Another update. Kaen, Valen, Cayden, Ripp and Arbner are ours. Knives are mine. Everything else belongs to Naughty Dog.

Three days had passed since that weird lupper. Kaen had been subject to several lectures from everyone but the gardener, who seemed to readily approve. But that was of little importance. The fact of the matter was that she had not left the manor in days and had gone completely stir crazy.

"I need something to do!" she moaned to Valen as they sat down for breakfast. "Anything!"

The psychologist thought about it for a minute. "Well, you could go check on Black Ops today. I'm sure Cayden won't mind you popping in." The bodyguard had finally made peace with his employer.

She nodded, "Sure. I'll go after breakfast. I need to get out of this house."

--

Erol had to admit, he really owed Valen. His friend had done a phenomenal job covering for him. He'd have to find some way to repay him. Of course, it had still taken two all-nighters to get all of the accumulated paperwork done, but it was done. The Class Two race was fast approaching. He wished the race officials would space them out more; it would make life a lot easier for him, particularly this time around. After the Class Two was the Class One, and that meant he was about to hit a milestone.

He already had the ring…

--

Kaen entered Black Ops through one of the hidden entrances. The hallways were full of assassins, scientists, and god knows what else. As she passed, she greeted several top city officials and a judge. Ah, life in the Ops was sweet.

Her office was at the end of the corridor, almost completely unused. She unlocked the door and went inside, promptly locking it again. "Well, best get back to work," she said with a happy sigh, then began to order some new types of drugs.

--

Erol wandered aimlessly around, almost hoping to run into Arbner. It would be amusing to harass him, besides if he really pissed him off, he could kill the creep.

It was weird being back, particularly with so little to do, since there were no longer any subjects for the DWP. Praxis would probably want to talk to him about it soon… He sighed, that was a conversation he was far from looking forward to.

--

After and hour of work, Kaen called in one of her employees. "I want a cherry-cheese Danish and an Americano."

The man bowed, "Of course Miss Kaen. I'll be right back with that."

--

Erol contemplated heading down to the stadium, but decided against it. He didn't really feel like dealing with Keira, he never did anymore. It would most likely be better if he kept his presence within the palace.

The Black Ops agent Kaen had sent down for the food had briefly stopped to chat with a friend. "Heard about Miss Kaen?"

"Last I heard, she was missing. What, is there some new development?"

"Nah, well, sort of. She's actually upstairs in her office, working away like nothing happened. She's sent me downstairs for food."

"Really?"
"I know, eh? I'll talk to you later."

"Yep."

And the two parted ways.

Erol glanced over at the two men, it was hardly unusual for people to speak to each other, nor was it unusual to hear Kaen's name come up, but it caught his interest nonetheless.

The two other men walked away with a smile. Any idiot could see that that conversation had been scripted. If Erol went up to see her, Valen would be joyous and they would be one hundreds bucks richer.

The commander felt suddenly like heading up to go see her. It didn't seem like such a bad idea…

--

Kaen finally sent in her order for her lovely new mind altering substances. She checked her watch, why was that man taking so long? Feeling slightly irritated, she moved on to her hit list.

Somehow he'd managed to find her office, though he couldn't recall ever having been there before. He stood outside, suddenly doubting himself. What the hell was he doing?

"Hey! Who the hell are you?" one of the previously mentioned city officials snapped, "Wait – scratch that. What the hell are you doing here?"
"Nothing important," Erol said flatly.

The other man scowled, "Then why are you standing outside her Ladyship's door?"

"It's not a crime."

"It could be. Have you earned her favor? More over have you earned Cayden's favor?"

"Cayden's favor? Seems unlikely," he snorted, "Her? I've got plenty of her favor."

The door opened, "What in all the world is going on out here? I'm trying to plan the ruin of people's lives!"

"I'm sorry Miss," the official said, "But this ruffian…"

Erol rolled his eyes.

"Well then, if he offends you so, throw him out!" It was another one of those moments that Kaen didn't bother to look at the offender.

"I haven't done anything. It seems like my mere existence is offensive, but…" he shrugged, "If you want me to go…"

A moment later – and much to the shock of the official – Kaen's arms were around Erol's neck. "Why can I never recognize you when I'm working?"

