Disclaimer: I don't own Tenchi Muyo or surrounding characters. Any character not associated with the Tenchi Muyo series is my own creation. I do not own any of the quotations, they are property of their rightful owners. So please don't sue me….

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Living On The Edge - Chapter Three

* The Sting *

~ Never trouble trouble, till trouble troubles you. Chinese Fortune

There is nothing less I would do,

than to stand up for truth. Alchemy Of Love-Tenchi Muyo In Love

It's important to be involved and stand up for what you believe

in. Ione Skye ~

* * *

Riley and Pierce stood like statues as the Secretary of the State, Rodney Carr, circled the room like a vulture. Jett, Lex and Jess stood off center and to the side, calm and unnerved expressions on their faces. Apparently, the looks and attitude of Secretary Carr didn't bother them.

Riley felt she was going to be sick. Literally. Her stomach churned upside down and short waves of nausea washed over her when she moved. She brought her hand up to place it across her forehead to see if she was any bit feverish. However, her hand shook terribly and Riley got a feeling of anxiety.

Something like this had never happened to her. Or, at least for the past eleven years it hadn't bothered her. In her younger days, before moving to New York, she constantly felt sick, feverish and she shook all the time. Except, her hand wasn't the only thing. Her whole body shook. So did her heart.

In those few years before she had left her home, her heart was full of love. Love for someone she could never have, for he had belonged to another. Her best friend to be exact. So, Riley had quietly left the love triangle she was faced with rather than to have the guy and lose her friend.

But, in he end, she lost them both. She had always been a quiet child and then in her teen years following her childhood, things slowly began to change. Riley found herself parentless and in the guardianship of someone she once thought she could trust. And in the end, her trust was shattered.

Her life had been hard after that. Living in fear, day to day. She'd wake up, happy to be alive, happy that her guardian hadn't killed her in her sleep. Often, Riley wouldn't sleep at all. But, as the day wore on, Riley found herself wishing that she had died or would die. Then at least, she'd be free.

Through trials and hardships of it all, Riley slowly lost her innocence. She traded her once caring heart for a cold and bitter stone. She learned the ways of a street rat, always defending herself against the one person who should have protected her the most. And she always lost the fights and battles.

She could never win against the person in which she was under care of. Even when she became of age to be on her on, she was trapped. She never left the sights of her guardian for more than a day, unless she was running a 'business' errand for him that took her a few days to achieve.

Riley shuddered. Her past thoughts that she had shoved way back in her mind resurfaced and rippled through her like a tide. She remembered her old life and how hard it had been, but there had come a day when she was set free. And then she started a new life, all over again.

Unfortunately for Riley, that new life only lasted a few years. Things didn't go as she had thought, and she felt it best for her to move on, once again. So, silently, she left a note to each member of her family, made her rounds of her home one last time while waiting for a cab, and then quickly departed.

She didn't say where she was going, but she did say that they weren't to worry about her because she'd be all right. She'd make it, and they knew she would. Riley was one tough cookie and if anyone could take on New York, it was she.

She had cried on the night she left. That place was the only home she could remember, since having the freedom like a normal person. And she had wept bitterly as the cab pulled away and drove her to the airport. But in eleven years, Riley hadn't shed a single tear for her family. Not since that night.

Upon arriving in New York, she had been shocked. It looked different than the pictures she had seen, but nonetheless, it was her new home. A chance to start over with a blank slate and she was determined to make a life here. On her own. So she set out, and of course, the rest was history.

Riley didn't care to remember the things and years she had after arriving in New York. The times had been good, in the beginning... Now, things were trying to put themselves back in order. For the past four years, Riley had been happy. She had Zack, and as an agent for the TSF, she kept busy.

Riley shook the nonsense from her head and looked up to see that, Rodney Carr, had finished his 'Rules of Engagement' list and had taken a seat in the corner of the room while Elisa went over the sting one last time to the undercover agents.

'Boring!' Riley chimed to herself.

She ran a hand over her head to find that she was a little feverish, but otherwise feeling fine. Her nausea had long since passed and she moved to sit down. Pierce's eyes followed her and the lips beneath his nose curled into a frown.

"Riley?" He whispered as he knelt beside her chair.

Riley cautiously glanced at him through the fingers that covered her eyes. "Hmmm?" She answered softly.

