This chapter is set on a train and has more of Apollo and Kristoph interacting. Hijinx ensue. Hope you enjoy!

Also, forgive my limited knowledge of trains. I've only been on one twice, so I'm basically going off what I've seen in shows and games. The one I'm thinking of specifically is like an episode of the show The Big Bang Theory.

Chapter 2 – Three Days on Board

When Clay and Phoenix were out of sight, Apollo and Kristoph found a place to sit at one of the booth-style tables. As they sat, Kristoph gave his apprentice a small smile.

"So, Apollo, this is your first time going to New York, right?" he asked.

"Yes, Mr. Gavin," Apollo replied, "In fact, this is my first time on a train." Kristoph sighed slightly and shook his head.

"Apollo, I told you. When we're not working call me Kristoph," he said.

"Sorry, Mr. Gavin," Apollo said. That earned him another sigh.

Kristoph looked out the window for a few moments, watching the scenery go by before turning back to Apollo. "It's going to be a long journey," he noted, "I hope you brought something to entertain yourself."

"Bored already, sir?" Apollo teased with a grin, "Don't worry, I brought an entire bag of stuff to do. Books to read, games to play." Kristoph nodded.

"Very good," he said, "I had to bring a bunch of case files and notes to look over before the meeting which is going to be excruciatingly boring. I also have to review the other attorney's works which will also be quite dull. I probably should've gotten it done before this, but I must admit that I procrastinated quite a bit."

For some reason Apollo found the thought of his boss procrastinating on anything because he found it boring to be rather amusing and couldn't help but let out a small laugh. He gave a sheepish grin to Kristoph.

"I also brought a deck of cards if there's a game you want to play," he suggested. Kristoph smiled back at him.

"Anything but poker," he replied.

For the first two hours of the ride Kristoph quietly looked over the files while Apollo played a game on his 3DS. No words were spoken between them during that time until Kristoph closed the folder with a huff.

"I'm bored," he announced. Apollo looked up at him with surprise.

Before he could say anything though, Kristoph's phone started ringing. Kristoph fished it out of his pocket, looked at the caller ID, and sighed lightly.

"Hello, Phoenix," he greeted.

"Kristoph! When are you coming home? I miss you!" Phoenix whined on the other end.

"Already? It's only been about two hours," Kristoph pointed out, glancing quickly at his watch.

"Yes. And I miss you," Phoenix replied, "I don't know what to do with myself. Today is my day off and Trucy is having a sleepover with one of her friends so I'm all alone."

Kristoph frowned slightly. "I'm sorry," he said sincerely, "If I had known I would've changed the reservations. Will you be all right on your own?"

"Yeah, I guess," Phoenix sighed, "I'm not trying to guilt trip you or anything. I know how important this thing is and we've known about it for a while. I guess I just have abandonment issues or something."

Tapping his finger on the table, Kristoph's frown deepened. "Do you have any other friends you can call and hang out with?" he asked. He heard Phoenix grumble something.

"I guess I could call Larry," he answered eventually, "He'll probably just want to get drunk and talk about girls the whole time. I guess he's better than nothing, though."

"If you do, promise me you won't over do it," Kristoph told him. He could practically hear Phoenix roll his eyes at him.

"Yes, mom! I promise I'll be responsible, mom! I won't drink all of your expensive wine, mom!" Phoenix mocked. Kristoph chuckled slightly.

"I would prefer it if you and your friend didn't drink any of my expensive wine," he pointed out, "And are you in my house?"

"…Maybe."

"Oh Phoenix," Kristoph sighed.

"What? Someone has to look after your place and your pooch for you," Phoenix argued.

"Indeed. He's called my brother."

"Yeah, well I'm your lov- I mean your friend, so I have rights over him," Phoenix scoffed, "Plus I don't like your brother."

"So get out of my house and you won't have to see him," Kristoph rightfully pointed out.

"Nah. It's cozy here." Kristoph couldn't help but sigh and shake his head. "Anyway, I'll let you go now. Remember to send me pics of the train. And New York."

"Will do," Kristoph promised, "And when I get back I'll make it up to you for leaving you alone for so long."

"I'll hold you to that," Phoenix said with just a bit of snark, "Bye. I love you."

"I love you, too," Kristoph replied before hanging up. When he looked up he was slightly startled to see Apollo staring at him. "What?" he asked.

"Do you tell all of your friends you love them?" Apollo wondered.

A light blush came to Kristoph's cheeks but he refused to stutter. "Well yes," he replied confidently, "Don't you?"

It had never occurred to Apollo. He thought friends saying "I love you" to each other was more of a girl thing. It seemed like guys only said it to each other when they were drunk. He blushed slightly.

"The last time Clay told me he loves he was plastered," Apollo confessed. He decided to change the subject before he could embarrass himself anymore. "So, did you get any of your work done?" he questioned.