"No idea. How've you been?"

"Good. Now I'm better, since you're here. Shall we go into my office? And how are you?"

"Not bad, not bad at all."

"And the answer to my other question?"

"Sure, why not?"

"Right." She nodded to the official, who shrugged and walked away. Satisfied, she dragged her boyfriend into the other room and closed the door, "So…"

"So…"

"I missed you."

"I missed you too. I forgot how boring life is when you're not around."

"Is that a complement or an insult? I hope that doesn't mean I'm making a fool of myself all the time."

"Compliment. Being around you is just…much more interesting than everyday life."

She grinned, "Then thank you. Being around you makes me happier, if it's any consolation."

"I think it is." He pulled her close to him, wrapping his arms around her.

"Good," she rested her head against his chest. She hadn't been lying when she said he made her happier.

He kissed her forehead muttering, "I love you," for no particularly good reason.

She blinked at the randomness of it. "Love you too."

He rubbed his nose against her neck, "Has Cayden planned my assassination yet?"

"No. He and I made a truce – he won't kill you and you won't live in the same house as me."

"Unless we did what Valen wants. Or would he still have a problem with us living together?"

Her face went blood red, "I – I – I don't know."

He kissed her, "I think I want to find out the answer to that…"

"Umm… Technically he'd have no choice. You'd be a member of my family and he'd have to serve you…" Why was he pursuing it so much? Not that she was complaining.

Erol laughed at the idea of Cayden having to listen to him. Just cause he was supposed to, didn't mean that he did.

"Rules are rules and Cayden knows it. You'd be amazed at the change. But first…I mean…we'd have to…you know…"

"Get married."

Her blush worsened. "Yeah. That." It was really awkward to talk about. Was he joking about it or was he serious?

He rubbed his nose against her neck again, "Relax. If you blush anymore you might spontaneously combust."

"Shut up! Not my fault! You made me!"

"I know," his lips brushed her forehead.

"Do you enjoy making me miserable?" she asked, words softened by her smiling.

"Not at all. I do, however, adore pestering you like this."
"God, I can't win! Now I will be forced to shut you up!"

"How do you intend to do that?"

She kissed him.

He offered her no resistance, returning it.

"There. I shut you up."

"Yes you did. Nice one." And he kissed her again.

She pulled him closer to her.

His lips brushed lightly against her neck.

"This is one of those times I'm glad this room isn't bugged."

"I didn't know it wasn't, but I'm glad it's not."

Her lips brushed his, "Like I said, so am I."

He nipped gently at the base of her neck, "How do you always manage to do this to me?"

"What do you mean?"

"Moments ago, doing this wasn't even on my mind, but now…" he nipped her neck again, ever so slightly harder.

"So I'm driving you insane?"

"Very much so."

She tangled her fingers in his hair, "Good."

He sighed, "Now I can't win."

"Even better."

His lips met hers, "Quit gloating."

"Fine. For now." She kissed his neck.

"Fair enough," he murmured, nipping at hers, again with a little more force.

At that moment the man who had gone and got the danish walked in upon the scene. He went slightly red as he watched them for a moment. Then he put the food down and backed out, closing the door behind him.

"Did you hear something?"

Kaen thought about it, "No. Did you?"

"I guess not."

"Mmm. On the other hand, I now have a danish and coffee, so obviously someone was here."

"Well that's awkward."

"Meh, whatever. Unless…"

"Unless…?"

"Cayden finds out."

"Should I start running now?"
"No – I'll protect you. I'm not sure I want you to leave yet."

He kissed her again, 'I don't feel like leaving either."

She returned the kiss. "On a different topic, when are you racing next?"

"Tomorrow, and then, barring some unforeseen failure, I'm going again the day after."

"Good, I might come see the Class One, if I won't distract you."

"You won't, it'll be nice for you to be there."

"Okay, I'll take the day off. It'll be nice to actually see you racing." She smiled; then abruptly stopped as a feeling hit her. It was one of pain, unbearable pain, and unending loss. An ache in her gut that made her want to vomit. And then it was gone, leaving her with only a ghostly memory.

"Kaen?" he tightened his arms around her and looked at her with concern, "Are you alright? You just sort of..." he trailed off, unsure how to describe how she'd just reacted.

