action figure. It was hard to believe that a few hours ago, he had killed members from a rival syndicate. Right now, sitting Indian style, he looked like a young kid. Annie had to remind herself that he was.

"Why didn't you tell me that my grandfather was a Tiger?"

"Why bother?" Answered Mao. "I never thought you would see him. It didn't matter…"

"It matters to me!" Jing interrupted angrily. Vicious and Spike looked at him in surprise.

Mao didn't look at his son. Instead he stared at the coffee table. "Did he tell you about the last time he saw your mother?"

Jing looked puzzled. "No…"

"I suppose he didn't tell you then that after she left the Dragons, she went to him and asked for White Tiger protection. Not for her, but for you. And I suppose he didn't tell you that he refused."

So that's why Damián wanted Jing to stay! Thought Annie. He felt guilty!

Jing was cradling a cup of tea in his hands now. "I hate syndicates. All of them." He muttered.

"I know. You're just like your mother."

"It's not the first time I've heard that tonight." Jing looked up. "So do I have your blessing to marry Annie or not?"

Annie had to clap her hand over her mouth to keep from squealing.

"Of course you do." Mao sighed "I've always hoped you would marry her. She is…like a daughter to me. I knew you loved her. From the first night Chan carried her in unconscious and you couldn't stop staring at her, all limp and bruised in his arms. From when you insisted on carrying her dinner to her room and when you begged me to let you take her to that carnival. But I didn't want to push you. I just hope you know what you're doing, asking her at your age."

"I do." Jing stood and wiped his hands on his pants. "I'm going to propose first thing in the morning…"

Annie banged the door open. "I accept!" She yelled. She nearly tripped running to Jing and tackled him onto the couch.

Spike stood up. "Congratulations."

Vicious nodded and echoed, "Congratulations." Spike suddenly frowned.

"I'm not going to have to be the bridesmaid am I?" He winced as Annie raised her hand like she was going to smack him. Instead, she grabbed him and gave him a noogie on his fuzzy green head. Laughing, he pushed her away.

There was a knock on the door and it opened. "Anyone home?"

Annie jumped up. "Chan! Chan, you're alive!"

Chan smiled and walked into the apartment. "You think that chaw hai could bring me down?" He proudly showed his arm, wrapped in a sling. "Can't shoot worth a damn. So," He sat down in an armchair. "What's going on?"

Jing took Annie's hand. "We're getting married."

Chan looked as if Jing had just told him the weather report. "Finally."

"Chan!" Mao hissed.

"You know," Spike said contemplatively. "That's means I'm going to have to move out."

"Not necessarily," Said Jing. "Annie, you know 'McHill's?'"

"The old ice cream shop where we used to get floats?" She asked, furrowing her brow. "Jing, that's been closed since Christmas! Ever since Old Man McHill died!"

Jing smiled and put his hand on her knee. "I know. And it's for sale…"