Bubblegum Crisis Post 2040 Fanfic Series

Bubblegum Crisis Post 2040 File 1: Dominant Species

Part 4: Hunger

Chapter 46: Last Domino

by P. Kristen Enos (bgcpost2040@aol.com)

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A Bubblegum Crisis Tokyo 2040 English Dub Version Fanfic. All rights belong to AIC, ADV Films and the other creative powers that be. I just want credit for writing the story. Contains spoilers! Rated PG13. Yuri warning! Nothing in here should be a shock if you've watched the episodes and paid attention. All I'm doing is filling in the gaps with my own interpretation of events! Special thanks to Greenegret for betaing!

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In the bright moonlight, Leon stood on the sand and stared at the black bay water before him. He knew he was early. And he had hoped that she'd be early too, but the sound of the familiar motorcycle came right on time. He didn't bother to turn around at the noise of the bike being parked and the footsteps that came near and finally stopped beside him.

Trying to keep his burning emotions under control, he took a deep breath and commented, "Talk about your déjà vu! Would've been a perfect repeat of history except that this time you got your ass kicked!"

"Everyone's a critic."

The flippant answer cracked his self-control, causing him to retort, "Some of us have a right to be! And not only that, some of us deserve to hear directly from the source if a certain someone is going to commit to being on active duty again. At least to Nene's credit, she thought I already knew!"

The woman frowned and said, "You didn't have a say the first time around. What makes you think you have a say now?"

"Damn it, Priss! Things are different this time and you know it! Otherwise, what's the point of that engagement ring hanging around your neck?!"

"Fine. Have it back then," she said, reaching for the chain.

He whipped around and snagged her wrist, stopping the motion. "No! I won't be a rash decision, Priss! I deserve better than that!"

Even in the dark shadows of the night, he could tell she stared at him. He finally felt her relax and lower her arm, which caused him to do the same.

"Look," he said, his tone softer and sadder than before, "just talk to me, Priss. I know you haven't been happy about returning to Tokyo. And I thought it was because of the Knight Sabers. So imagine my surprise when I find out you rejoined. And after having a malfunctioning hard suit, too. It doesn't make sense."

She was quiet for a long time as she watched the gentle waves before them. "It doesn't, Leon? The only time I feel alive is when I'm on stage or I'm in a hardsuit. I was just fooling myself when I turned down Sylia."

"So you don't feel alive when there's just me?" The hurt in his voice was undeniable.

"Leon, I'm..." Priss let out a frustrated sigh and said, "Look, you watched that entire street scene from beginning to end. You watched innocent people be crippled or die. And then your K-suit buddies was just as ineffective as before. Didn't it once pass through your mind 'If Priss was here, the insanity could be stopped'?"

The man frowned at the truth in those words, but then he shook his head. "I'll admit that happened. But what I also thought as I watched that boomer beat you was 'That's my future wife and mother of my children.' It's not going to be just me at stake anymore. What am I supposed to tell our kids if there's a repeat of today and Sylia's not there to watch your back?"

"You sound like a cop's wife."

Angry that he walked right into that one, he blurted, "Damn it, Priss! You knew that when you met me!"

"Listen to yourself, Leon!" she retorted, her own anger ripping loose. "I am Priss Asagiri, singer and Knight Saber! Not a wifey! Not a mom! You were the one talking of cozy little homes with little pitter patter of feet everywhere! I don't have those kinds of dreams! I never did!"

Leon lurched back as if she had actually slapped him physically instead of verbally. "But - But doesn't every woman want children?"

"Leon," she said, her tone softening but still sharp, "were you attracted to me because I was like every other woman?"

"Well, no - but that doesn't mean -"

She turned on her heel to walk away. "Forget this. I need some space. I haven't had any in a while."

Leon reached out and snagged her arm, jerking her back in mid-step. "Don't turn away from me, Priss! I will not let you shut me out as if the past four years never happened!"

Priss froze, her entire body tense like iron. She didn't even turn her head as she said, "Let. Me. Go."

He didn't move for a moment, wanting to react verbally as well as physically. Knowing that that would have really done much more damage than good, he finally sighed and let her go. "So what now? Are you going back to Linna for real this time?"

Despite the strong and angry strides, it was clear that Priss almost tripped when he made that comment. But she remained quiet as she got on her bike and put on her helmet

She then looked at him and said, "If you don't want me to be part of the Knight Sabers, then your cop buddies better learn how to do their jobs. In the mean time, I'm moving in with Sylia."

Leon grit his teeth and took a deep breath. Mustering as much calm as he could, he asked, "When can I call you?"

"Not right now," she answered as she started the engine and drove away.

At first Leon didn't move, even after she had been gone for a good fifteen minutes. Then, in a flood of rage, he took out his frustration by kicking at a helpless piece of nearby driftwood before finally collapsing in physical and emotional exhaustion.

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"Thanks for this, Sylia," Priss answered cryptically as she stepped through the doors.

With a duffel bag in one hand and her guitar case in the other, she looked typically out of place in the elegant establishment, even though it was late at night.

"It's not as if I don't have the space," replied a groggy, bathrobe-clad Sylia. The hour was hardly late for her under normal circumstances, but her plan to catch up on rest and healing time was not feeling well timed that day. "You're welcome to stay as long as you like."

After pushing the security buttons on the wall to lock the closed doors, Sylvie stood by and watched curiously.

Henderson was also there. He stepped forward hesitantly and asked, "May I carry something of yours, Miss Priss?"

"No need, Henderson. Just lead the way."

"Of course. Follow me."

Now with the two of them alone, Sylia looked at Sylvie expectantly and prompted, "You have a question?"

Sylvie looked at the top of the stairs where Priss had disappeared to and then said, "I think I do but I'm not certain yet how to phrase it."

Sylia let out a small yawn and answered, "Well, if you'll excuse me, Sylvie, I am really tired. We can talk in the morning - or whenever I wake up."

The boomer stood quietly in the dim lighting as she tried to make sense of everything she witnessed that day connected to this puzzling person called Priss Asagiri.

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It was a nice room, probably one of the best quality ones she'd ever been in, with its simple desk and comfortable looking bed. Yet instead of enjoying her surroundings, Priss stood in the middle and stared at the phone in her hand.

It was too late to call Linna, even if her friend wasn't in need of sleep for healing. But Priss wanted someone to talk to, someone who would really listen for a change, and maybe even understand.

Then again, who was she fooling? Such a person didn't exist.

Priss then sighed and put the phone down on the desk. She stared at the transparent wall that gave a small view of the giant aquarium which was the center of the building. Even though Henderson had showed her how to shut off the transparency, Priss preferred the room like this. The surreal mood and lighting fit her state of her mind for the past three years.

Priss noticed that her hand was unconsciously clasping the engagement ring hanging from her throat. She held up the ring and stared at it. After a long pause, she kissed it, took off the necklace and slipped it into a pocket in her jacket.

Then she opened her guitar case and sat on the bed. She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and began to play any melody that came to mind.

-- End Chapter 46 --

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