River watched as the Merc, walked into Chubby Buffalo's. She walked with a confident stride, her high heels clicking again the floor. She was dressed in a black mini skirt and red Bardot style top that was ruched around her breasts, showing off her toned abs.

Heads turned as she breezed past tables towards him. "Are you River?"

Detective Han nearly lost his jaw at the sight of her. She was an attractive woman, all leg and long blonde hair. "That I am."

Detective Han slipped out of the booth. "I'll leave you to it."

V took a seat and shouted to the waitress for a coffee. "Thanks for meeting me."

"Sure." He shrugged. "So I'm here. Talk."

V took a sip of the coffee that the waitress put in front of her. "You wanted to talk to Rhynes muscle. Why?"

"Why are you so interested?"

"Do you always answer a question with another question?"

"I'm a cop. What do you expect?"

V sighed. "I'm working for the Elizabeth Peralez."

"The wife of our presumed Mayor." River chuckled lowly. "Shoulda' seen that comin'."

"So, you gonna help me or not?"

"My car's outside. Let's go for a drive." River was already out of the booth before he finished his sentence.

V had regretted her choice of clothing as she sat in River's car, trying desperately to stop her skirt riding up. What a helluva day to forgo the underwear! She could feel his eyes on her, and it was doing something to her. It wasn't at the level that Jefferson Peralez had reached but she felt an ache in her groin.

"Fuck me, V. Get a fuckin' joytoy or somethin'." Johnny appeared in the seat behind River. "First you got wet for the politician and now you're all hot and bothered over a fuckin' cop?"

"Shut up, Johnny. It's been two years since I've had sex." She snapped. "If you were real, I'd be desperate enough to fuck you."

"Now that is a good reason to get me a body." Johnny slung his legs up on the back seats. "He's got his eyes on your thighs. At least he's got taste."

"So what happened with Peter Horvath?" She asked River.

"He was picked up but someone at the precinct let him go just before the attack."

"So you suspect someone in the NCPD was in on it?"

River hummed. "I don't want to think that, but I can't shake the feeling."

"There was a mention of Red Queen's race. What is it?"

"I'm not sure. I'll dig up some information and get back to you."

"Can you drop me off? I gotta meet my fixer."

"Sure. I'll let you know what I can dig up."

V got out of the car before turning back to River. "Thanks, River. I think there is something worth investigating here."

"I'm glad you agree, V."

After meeting with the fixer, V got back home ready for some quiet time. She planned to eat crap and watch TV for the rest of the day. After the 5th episode of Watson Whore. She decided to have a shower. She had just started to pull her top over her head when her phone pinged with a new message.

She groaned, picking up the phone as she caused whoever it was texting her.

[Hi V. Can we meet?]

Butterflies raged through her stomach and somewhere in her mind Johnny made retching noises.

[Where?]

[Somewhere secluded.]

[I've sent you some co-ordinates. We won't be seen there.]

"10 eddies says you fuck this guy before the sun comes up."

"Fuck off, Johnny. You'd get off on watching."

"Never said I wouldn't."

V drove out into the Badlands and onto the destroyed bridge near Laguna Bend.

When she pulled up, there was already a car parked up. She stopped a little way down and checked her phone.

[Flash your lights so I know it's you.]

V did what he asked, and he flashed his back.

Pulling up the car next to his, she stepped out and gave the area one last scan before getting into Jefferson's car.

"Thank you for meeting me."

"What's wrong?" V reached out and clutched his arm. "You seem on edge."

"I woke up last night about 3am and I thought I heard Elizabeth talking to someone."

"Ok. Could you hear what was said?"

Jefferson shook his head. "No, I couldn't make out any words."

"So, what is the problem?"

He pulled out his phone and started some footage he had taken the night previous. "See that there?"

"The fuck? Either you've got ghosts or a stalker."

"I feel like I'm losing my mind, V."

"I could come over, check the place out."

"I'd be very grateful if you could." He shakily reached out a hand and ran his fingers through her hair. "I've spent years feeling nothing, but around you I feel everything."

"Kiss me." V didn't know what possessed her to say that, but she didn't have time to regret it because he was on her barely a millisecond after she finished speaking.

Her lips were as soft as he imagined they'd be. So sweet tasting and her tongue worked insistently on his. It wasn't how he intended his meeting with her to go but he couldn't find it in him to regret what he was doing.

There was something about kiss that sent an ache in her groin. He was tender yet fierce and she was all for it. She needed to be kissed like that.

They pulled apart breathless. "Join me in the backseat."

He watched as she climbed over the seats to the back. He groaned when he realised she wasn't wearing any underwear. Once he climbed into the back seat she was back on him, straddling his lap and kissing him hungrily.

"V, what the fuck are you doing?" Johnny yelled from the front seat.

It was enough to pull her from the lustful haze that she was trapped in. She pulled away and flopped down into the seat. "Fuck, that shouldn't have happened. I should go."

"V, wait." Jefferson called after her, but she was already in her car and quickly pulled away. He was so angry with himself for putting her in that position. He needed her help, and he didn't want to jeopardise their working relationship.