Thanks to Jynx101 & Kari Nirvash for reviewing!

Jackie rubbed his temples tiredly, feeling the effect of staying away for a full two days take its toll. At first, he felt energetic and ready to do anything. Then, slowly as he entered his 48th hour of no sleep, he felt drowsy. His body had been used to such a thing several years ago but since he hadn't been helping Section 13, he wasn't used to staying up so much.

His search was for his 17 year old niece, Jade. He had searched the sewers all the way to sky scrapers for her but not even a piece of hair came up from his search. A soft smile flashed on his weary face. Remembering just how spunky Jade was, even as a child, he knew she'd be alright. He had taught her for months and years how to keep calm and fight if needed to. Actually, Jackie thought, she knew how to fight before he taught her. If she hadn't copied the moves from T.V., then she had to have been spying on him.

"Jackie…" A stern familiar voice reached his ears. He did not turn to see who was approaching him, instead he did something much more useful of his time; he kept searching on the computer. "Jackie, you need to rest."

"Not now Black." His tone was sharper than he intended. "I need to find Jade."

Fingers that typed furiously at one time stopped when he heard a gentle yet commanding voice next to him. "…Jackie, when we find her and you're exhausted, you won't be any use to us; to Jade. Sleep for a few hours, I'll try to pinpoint possible locations." Closing his eyes, Jackie inwardly sighed. As much as he hated to agree with the man, he was right. Lately he felt his friendship with Black strain since he insisted they couldn't give up the magic rocks.

Despite his spirit being wide awake, his body stood up on its own as if yearning for sleep. It moved without his mind ordering it to, walking towards the door. The idea of a bed made him grin ever so slightly.

The distance between Jackie and the computer became an even twelve feet when it started beeping wildly. Both men froze in anticipation and suspense. "What did you type in for the computer to search for?" Black questioned out of no where, making it obvious that he was staring at the computer.

Jackie answered, "Old hide outs that Valmont used. Why?"

When he turned on his heels, he suddenly realized why the man had asked such a thing. Their first hide out ever was glowing on the screen, pointing out where there was human activity at. Jackie felt like he couldn't breathe, inhaling sharply. "Thank God…" He muttered quietly.

Jade gave a soft yawn, resisting the urge to curl up under the covers of Valmont's bed and sleep. She had been waiting for two or three hours already, waiting to hear the verdict of the meeting. It made sense to her that if they did set up a meeting again, she wouldn't be able to come. After all, she tried to escape the first time and Valmont had the bruise to prove it.

Walking back and forth was usually called 'pacing'. But in her mind, it was walking to relieve anxiety. How she hated to wait! Shaking her head rather violently, she growled softly. What if Black and Jackie didn't care about her enough to set up another meeting? They hadn't cared before…Frowning, she made a fist.

That fist was about to connect to the door when it opened. Instead of connecting with whoever opened it, another hand got in the way; fingers wrapped around her fist and stopped her. When she opened her eyes, she blushed to see Valmont looking at her questioningly.

A sheepish grin overcame her face and for one moment, Jade felt like she was twelve years old again. The man grinned to ease her nervousness, his blue eyes holding something…some sort of emotion.

"Still violent, aren't you Ms. Chan?" Valmont's silk like voice reached her ears, giving her the shivers. It wasn't meant as an insult, more like an observation. She knew she had a temper.

Shrugging, she pulled away and asked as though they were old friends, "Did my uncle agree to the meet?"

He nodded, the cane in his hands taping on the floor. "Yes, we'll be meeting at the tower tomorrow. The one where he almost turned to stone." There was a ghost of a smirk on his lips. "And what I mean by 'we'…"

"Is you and your gang, I figured." Jade finished his thought.

"Actually I'm staying here to watch you. Now…I assume you are hungry." He held out his arm, offering. "Dinner will be served within a few minutes; care to join me?"

What she should have done was slap him or shout a curse word or two along with the word 'no'. What she should have done was kick him or try to run in vain. And yet, she did not do any of those. Instead, she wrapped her arm around his.

He was warm despite his icy blue eyes. She smiled at this, mentally noting that not all books can be judged by their appearance. The old saying was true.

Next chapter: Jackie meets the Enforcer's at the tower, thinking of memories. Jade and Valmont have dinner, and then spend the rest of the night together by talking. He lied to her; the meeting was that night, not tomorrow. That's why he's trying to distract her. Review please