It was just a feeling, she reminded herself. "It's nothing. Just one of my weird moments. Paranoia and all that."

"You sure?" He asked, unconvinced.

"Truthfully? No, not at all. But the more socially acceptable answer is, 'I'm fine.'"

"Social answers suck."

"It's just that… As strange as it sounds, it felt as if the day after tomorrow you were just going to," she paused, deciding how to put it, "to disappear."

"I'm not going to 'disappear' I promise."

"I know…it's just… Oh, I don't know. Don't listen to me - I'm just being irrational."

He rubbed her neck with his nose, "Sometimes irrational's good."

She curled up against him, "I know. What I'm more worried about is if it comes true. I mean, the chances of you leaving me or dying or something during the Class One are slim to none."

"Slim describes it best I think. It is a dangerous sport. Not as bad as a combat race, but still…it's up there."

"I just don't want to lose you. Not now."

"It's okay. I don't plan on leaving you, in any way." Quite the opposite, but she didn't need to know that, yet...

She tried to still herself, but the feeling wasn't going away. Actually, it was intensifying. Her lips brushed his neck as she tried to will it away.

He moved a hand to her hair and began to tangle his fingers in it. She was still worried about it, he could tell. What did you tell someone who had the feeling that you were no longer going to be a part of their life in two days?

The door burst open at that exact second to reveal a very angry Cayden. "What is he doing here?" the big man snarled.

Erol was surprised, but managed to compose himself quickly, "Spending time with my girlfriend?"

"Alone? With every single molecule melting together?"

Kaen rolled her eyes.

"Do you have a problem with that?" Erol asked in a strangely innocent tone. This was dangerous.

"Yes."

"Oh..."

"Now, unless you have something very important to do, I would advise you to release her."

"And if this is my definition of 'important...?'"

"Then you and I do not see eye to eye on what is moral and not."

"I'm not being immoral."

"Look slummer, I've tolerated it up until this point. But after that stunt you pulled a few days ago, I'm not so sure. From what Valen showed me…" Cayden stopped himself from going on.

Erol pulled his arms away from Kaen and crossed them over his chest, glaring at Cayden. What the hell was he doing? Dangerous didn't seem to describe this anymore...

The other man took a few steps towards the couple. "You know, Miss Kaen asked why I hated you so much, why I couldn't seem to see any good in you. Because I can't. Just like I couldn't see any good in Ripp. I don't know if it's tradition or my own morals speaking, but I don't think either of them should be marrying slummer boys! They are meant for people who deserve them!"

"You just can't stand this being out of your control!" Erol snapped.

"I don't want her to get hurt! You're a womanizer! You're a racer! Your parents were born and raised in the slums, just like you! Kaen is born for a world of riches, parties and power! True, you did stick up for her in the Arbner incident, but I just can't trust you!"

"The feeling's mutual."

Kaen tried to decide whether or not it was worth getting involved. They'd have to sort it out sooner or later, but if she didn't intervene Erol could go all moody again. After a moment of pondering, she finally decided to keep her mouth shut, unless called upon.

Cayden on the other hand would not shut up. "At least I have a sense of duty! How do we know that you'll stay true to Miss Kaen? She's - no offense - a bit hard to deal with sometimes. Maybe one day you'll decide you need a break, a permanent one."

"I've make that mistake before! And I'm never making it again." He was not going to let Cayden push him around.

"Really? Really? Once was enough to break my trust forever! And you know what report has just arrived on my desk? Who's running around the streets once more?"

Erol raised an eyebrow at the huge man.

Kaen answered for him. It wasn't hard to guess. "Arbner."

"And you're pinning that on me how?"

Again Kaen answered, "Because you had a chance to kill him and didn't." She was having trouble not talking now.

"Sorry for being more worried about you."

She smiled and touched his cheek, "I'm just saying what Cayden's thinking. Personally I'm rather glad that I didn't die in that cell."

Erol smirked at her, "Me too."

Cayden glared at him, "Look Erol. I don't seem to be getting through to you. I don't know if I'll ever get through to you. But when I come back here in an hour, you have left. Or else I will personally see your departure through an open window."

"Fine."