Pierce leaned forward and studied her face. "Are you okay? You look a little pale."

Riley tried to smile. She nodded. "I'm good." She whispered back.

Pierce looked bemused. Riley removed the hand to her face and sat back to see Pierce's face bunch up in concern.

"Riley! You're as red as a tomato. What happened?" Pierce asked quickly as he ran a hand over her forehead. "You're burning up!"

Riley pulled away. "I'm fine. This isn't anything new, Pierce. It happens all the time."

He shook his head. "Riley, this could be serious. Have you gone to a doctor about this?"

"No. And I refuse to. Pierce, I've had these little spells for a very long time. Granite, this is the first time one has hit me since I arrived here in New York. But before I came here, I had them all the time. There's nothing to worry about. Promise." Riley assured him without much success.

"Ahem. I hope something very important is going on over there if you think you can talk through Director Mezro's report." Secretary Carr chastised.

Riley gave Pierce a steely glare as he stood up.

"Sir, actually there is something very important right now that I need to discuss with Ms. Mezro. However, it can wait until after the briefing." Pierce commented, all the while Riley was giving him a death look.

Carr frowned but sat back down. Elisa ran her eyes over Riley and Pierce and sighed. She could feel something wasn't right between them and so she decided to hurry her briefing along. Five minutes later, she closed the folder in her hands and dismissed the Secretary and the other agents.

Elisa crossed the room to where her two partners were waiting.

"What's going on?" Elisa asked worriedly.

"Elisa, I don't think Riley needs to go on the sting." Pierce pointed out.

Riley jumped up. "Shut-up, Pierce. I'm going whether you want me to or not. It's none of your concern, now just shut-up!"

Elisa was baffled at Riley's hostility towards Pierce and looked at the man for answers. Pierce sucked in a deep breath.

"Riley's very sick, Elisa. Just look at her. She has a fever. She can't go." Pierce stated quickly while moving to avoid a death grip from Riley's hands.

Elisa studied Riley and frowned. The woman's face was flushed a deep red, her eyes were dull and sunken in and her energy didn't seem quite all there.

"Riley. Pierce is just worried about you. Why don't you have a doctor check it out and if he says you're good to go, then I look forward to seeing you tonight. But if he says you should take it easy, then you can look forward to having someone baby-sit you for the time being." Elisa grinned.

Riley shot her a look and stumbled back.

"That won't be necessary, Miss. Mezro."

Elisa turned to see Jess standing there, her arms crossed. Riley quirked an eyebrow at the woman's antics, but a nagging feeling in the back of her mind told her to keep her mouth shut on the situation.

Jess unfolded her arms and reached into her pocket. "Here, take this." She tossed something to Riley and watched her closely.

Riley opened her hand to see a small green gel-cap in her palm. "What is this?"

Jess smiled warmly. "It's a pill. Specially designed to fight fevers, sniffles, chills, sneezes, coughs and of course nausea! Take that and you'll feel good as new. If it doesn't work, in which it should, then you should go see a doctor about your sickness."

Riley looked at her skeptically. "So, it's like Tylenol's cold medicine?"

Jess fell over. "Don't go there...all right?"

Riley made a face. "Sure, sorry." She placed the gel-cap on the back of her tongue, tilted her head back and swallowed.

Riley instantly regretted taking it without water. She gagged a bit and then coughed. Giggles erupted from Jess, Elisa and Pierce. Riley sneered at them causing Elisa and Pierce to quiet down. Jess kept snickering.

"Next time, take it with water." Jess advised.

Riley stuck her tongue out at the woman. She stuck her hands to the side of her head and crossed her eyes. Elisa and Pierce stifled their chuckles.

Jess's eyes narrowed as she quickly snatched Riley's left hand. Running her thumb across Riley's left wrist, Jess frowned.

"How did you do this?" Jess asked, her thumb resting on a small scar in the shape of a cross. Underneath the cross there appeared to be another scar in the shape of a circle.

Riley jerked her hand out of Jess's grasp. "That's for me to know, and, you to find out."

Jess nodded. "Fine. I think I have a pretty good idea as to how they got there. But, if you don't want to talk about it, then so be it."

Jess crossed her arms. Riley stared at her and Elisa and Pierce just stood by. Riley closed her eyes. Opening them slowly, she sighed with relief. Her hot flash of fever was gone and Riley was impressed with the medicine Jess had given her. She felt fine, not hot, nauseous or dizzy.

