Disclaimer: I don't own Sailor Moon. The great Naoko Taekuchi does and all those companies holding the license yada yada yada….

Chapter 3: A vision

By Lady Fenix

Nathan Maxfield was focusing hard on the legal papers he held in his hand. He already knew most of the details by heart, but it never hurt to go through the paper once again just to see if he missed anything or in this case if the opposite side had added things.

The music industry was one hell of a business branch to deal with. Lawsuit regarding copyright infringement came often and it did not matter that Roman Records was large enough of a company to have an army of lawyers to take care of it, every second week a case appeared that his assistants found too difficult and which they required his personal attention. If it wasn't for his love for music and the fact that abandoning this branch would prove his father right, Nathan seriously considered selling the company and focusing on his other interests. Roman Records generated enough annual revenues to interest a lot of people and he was sure he could make a lot of money on it, but when one was already worth ten billion dollars, another million or so didn't matter.

For him it had never been about the money as much as the passion and the thrill of winning a deal; of making a success and knowing that you had been right from the start. Which was why he was damned if he was going to let a newly graduated Yale student think he can use him as a springboard and make a name for himself. The money they asked wasn't much but it was the principle of the matter. The woman signed the contract and even if the man representing Roman had turned out to be a dubious character, the matter had been settled and the woman had been compensated already.

Nathan didn't think of himself as an unreasonable man. He wasn't trying to cheat a single mom with two babies of their livelihood. And damn it he was not a monster!

"Will you stop glaring at me?" Finally unable to take it anymore, he fired the demand at the violet eyed woman sitting opposite him on the lounge of the slim private jet. Just how the hell did she manage to sit completely still for hours like that?

"Why feeling guilty?" She shot back and continued to throw daggers at him with her eyes.

"No but it sure as hell makes it hard to concentrate when you can feel someone trying to murder you with her eyes."

"You should be glad that's all I'm doing. If it weren't for the fact that I don't want to make my best friend an early widow and my goddaughter fatherless…" She left the threat hanging.

"I'm sure they're grateful for your restraint." Nathan told her dryly finally able to find some humor in the whole situation. They both knew from an earlier experience that he could match her when it came to hand to hand combat.

Rei tossed her black hair over her shoulder in her typical arrogant way. "Don't be too smug, Don Juan. I knew Mako didn't want you seriously injured back then. If I truly wanted to hurt you, you wouldn't stand a chance."

He believed that too. In his vast experience with women, there had been few who had impressed him the way the trio had when he first met them four years ago.

"Ok," He held up his hand, conceding defeat, "so forcing you to board the plane with me was not a very gentlemanly thing to do. But seriously, would you have come if I hadn't forced the issue?"

When she opened her mouth and could not utter a sound, he knew he got her there.

Despite the years it still amazed Nathan every time he was shown the closeness that Mako, Rei and Ami shared. When he had seen Rei enter the gate, he had been sure both Mako and Ami were wrong about her chickening out in the end but to his amazement just when the boarding was ended there she came, skulking out like a thief in the night. Of course since the move had been anticipated, he had cut her off on her way to the train back to the city and had instead dragged her loudly and protesting towards the gate where is own private jet was waiting for take off.

"It still doesn't give you the right to kidnap me." Rei snapped at him after a moment of silence and started tapping her foot.

Nathan gritted his teeth and seriously contemplated the thought of tossing the woman out of the plane. Maybe he could claim it was an accident? Or that she absolutely refused to stay on the plane and there was nothing he could to stop her?

A picture of Mako's accusing eyes appeared in front of him and he sighed. No, that wouldn't work. At least, not anymore. Not when they were already about to reach their destination. He should have tossed her out on her rear when he had the chance. He didn't have anyone to blame but himself truly. It was what he got for involving himself in female business. Trying to please one of Mako's best friends immediately got himself into trouble with the other. Women, there was just no pleasing them. Well with the certain exception of a green eyed Amazon, he conceded with a smug smile.

"Urgh. There you go again. Would you keep your dirty thoughts about my friend until at least when you're alone?" Rei demanded.

If it had been Ami, Nathan would have been more sensitive but since it wasn't, he only smiled smugly and drawled. "It's my plane. If you don't like it, you can always leave."

He lit a cigarette and took a slow arrogant drag.

Rei scowled. "Haven't you heard about non-smoking flights?" She demanded and started waving her hand in front of her to ward off the smoke.

