"Hey Spike? Can we talk?"
Spike looked up at Ryo. She was looking a bit conservative today, even embarrassed to be asking him; like a child who was asking her parent if she could watch them do something that really wasn't that important to the parent, but meant the world to the child.
"Sure. Have a seat." He motioned to the couch seat next to him."
"I know you've been really down these past few days. And I know why. It's Julia, isn't it?"
He looked up in suppressed surprise. How could she know about Julia?
"I worked with Julia before I…left the Syndicate. I knew her pretty well. Well enough to know that you two used to be an item. I didn't recognize you when we first met, but when I learned your name, it all clicked." Ryo was looking down at her hands now. "It hit me pretty hard when I heard, but I can't even imagine how it must've hurt you."
"You worked in the Syndicate?" Spike tried to steer towards less sensitive areas.
"Yeah. But when your family is butchered right in front of your eyes by the same group you work with, it kinda changes your opinion about your job choice." She looked up, and Spike saw that her eyes were misty.
"Sorry."
"Don't be. It's not your fault. But it is Vicious'. You're not the only one who wants that guy's head on a pike." Ryo was becoming defiant.
"How'd you know that?" Spike was appalled. He didn't know it, but he had something for this girl. Something quite similar to what he had for Julia.
"Jet. Sorry Spike, but when you live at close quarters for a couple of months, nothing is private anymore. He kinda dropped a hint or two and I kept at him." Ryo shrugged sadly.
"It's ok."
She stood up. "Well, thanks for listening to my story, and if you ever want to talk and know that
none of these guys will understand you, you've got my ear." Ryo smiled and walked out, leaving Spike to his memories and fantasies.