Shaking her head lightly, she smiled. "Thanks for the pill you gave me. It's some powerful stuff to have knocked my symptoms down like that."

Jess remained silent. She gave a curt nod, turned and left the room. Before closing the door she muttered something under her breath.

Riley tilted her head. 'Did she just say, damn right it worked. I created that stuff?'

* * *

Riley sat at her computer idly tapping the keyboard. A small bar, halfway filled with tiny blue blocks showing the progress of a music file she was downloading, rested in the top right corner of the screen as she typed up some files in a separate window.

With her free hand, she reached over and picked a brownie up off a napkin and took a bite out of it. Setting it back down, she started typing again. Riley glanced at the clock on the wall in her study and sighed.

"Another three hours to go before the sting. Seems like today is dragging by for some reason." Riley grumbled as she set her tired eyes back onto the computer screen. As her fingers ran over the keyboard, a light rapping noise made her stop.

Looking around, she heard it again. It took her a few seconds to realize someone was at the door and that she wasn't hearing things. Jumping to her feet, she raced to the front door to catch the visitor before they left.

Riley swung the door open and paled. She slouched forward and frowned.

"What are you doing here? Aren't you suppose to be with Elisa going over tonight's plans, again!?" Riley asked incredulously.

"No. We have the next three hours to scope out your city, home, etcetera. Ya know, the usual." Was the windy reply.

"Not on my time, you aren't. I'm busy." Riley answered quickly.

Green eyes narrowed and put Riley under close scrutiny. "Sure."

Riley groaned. She moved to the side and waved her arm motioning for her guest to come inside. She watched the person filter into her living room with two other figures behind the first.

"So, Jess...what exactly brings you to my humble abode? And how did you get my address?" Riley questioned as she took a seat on an arm-chair. Sighing, she pulled a pair of reading glasses from her face and set them down.

Jess, Lex and Jett all sat on the couch underneath a large bay window across the room from Riley.

Jess shrugged. "We're actually trying to get to know the agents we'll be working with tonight a little better, is all. It helps us to have a better understanding on what actions to take should our plans change."

Riley looked skeptical, but allowed the answer to slide. "Oh." She tilted her head. "Uh, can I get you something to drink...Tea?...coke?...water?"

Lex looked up. "Not being rude, but, what kind of tea?"

Riley smiled. "Sweet. Iced. And homemade."

Lex offered a warm grin in reply. "I think I'll have some tea, please."

Riley nodded and looked at Jett and Jess who both agreed reluctantly.

Riley disappeared into the kitchen to fix the drinks and returned momentarily.

She set a tray with four glasses filled with tea on the coffee table and handed a glass to her three visitors.

As Riley sat down, a loud phrase of C&C Music Factory's 'Everybody Dance Now', blared into the living room. Riley laughed nervously and gestured an apology with her hands.

Standing up she shouted, "ZACK! TURN IT DOWN!"

Upon command the volume of the song went down and seconds later a young face peered around the corner of the hallway. Riley chuckled.

"I thought you had learned not to hide in your own house?" Riley asked.

Zack shrugged and moved into the living room where his mother sat. Jess and the others smiled at Zack and received a wide grin in reply.

Riley cleared her throat. "Um, Zack...I'd like you meet Jess Bartow, Alex Keaton and Jett Marikoto. They are the three undercover agents from Tokyo I was telling you about. The ones who are helping with the bust tonight."

Zack nodded. "I heard a lot about you three. It's nice to actually meet you in person."

Jess smirked. "Thank you, Zack...right?"

"Yes ma'am."

Jess threw her hands up. "Don't address me as ma'am. Just Jess will do."

"Zack was raised to address his elders properly, much like I was when I was a child. I didn't raise my son to be a good for nothing." Riley stated.

"Your...son?!" Jess asked calmly.

Riley smiled. "Yes. You seem surprised."

Jess cleared her throat. "In a way, I am. You're an agent of the Uniformed Division of the Secret Service, and you have a son?"

Riley wrinkled her nose. She knew where Jess was heading with this. "As a matter of fact, yes I do. I'm a good agent, I'm careful, I think my plans and actions through before executing them. Zack knows he has nothing to worry about, don't ya?"

Zack smirked. "Of course."