The only reply he gave was to throw her a devilish look and exhaled slowly. The fragile smoke came out in a spiraling haze. She reacted by throwing up her hands in the air and giving off a frustrated scream that sent the stewardess running.

"I don't understand how Mako can stand you. She must be on pills!"

The stewardess cast an inquiring glance at Nathan, who in turn nodded his head and signaled her to leave them alone.

Used to her rants and raves now, he let her steam off, knowing deep down that it was not exactly him who was the source of her anger though he was the aim at the moment. Sigh, the things he put up with out of love.

For the next thirty minutes before they landed on the private part of La Guardia airport, the two of them kept on exchanging insults back and fort. This was probably the first time that either of them had spent so much time alone without the presence of either Mako or Ami and Nathan got to know his wife's childhood friend on a whole other level. For example he now understood where Mako came up with all her insulting name calling and inventive curses. For such a beautiful face, Rei's appearance sure was deceptive.

There was of course also a fragile side to her, one that was not as easy to glimpse in the company of her other friends due to her protective nature. Now that she didn't have others that she needed to protect, Rei was not as able to hide her emotions and Nathan was shown another side of her.

While La Guardia was a smaller airport than JFK, it had enough traffic coming in and out to warrant the crowd of people milling the place. As they reached the great hall where the custom counters were lined up, the party of people grew thicker and louder and Rei took an instinctive step closer to Nathan. He knew that it wasn't the crowd that made her uncomfortable as much as the sounds and the attitudes of the people. It was a far cry from the well mannered Japanese she was used to. There were a lot that could be said about the Americans but New Yorkers were a different group of people in themselves, with their bad ass attitude. Rei got her first experience of that starting with the woman sitting behind the counter.

She gave Nathan the usual questions, having been through these procedures a hundred times before Nathan took no offense. Actually he found it pleasant to talk to the woman; her attitude only reminded him how much he had missed the place and how good it felt to be home again. Rei on the other hand did take offence and would have started an argument with the lady if Nathan hadn't quickly intervened. In the end it was a mixture of a lot of fast talking on his part and the fact that some of the officials there recognized him that he prevented the woman from taking Rei into custody.

With a firm hold on Rei's elbow, Nathan steered Rei towards the exit where his limo was waiting.

"Straight home, sir?" Charles his ever present chauffer when he visited New York asked.

"No just take us to the city. I'll let you know as you get closer."

"As you wish, sir."

"You are sure about this?" Nathan asked Rei as Charles set the car moving. "There's plenty of space at the penthouse. Mako will be here in a few days and I'm sure she will love to have you close by."

Rei stopped her observation of the view outside the window and turned to Nathan to give him her first true smile since they started this trip together. "Yes I'm sure. Just drop me off in a comfortable and modest hotel and I'll check in there. I don't want to impose on you."

"You know that we don't think of it that way."

"I know but I do. Besides you've already helped me enough. I want to rely on myself." Rei told him calmly.

Nathan understood that and in a way he even admired her for her conviction, integrity and backbone. They were traits that all three of the friends shared. "Take us to the Ceasar's, Charles."

The driver gave an affirmative answer and continued to drive.

Rei barely gave them much thought as all her attention was focused on the scenery outside. Even through the toned glass, the sky looked bright. It contrasted greatly with the gray and brown walls of the buildings and the sides of the bridges. Somehow when she pictured New York this wasn't exactly what she had in mind. She was thinking more in terms of skylines made of chrome and glass, reaching for the heaven like silver and black spears.

She waited for something to register in her head, something that would trigger a childhood memory but nothing. Her mind was blank and everything that she saw was new to her.

New York, the Big Apple. She couldn't believe that she was actually back again. The last time she been in this city was when she and her mom were leaving the country and heading back to Japan. Seventeen years, seventeen years has passed and once again she was back again.

They approached Manhattan and the famous skylines that New York was known for, appeared in sight. Rei watched the buildings with pleasure; while she preferred the low buildings and open spaces the artistic part of her could enjoy the beauty of watching those gleaming walls as they competed over attention.

The streets were packed with people. Rei watched with fascination as all kinds of people walked past, some wearing furs and others leathers, some carrying backpacks and others expensive looking purses and portfolios. A few were running over the street without the slightest hesitations of the oncoming traffic. Rude honking sound followed them and to her shock instead of apologizing or looking sheepish some shouted profanities back at the drivers and one even gave the finger. Did these people have a death wish of some sort?