Kristoph went silent. "Um, yes," he said quietly.

"How much?" Apollo asked.

"Um, two paragraphs."

Apollo had to stop himself from bursting out laughing. "In two hours you only read two paragraphs!?" he exclaimed.

"I kept losing my place, all right?" Kristoph muttered, "You want to try reading over all of this?"

"No thank you," Apollo chuckled. He checked what time it was and suddenly realized how hungry he was. He looked up at his boss. "Um, are you getting hungry?"

Kristoph glanced up from where he was opening the folder again. "Huh, now that you mention it, yes, I am rather hungry." He closed the folder and stood up. "Shall we go find the dining car? I'll pay for you."

Apollo mumbled his thanks and got up to follow his mentor. They made their way back to where the dining car was about three cars back from where they were. Because of the rocking of the train, Apollo and Kristoph were a little wobbly as they walked. Kristoph had to catch Apollo from falling over on a busty woman.

They reached the dining car and Apollo was immediately overwhelmed with how fancy it was. Everything was ornately designed and decorated. All of the tables were round to crate an intimate feeling and candlelit. As Apollo stared in awe of it all, Kristoph gave him a small smile.

"Shall we take a seat?" he asked.

The two took a seat at a small round table for two. A nicely dressed waiter came and took their order before retreating again. There were quite a few other people eating as well.

"Apollo," Kristoph suddenly spoke, startling the younger, "While we're here, we might as well keep our skills sharp. Look around and tell me what you can observe of the other guests."

Apollo nodded, suddenly nervous. This was something Kristoph often did with him whenever he brought him along to a crime scene or pretty much anywhere. Before telling Apollo his own thoughts and conclusions he would ask Apollo to observe and try to figure things out for himself first. While he appreciated what his boss was doing, it was very helpful for training when he eventually took on a case himself, it always made him anxious. He was always sure he was going to screw up and give the wrong answer.

Trying not to dwell on that, he careful watched the other guests while trying not to make it obvious that he was staring at them. There was a young woman with long brown hair and a young boy eating together. Though the woman couldn't have been older than her late twenties, mid-thirties, she seemed to have a few creases on her face around her eyes. There was a portly man dressed in very fancy clothes that wouldn't have been out of place in the Victorian era. He was sporting a monocle and was demanding loudly for the waiter. In the corner was a teenage couple dressed in gothic punk-rock clothing and lots of piercings. They looked rather annoyed with the fancy décor. And last but not least was an old fashioned older couple dressed in conservative clothes. They had their noses in the air as they sipped their tea as if they were above everyone and everything.

"Well, let's see that woman over there with the boy," Apollo started, "Judging by their ages I'm guessing they're mother and son. The woman seems to have a stressful life if the crow's feet under her eyes are anything to go by."

"Mmm… very good," Kristoph praised with a nod, "Go on."

"That man over there with the monocle has dressed himself up to make himself seem important, but I get the feeling that he just does that for show," Apollo continued, "The couple in the corner are clearly out of their comfort zone. They must not take the train very often or they wouldn't be here. And that conservative couple I can't really get a good read on them. They're probably very judgmental."

"Excellent, Apollo!" Kristoph approved with a clap, "I made similar observations myself. Now let's do a little bit of speculating. The punk couple in the corner. You said they don't come on the train very often. If that's the case, why do you think they're here today?"

Apollo thought for a moment and glanced over at them. "Well, they might be on their way home," he guessed, "It's spring break time so they could be coming back from college. Or on their way to vacation."

"Good job, Apollo," Kristoph said, "I admit I had forgotten that schools had just let out for spring break. When you don't go to school anymore yourself or have anyone that goes you tend to forget things like that."

Apollo tried not to blush at Kristoph's praise. He didn't want to get an overinflated ego, but it was nice to hear Mr. Gavin compliment him every once in a while.

Right after that their meal arrived and they mostly ate in silence. Although it had looked tempting , Apollo had avoided getting the premium burger as he didn't want to listen to Kristoph go off on yet another rant about not believing in finger foods and that no food should be eaten without some sort of utensil. So instead he followed his boss's lead and got a steak.

After they were finished eating they went back to where they had left their stuff. Kristoph attempted to work for a few more hours before he got bored again and asked Apollo to play a card game with him. They played Old Maid, then Go Fish, then invented a new game with complicated and convoluted rules that only lawyers would understand.

They went to their cabin around nine to turn in for the night. The sleeper cars had bunk beds, so Apollo offered to take the top bunk so Kristoph wouldn't have to struggle to climb up there. They got ready for bed and went to sleep early.

It was around one o' clock in the morning when they were awoken by a piercing shriek.

Sorry not a whole lot happened this chapter. Hopefully that cliffhanger will be enough to satisfy you. The rest of the train journey will happen next chapter. In the meantime please leave a comment!