"See?" Riley pointed out. "Besides, if I quite the TSF, then I'm betraying my heritage. I'd be going against what I was raised to do, and I'd be turning my back on my promise to help those in need of my services. Let's just say, this way, I'm making up for lost time."

Jess and the others eyed her funny. "Lost time for what, if you don't mind me asking?" Jett spoke up.

It was really the first time Riley had heard the man speak other than when they had met at the airport a few hours earlier. His voice was kind and gentle as were his eyes and Riley couldn't help but get chills racing down her spine when she looked at him. He seemed so familiar, yet so distant.

"Just lost time. I'm righting the many wrongs I did when I was growing up." Riley answered flatly.

Jett mouthed 'oh' and then went back to his tea.

Zack stood up. He told the three agents that he was glad to have met them and then excused himself, his mind replenished on the task he was working on before making light conversation with his mother's guests.

Jess smiled as she watched the boy go, her eyes watering ever so slightly. "Nice son you have. He's very polite and well mannered."

"Thank you. I tried my best to raise him on my own, to teach him the many lessons my mother taught me. The only difference between my son and myself, is that the many manners I taught him sunk in while mine bounced off my ego and pride." Riley commented.

Jess's face lost its soft edge as a shadow passed over her features.

"You raised him on your own, huh? Must have been hard work but it seems that you have come out on top." Lex implied sweetly.

Riley nodded.

"It can be hard if the child isn't willing to cooperate though. I was an only child raised by my father. My mother died a long time ago, so I know how it can be." Jett revealed softly.

"I'm sorry for your loss, Jett. But you seem to have managed fine." Riley whispered.

Jett closed his eyes. "Yeah. I was one of the lucky ones who was able to be raised by a loving parent. It seems Zack is also one of the lucky ones."

Riley blushed.

"Riley...can I ask you some questions?" Jess questioned cautiously.

Riley rubbed her chin. "I guess...so. But, if I feel that the question is a bit to much for you to be asking, I'll let you know."

"Fair enough." Jess answered. "How long have you been an agent for the Secret Service?"

Riley closed her eyes and grinned. "Eleven back breaking years. I busted my ass to get where I am now, and I wouldn't trade it for anything."

Jett and Lex chuckled.

Jess bunched her brow up. "How old is Zack, exactly?"

Riley frowned but answered. "Ten. Why?"

"Curious." Jess replied. "What are your motives for being an agent for the TSF? Why not just become an agent for the FBI or NYPD agent?"

Riley wrinkled her nose once again. "Because...I wanted to be able to help those who need my help without having to be tied down to a certain case. As a TSF member, my job descriptions range anywhere from protection to the President, or another house member as well as a protector of civilians."

Jess nodded. 'Good answer.' She thought to herself. "Honorable." Jess commented. "So, what...happened to Zack's father?"

Crimson coloring rose in Riley's cheeks at the question. She took a deep breath and calmed herself down. This wasn't the topic she had been hoping to discuss with someone she had just met today, but maybe Pierce was right. Perhaps it was time for her to move on, and talk about it.

"His father was...killed. When I first moved to New York, I met a young man and we soon fell in love. Or what I thought was love on his part. About three, four months after we met, I found out I was pregnant. He took off. When Zack was born he showed up at the hospital asking for another chance."

Jess scratched her head. "The old, 'I have a son whose life I want to be a part of' routine, huh?"

"Yeah. When he heard I had, had a son he came crawling back. Dummy me, believed him. It wasn't long that I became his punching bag. It lasted for six years, and then one night he beat Zack so bad, that he had to be hospitalized. I left him. Moved to somewhere he couldn't find, he never did." Riley added.

She paused and took a breather. "About a six months later, we got a call about a man holding up a bank with hostages. Because the man was trying to smuggle counterfeit money for the real stuff, we were called in. Imagine my surprise when I saw that it was Zack's father. I was so...pissed."

Jess chuckled. "That was to be expected."

Riley nodded. "Well, this was before I was partnered with Elisa. Pierce was Elisa's original partner until about a week ago. The three of us were there, that night. Pierce and I, kind of had a thing going on, I guess you could say and Pierce finally snapped. When Zack's father fired on us...."

Riley trailed off and wiped a hand across her face quickly. "When he opened fire on us. On me...Pierce returned fire and killed him. He could have been charged with murder, but he wanted mine and Zack's pain and fear to end. So, he took out my enemy. I still haven't forgotten."