The limo stopped in front of an elegant looking building with gleaming warm mahogany colored marble walls. Rei felt like a movie star when she accepted Nathan's hand and stepped out of the car. Color warmed her cheeks when she felt the looks of some of the passersby. She could just imagine how it looked, especially with Nathan around. Not for the first time she had to concede he made a picture in his Italian suit and dark handsome looks. The long hair only added a rugged and dangerous appearance. She was more than aware of the envious looks she received from the women as Nathan led her inside. The ones that annoyed her however were the hostile ones.

The rebellious part of Rei reacted to those unfriendly looks and instead of being uncomfortable at the clearly very luxurious surroundings of which she was not used to, Rei took her strength from stares and straightened her back. She lifted her other arm so that both of hers linked with Nathan's and threw the women a look over her shoulder along with a feline smile.

Nathan chuckled softly. "Tone down on the power, Rei. Or the press will get a totally different kind of juice to write about."

Rei slanted him a look. "Afraid, are you?"

Nathan's lips quirked into the resemblance of a smile. "And Mako and Ami were actually worried about you. Girl, you look more like you're out to draw blood."

"It's just their protective nature." Rei told him absently and surveyed her surroundings. "Nathan, when I meant comfortably suited hotel, I meant my kind of comfort. This place reeks money. I can't afford to stay here."

"Don't worry. Their ordinary rooms are a lot cheaper than it gives impression of. It's close to most of the attractions and most importantly, it's safe." Nathan murmured to her in a soothing voice. His eyes caught the matron behind the reception desk and he signaled with his eyes towards Rei. The matron catching his meaning nodded his head ever so slightly.

"Yes what can I help you with?" The girl behind the desk asked when Nathan and Rei approached.

"I have room booked under the name of Rei Hino." Nathan told her.

Rei gave him a startled look.

"Excuse me, sir. How's does the name spell?"

Nathan spelled it for her. As the woman began to check in her register, Rei whispered softly. "I thought you wanted me stay with you guys at the penthouse. How can you have a room booked for me then?"

"I had a feeling you might decline the offer so I went ahead and booked it, just in case." Nathan told her and leaned negligently against the counter. He looked like he was posing for an add selling expensive cologne.

"I'm sorry sir, but I can't find the name here." The woman told him.

Turning his attention back to the receptionist, Nathan frowned. "I'm sure there must be mistake. I specifically phoned a head ordering a budget room for Miss Hino here."

"I'm sorry sir but –"

"Is there a problem here?" The matron, Nathan had signaled to earlier, joined his colleague behind the counter.

The woman explained the situation to him. The matron frowned and tapped a few keys on the keyboard. "It seems like we have a slight problem with our register at the moment. However it's a minor obstacle that can easily be corrected. I remember Thomas taking that booking, Linda. And you must be Mr. Maxfield I presume?" The matron gave Nathan an inquiring look. At the affirmative nod, he continued. "Yes you were the one that made the booking. Very well here's your card. Miss," He took up the card that came out from a machine and handed it to Rei with a charming smile. "I hope you enjoy your stay."

"Thank you." Rei replied and took the offered card.

Nathan took hold of her elbow and gently guided her towards the elevator. "What number does the card say?" He asked.

While she was busy looking at the card, Nathan caught hold of the matron's eyes and gave him an approving nod. The matron beamed at him once before he turned his attention back to his coworker who was making protesting sounds.

"607E."

"Good that's at least high enough to avoid the sound of traffic. Lets just hope you room faces the inner garden." Nathan told her and quickened his steps slightly and unnoticeably. He did not want any of the explanations given to the woman to reach Rei's ears. The last thing he wanted was for her to find out that he was in fact arranging for her to stay in one of the rooms at his hotel. Not that it was a well known fact since the hotel belonged to one of his many subsidiaries, still he wasn't about to take that chance knowing how stubborn Rei could be. He respected her wishes but it didn't mean he couldn't make sure that the place she stayed in during her visit was safe.

It turned out that Manning, as usual, had excellent taste. The room he had chosen for Rei was situated just at the corner, giving plenty of excellent view of the streets on both sides. The sound of traffic was not audible and Nathan expected no less, after all a lot of work and money had been spent to make sure that the hotel gave the best quality for their guests. For a first timer in New York, corner rooms, on this side, was a very good choice.

"Not bad. It would have been better if you have gotten the windows facing the inner garden though." Nathan noted as he walked over to the window.

