"That's it?" Fujiko said shrilly. "You got a jade pot filled with red thread?"

The gang was gathered around a low table in the front room of the safehouse. Moonlight streamed through the bay window, its pale light blending perfectly with the warm glow of the chandelier. The furniture here, unlike the rest of the hideout, was marginally tasteful. Lupin and Fujiko were each sitting in overstuffed chairs covered in dusty blue fabric. Jigen lounged on the similarly-coloured sofa, a smouldering cigarette in one hand. Goemon, of course, sat on the hardwood floor in the Lotus position, Zantetsu-ken tucked into the crook of his elbow. At Fujiko's complaint, he frowned.

"It is saffron," he said, glancing at the small, jade pot, which sat on the table before them. "The most valuable spice in the world."

Fujiko curled one lip. "A spice?" She looked at Lupin, her expression one of disbelief and disgust. "Your reward was a jar full of spice?"

Alexis came in from the kitchen carrying a tray of drinks. "D'you mind if I take a look at that, Lupin?" she asked, setting the tray on the table.

Lupin shrugged. "Go ahead, Bluebird. After all, you're the chef around here." He picked up the pot as Alexis handed out drinks. "Seems awfully heavy for just a jar full of spice, doesn't it?" he mused.

Alexis smiled quietly and pulled a soft-bristled toothbrush from her pocket before settling on the sofa next to Jigen. She took the pot from Lupin and emptied the contents out onto the tray. Everyone watched her movements: Jigen's eyes were narrowed; Goemon looked only vaguely interested; Fujiko was sulking; Lupin was openly curious. As the saffron spilled onto the tray, something else rolled out:

A Fabergé egg.

Lupin blinked. "What the --?"

Fujiko leaned forward. "Oh, my God --"

Jigen scratched his head under his hat and took a long drag from his cigarette. "I'll be damned."

Goemon frowned. "Was that your plan all along?" he said, his expression dark.

Alexis laughed lightly and set the egg aside. "Don't be foolish, Goemon; I'm not psychic. I couldn't know that Wakahisa would give this to Lupin." She started to refill the pot. "No, I just put the egg in the saffron jar so that it would be 'missing' long before I actually stole it." She fitted the lid back onto the pot and set it in front of Lupin. "Classic diversion technique. I'm just lucky that Wakahisa didn't give the jar to Zenigata." She stuck out her tongue and picked up the egg once more.

Lupin grinned. "Well-played, Bluebird," he said with a laugh. "You deserve it, for taking a chance like that." He ran a finger over the intricately-carved pot. "This'll make a nice ornament, at least," he said. "And I hear that saffron is very tasty when it's cooked properly." He winked at Alexis, who brushed some loose threads from the egg and chuckled softly.

"All right," she said agreeably. "Since you're letting me keep this little trinket, I'll make paella Valenciana and Cornish saffron cakes tomorrow for lunch." She smiled at Lupin. "Fair enough?"

Lupin nodded. "Good deal," he said, stretching. "Well, it's been a busy night; I guess I'll turn in." He stood up and plucked a thread of saffron from his shirt, dropping it on the table.

Fujiko sighed. "Me too," she said, as Lupin looked hopefully at her. "There's nothing here worth staying up for." She flounced out of the room. Lupin's lip wobbled as he watched her head up the stairs.

"She's so mean to me," Lupin whined. Alexis grinned, and Jigen snorted into his drink.

Goemon unfolded himself and rose to his feet in one smooth movement. "I, too, will retire." His face was pale and wan, but he held himself erect. "Good night." He bowed slightly to Alexis, and added softly, "Thank you."

Alexis smiled after him as he, too, headed upstairs.

"Wow." Jigen lifted the brim of his hat with one finger. "That was friggin' unexpected."

Lupin nodded. "You can say that again." He looked after Goemon until the samurai had disappeared from view. "He looks like hell. If he doesn't spend the next three days sleeping, I'm going to drug him myself."

Jigen smirked and drew another lungful of smoke. Alexis laughed lightly. "Good night Lupin," she said with a smile. "Sleep well."

"You too, Bluebird." Lupin stretched once more. "'Night, Jigen."

Jigen nodded and leaned back, his arms stretched out over the back of the sofa. Blue smoke curled above his head. "'Night, boss."

Lupin climbed the stairs and vanished into the upper hallway. Alexis picked up the toothbrush and started cleaning tiny bits of saffron from the outside of the egg, working the soft bristles between the enamel and the outer filigree. Jigen tilted his hat back slightly and watched her for a moment before speaking.

"So, that really is the reason you stayed in Japan," he said. His voice was low and surprisingly gentle.

Alexis paused in her work and looked over at him. "Mostly," she replied. "I couldn't steal the egg without causing more trouble for you." At Jigen's raised eyebrow, Alexis smiled weakly. "For all of you." She blushed faintly and returned to her ministrations.

There was a long pause as Jigen watched her work. At last, he dug into his pocket and produced an envelope. He turned it over in his hands, then tossed it onto the table. Alexis flinched. She glanced at the letter, then continued to work the toothbrush over the delicate ornament.

"Why did you take it?" she murmured.

Jigen shrugged and drew on his cigarette. "I wanted --" He stopped, then shook his head and chuckled softly. "I don't friggin' know." He looked thoughtfully at her. "Maybe I wanted a reason to stop running," he said. Alexis drew a slow, deep breath as Jigen lifted his head and looked out the window. "Maybe I wanted to take a little piece of you with me."

Alexis swallowed thickly. "Why give it back?"

Jigen closed his eyes. "'Cause maybe it's too late," he mumbled into his drink. Alexis looked sharply at him as he leaned forward and set his empty glass on the coffee table. "Look, angel, I --"

He was interrupted by the sound of raised voices in the upstairs hall.

"But I waaaaaaant it!" Fujiko whined. "It's so pretty!"

Lupin groaned loudly. "C'mon, Fujicakes! Think of all the work we did just to get Goemon out of this mess!"

"I don't care!" There was a loud noise, as though someone wearing high heels had stamped her foot on the floor. "I want it!"

"But flowers die!" Lupin protested. "How about a nice emerald, instead?"

"No!" Fujiko stamped her foot again, and the whole house seemed to shake. "I want the Tokyo Rose!"

In the front room, Jigen rolled his eyes and looked pointedly at Alexis.

"Whose friggin' idea was it to bring her in on this?" he demanded.

Alexis blushed and busied herself with the Fabergé egg.

"A ruby?" Lupin suggested helplessly. "Sapphire? Diamond?"

Fujiko's voice was so piercing, both Alexis and Jigen had to cover their ears.

"Lupiiiiiin!"

-fin-