Lex hung her head and Jett was staring at his feet. Jess, concentrated her green eyes on Riley. A look of resentment, hatred and sympathy played in the deep emerald pools of her irises. Riley knew that look...it was pity.

"I'm sorry...Riley. I had no idea." Jess apologized.

Riley shook her head. "Don't be. We never married, he was afraid of commitment. I should have realized that, when he kicked his ass in gear and hauled it off somewhere far away from here the first time. I guess, I never inherited my mother's common sense or else I would have seen that one coming."

Jess stared at her. "I...think you inherited everything your mother had to offer you...and more. Much, much more than you can ever know. Don't be so hard on yourself...you were in love."

Riley smirked. "That was no exception. I wanted Zack to have his father around. But, when I told Zack about his father, he never shed a tear. He told me that it would be all right, because I still had him. And he was the one that mattered. My own son said that his father didn't matter to him!"

Jess looked baffled. "He is...a wise kid. I mean no offense with my opinion, but I think you are better off without him. You have a beautiful and polite son who is a blessing to your life. A great career that provides you with financial stability. Loyal friends, and a terrific disposition."

Jess smiled. "A disposition you developed on your own. Your mother never had a good outlook on life, it's evident through your attitude and mental condition. You're an incredible woman, Riley, keep up the good work."

Riley couldn't help but smile. "Thanks. And don't worry, I will. So, any more questions?"

Jess held her index finger up. "Just one."

Riley gave a slight nod. "Alrighty then, shoot."

"The scars on your left wrist...how did you get them?" Jess asked firmly.

Riley sneered at her. "I thought I answered that one already. It's none of your business."

"It is so, Ryo...Riley! You are a pawn in a better scheme to help the world heal. We may not know each other well, we probably never will...but, you can trust me as a friend, and as a partner. We work together, even if for a short while, we'll still partners and we're in this together." Jess explained.

Riley shook her head no. "I'm sorry, Jess. But, these scars represent a difficult time in my life. A time, that frankly, I wish to forget. Those years of my life are dead, I buried them along with the hatchet that had driven me away from who I really am. Now, please...drop the subject."

Jess sighed in frustration. "Was this how it was with your family? Is this why you left? Because when you had a problem you kept it to yourself and allowed it to fester up into a bigger problem. You have subjected yourself to enough pain, let it all out. Talk to me, I'll listen this time, I swear it!"

Riley cocked her head. "This time? What are you talking about?"

Jess frowned. "Doesn't matter anyway...does it? You still won't open up to us. To me. I tried, and yet again I was pushed away. If you ever reflect back on this day, remember, I offered to help. But you...being the stubborn jackass that you are, thanks to your mother, refused. Goodbye."

Jess turned to the door. "Let's go."

Lex and Jett thanked Riley for the tea and left, a angered and ticked Jess Bartow, super agent, extraordinaire, leading them away.

* * *

Elisa sat drumming her fingers on her desk as Riley explained what her assignment for the night was. When Riley finished her summary, Elisa nodded.

"Okay. I think that you know what to do. Why don't you go get ready." Elisa suggested.

Riley hesitated. "Uh, Elisa? What do you think of the agents from the TSS?"

Elisa cocked her head and rubbed her chin. "What do you mean?"

"Well, I mean, do they act strange to you? Seem a little bit to..to something!" Riley asked loudly. "They give me the creeps."

Elisa frowned at her and crossed her arms. "How so?"

Riley sat down. "Earlier...today, they came over to my place. Jess and I kind of got into an argument because she was asking questions she shouldn't have been even thinking about. She was really rude and nosy with me, and whenever she looks at me, I get the feeling that I know her. And well."

Elisa leaned forward. "So, why does that give you the creeps?"

"Because I don't KNOW who Jess is. Or who Lex and Jett are for that matter. But, I get the same feeling from Jett. Something about his eyes and his disposition...is off. It sets me off, and it bothers me to know that deep in my mind, there is this nagging feeling of familiarity with them." Riley added.

Elisa shrugged. "Riley, I don't want to sound like a smart ass...but I think you are just over reacting a bit, don't you? I mean, they are perfectly normal people, other than the fact that instead of using dogs, they have a tiger. Named...Subira. But, all the same, there is nothing to worry about. Okay?"