Rei set down her purse on the nightstand and rolled her eyes. "Now you're sounding like a snob again. It's a perfectly fine room. In fact it's great. I like the design: very tasteful and has a comfortable feel to it. Now that you've gotten me safe and sound here, why don't you run along? I'm sure you have a busy schedule ahead of you counting the zillions of money you've made in the last few days and terrorizing your employees."

Nathan turned around so that he was facing her. "Mako's been snitching again." He told her in an accusative tone of voice.

Rei smiled and walked over to the window. Leaning on her toes and surprising him, she kissed him fondly on the cheek. "She's also right when she says you can be adorable sometimes. But seriously, Nate, I'm going to be fine. Just take care of your own business."

Adorable? He was going to have a serious talk with his wife. If she kept spreading these rumors about him he'll never be able to show his face again.

"Very well." He conceded. "I took the liberty of asking Patricia to prepare this for you." He took out a small cell phone from his jacket and put it in Rei's hand. "There's a list of numbers there including my personal cell phone. Just call me if you need help with anything. There's also the phone to the limo. Charles will be at your disposal if you need transportation. Don't take the subs."

Warring emotions battled within her. She was touched by his consideration and obvious care of her and at the same time she felt annoyance too at being treated as a child.

Nathan stopped in the hallway and looked back at her with his head tilted to the side. "You know this is probably the first time I've seen you speechless. Have to say when you don't speak, you can actually give an impression of being a nice person." He mused.

Rei growled deeply from her throat. Unable to think of a nasty enough description to describe him, she opted at slamming the door in his face. Not that it helped much since she could hear his deep chuckles disappear down the hallway. Against her will she felt a smile tug too.

How did Mako stay sane around a man like Nathan? Still he wasn't half so bad, for a man that is and looked at the cell phone in her hand.

Well since it was given to her, she might as well make the most use of it. Flipping open the lid, she easily found Mako's name on the list of numbers programmed in the phone. Rei knew that if she didn't report safely to Mako, it was plausible her friend would send out the National Guard to look for her.

The call was brief, at least for a conversation between the two of them. The reason for that was because Grace was hungry and demanded to be fed. For a young toddler she was already showing promises of a fine temper. The two of them promised to catch up later in the night when Grace was safely tucked into bed.

Rei was a bit surprised later on when there was knock on her door later. At first she thought it was Nathan who came back to continue to play big brother on her. But instead there was a bellman dressed in an immaculate maroon uniform, claiming to be delivering her luggage. Since she knew she didn't bring anything but the small cabin bag she carried as a hand luggage, Rei had a couple of interesting minutes with the young man until she took more careful look at the bags. They looked awfully familiar. The puzzle was solved when she opened one of them and found a piece written with very familiar neat handwriting. It seems Ami had been a couple of steps ahead of Rei as usual and taken the liberty to pack, in her view, a more suitable traveling kit.

Rei shook her head. Was she really that transparent? She could almost hear two familiar voices shouting in her head: yes. She could also hear them admonish and berate her for being a coward and pushing things off.

Sighing, she knew the time for procrastination was over. Sooner or later she would have to face what she came here for.

Taking out the small address book from her purse, Rei looked up the phone number Martin had given her.

After the third signal, Rei was already ready to hang up when the other side picked up the line and a dark but cultured voice said, "Holden."

Rei was silent for a moment.

"Hello? Is there anybody there?"

"Hi. Uhm… is this Martin?" Rei inquired, sitting down on the bed.

"Yes, who is this?"

Rei bit her lips. "I'm Rei. Rei Hino. Marcus' daughter."

"Rei?! It's so good to hear from you. But how come you're calling now? Aren't you supposed to be still in the air? Nothing's wrong I hope?"

Realizing what he thought, Rei quickly assured him that that wasn't the case. "My plane got in earlier. I'm at the hotel right now." The last thing she wanted to say was that her friends had forced her to board another plane because they knew she would bail out in the end.

"Oh that's good." He sounded a bit absently and it sent her heart plummeting to the stomach. "Listen I'm just about to start a meeting, do you think you can take a cab over to the office and meet me here in, say, two o'clock?"

"Uhm… yes sure. Just tell me the address." Her heart came back to its ordinary place.

"Huh? Oh yes, yes. How careless of me, of course you wouldn't remember the address." He told the address and gave her the description. "It's hard to miss it. You'll see it as you come up the Third."

