I am so sorry it took so long to update!! FORGIVE ME!!
To the wonderful reviewers...
ClassicElfRyoko: Thank you so much for your review!! lol, well, when it comes to updating late...there's one thing I'm perfect at!! It's a horrible habit, but I can't break it - next chapter will come faster, I swear it!!
PimpinSatan: Didn't get to a part like that yet, but I'll hopefully get one in next chapter. It'd be sweet to see a softer version of Vicious...but not too sweet. That'd be weird. Keep on reviewing!
Light-of-Halo: I'm not good with mush either, so I tried not to let it get all sickeningly sweet. Besides, Vicious isn't the gentle type - he'd probably vomit before he'd start reciting poetry or anything else those romantic hero guys do... ok, now I'm just rambling. Revieeeeeew!
Cbdbz247: Well...it looks like I failed you in the updating arena. I AM SO SORRY!!! ...ahem, well, I'll try to get on the ball and update a lot quicker next time. Thank you for your opinion!
GreenKitsune: Thanks so much for your compliments!! I'll try to keep them in character, although I am unsure sometimes. Haha, your name is really cute, by the way!! ...sorry, couldn't resist. I love the name Kitsune - it's just so...kawaii!!
Theyreallyloveme: lol, you made sense to me, and that's just how I wanted the chapter to seem, so thanks for your description! Oh, and Shin is not so nice in this chapter, but I promise, he will get nice again! It'll just take a little time
Kaelin77: Hmm...that multiple endings thing is a really good idea. I might just do that!! Thanks for the inspiration! Hey, I'll even title the riding off into the sunset ending, 'Kaelin's Happy Ending' ...unless you object, lol
Zithromax: I have failed yet another reviewer, sigh... Sorry!! Well, time will tell all, I suppose, and I'll try to make the update a lot quicker next time. Keep on reviewing!
TigerTiger2: Er...sorry? I mean...thanks! I mean...AHH!! lol, thank you for your review, and yes, Faye is a big unhappy sissy... we'll see if she comes back. Or if he gets her - or what.
Dazma: Ok! Yes! ...sorry, it was delayed!
Sir-black: Thanks for your suggestions and comments! I'll try to make it more action packed from now. Keep reviewing!
Specter Queen: Thanks for your review! Yeah, I am trying to develop this relationship and it's a bit tough for me because I wanna rush it, but I know I shouldn't, so... Oh well, I'll do my best. Keep reviewing, please!
SweetPsyche: Angst is oodles of fun and more! Wow, thanks for the talented writer compliment! I think I'll steal the Campbell's motto and say it warmed me, heart and soul. lol I'll try to keep up the emotional scenes, make sure to review again!
AnimeAngel707: I don't even know how it'll turn out, so I'm waiting too, lol
A-chan5: I've always loved bittersweet, unless it's chocolate. lol, yeah, Shin is being a bit of a sore loser, but then again, I feel bad for him - Faye leading him on like that. Poor guy, he'll get happy and nice again, just you watch! Volk Zyta: Thaaaaanks, I'll try to keep it good. This chapter is something I had to do in a hurry, but the next one will be much better, and it'll have Vicious!!
Dar2ne: THANK YOU!!! lol, I've always wanted to read a good Vicious/Faye story too, but there are so few, I just decided to try and make my own, so I'm glad you like it
Bloody Love: DON'T DIE!!! I NEED YOU TO STAY ALIVE AND KEEP ON REVIEWING AND GIVING ME SUGGESTIONS!!!
LIL MZ JAE: Well, it might become long, I dunno yet. I'm making it up as I go along, lol Thanks for your review
Mange: I didn't!! Yay!! I'm back!! Review again!
FIREmblemFAN: Awww, crying?! ...yay! That means I did a good job!! Thank you!! Review again!!
READ ON!!!
I did go back to my apartment building though, to see if they might still be there. They were. I didn't actually go into the building, but I spied, stood behind a dumpster and watched Jet walking in with Ed at his heels. He was carrying a grocery bag and she was skipping and singing. They looked almost cute together, the perfect misfit couple straight from a feel good movie. Maybe things were running smoother without me after all.
I sighed, turning to face the gravel road again, waving on a car every now and then and assuring the driver I was not a hitchhiker, nor a damsel in distress. Then, I started to walk.
Somehow, I'd scrounged up a job as a waitress, again, and had even rented out the little apartment over the restaurant, although I was sharing with the female cook. It wasn't an exactly satisfactory life style, but it would suffice.
Every now and then a member of the Red Dragons would come though. I'd recognize the faces and know the names often enough, but the style of dress usually was what gave them away. Of course they never recognized me.
Upon reaching my workplace, I found that it had opened without me, which was surprisingly rare since it was before eleven, the normal sleepy time it took down the 'closed' sign. "Iris, why are we open so early?" I demanded, hurrying back to the kitchen, trying to dodge some of the milling customers and tie on my apron at the same time.
"I think your watch is wrong - this is the normal time." Iris, a young, pudgy blonde girl with a cute face and freckles, was slaving over the hot stove already, her short hair pushed back from her face and gathered on top of her head in clips and bobby pins.
I checked my wrist and saw the clock that set upon was indeed an hour late. "Egads," I sighed, setting to righting it.
"No time for that!" Iris was waving the spatula in a semi-threatening manner. "Go take orders!"
Grabbing up the pen and pad of paper, I hurried to the first table, scribbled down the order, and then hurried off to my next task. As I was turning though, I glimpsed something that made my heart stop. Sitting in the corner, right by the window, was Shin. Syndicate uniform and all.
My salvation was that he was accompanied by a female, also in syndicate clothing, and seemed to be very interested in what she had to say. One could have assumed it a date quite easily from the way he was smiling, chin resting on the back of his hand, and the way she was giggling like mad. I quickly whirled around, eyes wide, and walked stiffly back to the kitchen.
Only to be sent back out.
Yes, I am the only waitress on duty today.
I ignored them for as long as I could, I tried to beg Iris to do the job for me, but she would not hear of it, and in the end, she tired of my dodging about the small restaurant and pushed me directly towards the table.
"About time," said the girl.
Shin wasn't looking at me, staring out the window instead. I lowered my head and poised the pen over the paper, hoping he'd be in the same distracted state the entire order. The girl was obviously indecisive because she changed her mind about five times, and then, after finally settling on something, she nudged Shin and chided, "Pay attention!"
His head slowly turned towards me, slanted green eyes dull and unassuming, black hair flopping over his forehead, ungelled for once. Tan and healthy and happy looking, he hadn't recognized me just yet. He looked so nice...
It made me hold my breath.
And then, he inhaled sharply and those clear, lovely eyes turned to slits, the healthily bronzed skin paling and then reddening angry at his cheeks. However, what he said to me was the last thing I expected.
"All I want is some black coffee."
Blink blink. Oh. Crooked smile. Be that way.
"Are you sure?" I asked him shakily, and he knew I meant something more than what came out of my mouth. His voice had ground the order out, like he was really saying, 'All I want is for you to disappear'. Other than that though, there was no fuss, no turning over of the table, no sending dishes flying everywhere, and definitely no name-calling (which I had to confess, I had been ready for).
"Yes."
I turned away and felt numb, walking back towards the kitchen. By the time I got there, I'd already forgotten the orders.
It was a strange encounter - we pretended not to know each other, Shin and I, and he and the girl sat around and flirted and touched hands casually and even kissed. If I wanted to be petty, I could have said he was doing it all just to make me jealous, but I knew that wasn't the truth. Shin was really happy with this girl, and look what I was.
An unhappy waiter staring at them from the kitchen door like a jealous ex- girlfriend.
Bad things really do happen to bad people.
However, just as I was sinking into the depths of my self-pity, Shin glanced over my way and summoned me with a casual wave of his hand. Time to pay the check, it seemed. I slapped it down on the table in a less than good-humored manner and then waited for him to pull out the cash. However, as he laid the money on the table before my eyes, he raised his head slightly, smirked, and handed me a card.
"Eh?" I took it reluctantly, skimming over the writing scrawled across it.
By the time I looked back up, Shin and the girl were exiting, his arm around her waist, the door slamming shut behind them. Perfect happy couple. Dazed, I dropped my eyes back to the slip of paper Shin had given me and at the message it bore.
He hates you now. And guess what else.
He knows where you are.