The moment the conversation was over Rei let out a deep calming breath. There was no reason for her heartbeat to be beating erratically like this. So it wasn't the world's greatest conversation but it wasn't the worst either. She just wasn't much of a conversationalist especially with people she didn't know and whom acted like they were so chummy with you. It made her uncomfortable.

Or maybe she was making a hen out of feathers. It could be the whole cultural thing too. Maybe it was just how they conversed on phones. American's she had noted, tended to be less formal than Japanese. Maybe when she met him, things wouldn't feel as awkward. Surely he didn't expect them to just start acting like friends? They were, practically, strangers.

Well she'd know when she got there, she supposed and sighed.

Half an hour, a quick shower, a change of clothes and a fresh dash of makeup later, Rei walked out of the hotel with a map in her hand and headed out on her first walk around the Big Apple. A quick question at the desk turned out that she wasn't that far from where the main building of Holden Inc. was situated, so Rei decided to save money and use what natured had given her, namely her feet.

As she walked up Lexington Avenue, Rei was completely fascinated with everything that she saw. It wasn't just the people there though they were interesting enough themselves once she got used to their abrasive loud ways. It seemed all nationalities of the world could be found here. She listened attentively as people chatted in strange foreign languages some beautiful to the ears, some so strange she wondered how they were able to even pronounce it without dislocating their jaw and others sounded like they were arguing or cursing each other. The most important thing was however the feel of the place. The city generated a completely different aura than Tokyo, though both were about the same size. While Tokyo gave her a sense of order and harmony, New York vibrated with life and impatience. The strangest thing was she did not feel as uncomfortable as she would have expected, considering her preference for the quiet life. Even back home she had avoided crowds.

Still musing over the aura she picked up in the air around her, Rei stopped to wait for the traffic light to change signal and looked up the street ahead of her and the buildings lined up there. Martin's description had been a bit vague and as she studied the buildings there she wondered how come he had been so sure she wouldn't miss the buildings. They all looked the same to her, tall, sleek and powerful.

Then her eyes stopped at the black building, gleaming like an ebony landmark among pale towers and the shock hit her like a fist. Emotional waves washed over her and along with them came memories flooding to the surface after years of being buried in her sub consciousness.

She saw a car stop in front of the entrance of the building and a younger version of herself jumped out laughing and giggling. The girl was shortly joined by a young couple as they also stepped out of the car. The man had dark hair that curled at the nape and wore shades that covered his eyes; eyes that were the same color and shape as the little girl's. Beside the tall man, the woman looked tiny in comparison. Her long raven hair was sleeked back in a neat chignon and she wore a simple red dress. Red was her favorite color, just as gray was his. The couple smiled at the girl and took each of her offered hand to hold as she dragged them inside. They smiled at each other and entered the building, like a happy family; at least that's what had been assumed of them back then.

Lies, though. It had been nothing but lies. A dream built in lies, which had soon come crashing down, leaving nothing but rubble and shattered remains of the broken heart of a woman who had loved too much.

The vision disappeared and sensing the traffic light was just about to change, Rei still with her head on the building, started walking.

The moment she took a step out on the street, warning bells rang in her head and she heard the loud angry blast of a horn. Turning her face, she saw a car coming straight at her. There was a large screeching sound of someone hitting the break. Air rushed towards her. She heard screams and shouts around her.

AN: Ok I'll give you one guess who the driver in the car is. ^-^ I know it wasn't very nice of me to end it here but it felt right since the tone will change slightly in the next chapter. I know that a lot of you have been looking forward to having them meet and but I hope this chapter wasn't too much of a disappointment for you. Rei and Jay will come face to face in the in the next chapter that is for certain.

My thanks to everyone for their reviews. Kayla, don't worry, there will be another dysfunctional member showing up in the next chapter. ;) And Firenze, since you put out a special request I've tried to accompany you to my best effort. It might not be exactly what you had envisioned but I hope it won't be too disappointing for you. =)Anyone else who has a special request?

A special thanks to two wonderful fanfic writers K.Wyse, for her support and Charliechaplin2, my wonderful beta reader for correcting my grammar and giving the great advices. Unfortunately for me and for you guys, CC2 is having a well deserved break and so you're going to have to endure my lousy English until she returns.

Next chapter will hopefully be out in a week, might take a bit longer though since I'm missing a beta now. Things are written much faster when you have someone to bounce ideas with. =)