Authors Notes: Thanks for the reviews… umm… I have bad news for Kuroneko7: this chapter gets a bit J/V ish. Another scrap of evil: I can't get this thing to indent properly. Oh well, and now for the disclaimer I forgot earlier.

Disclaimer: I do not own any part of the Wild Arms trademark…

Virginia pulled on the reins sharply, halting her snow white horse in its tracks. Behind her she could hear her comrades doing the same. The entrance to Boot Hill was right before them and Virginia was starting to feel slightly worried. After all, Clive's warning was a bit grave… and Clive was not often mistaken. However, it truly was too late to turn back… and only time would prove if she was wrong. Eyes set with determination, Virginia Maxwell jumped off her horse.

A few steps behind her, Jet scowled angrily. He didn't see why they had to search for Virginia's memories. Memories wouldn't help anyone in the long run… Virginia took a couple steps forward, as she slowly made her way towards her hometown. "Yo…" murmured Jet suddenly.

Virginia whirled around to face Jet. "Yes, what is it Jet?" questioned Virginia a bit angrily.

"Why are we doing this anyway…? I've said it before and I'll say it again… memories can't be sold for gella," mumbled Jet.

Virginia stared at Jet in disbelief. He could be so incredibly selfish sometimes. She fumbled angrily for some kind response to her sullen companion. She couldn't think of anything…

"Complaints don't have a high market price either… so why don't we all strive to be somewhat agreeable?" snapped Clive. Jet frowned but didn't say anything… he remembered how nasty Clive could be when he was ticked off…

Virginia looked towards Clive in a silent thank you. "Come on guys let's hurry okay?" she announced cheerfully. Gallows shrugged good-naturedly and Jet gave a brief nod.

Clive smiled. "Yes, time is of the essence… I suppose we should hurry."

Virginia nodded and began to lead the three other drifters into her hometown. All around her she saw familiar faces and places. However, she didn't stop even once as she approached the hill that lead to her house. Jet was getting a bit impatient already and she really shouldn't use his small moment of peace as an invitation to take her time. She smiled as she came to the door. Everything was the same… Aunt Shalte and Uncle Tesla had often told her that she could come home when she needed to rest her wings. This was definitely one of those times…

"So how's about we go in? Eh, leader?" questioned Gallows jokingly.

Virginia smiled. "Of course… sorry about that…"

"Apologies? Nah… it's no big problem… My feet are just killing me and your house truly does have the best chairs," stated Gallows.

Virginia laughed as she rapped on the door. "Don't worry we'll be doing tons of sitting… You know I expect you guys to help me look through my father's belongings…"

Gallows nodded. "Of course Virginia… As long as I get the special chair… you know the one right?"

Virginia nodded. "Yup… it's yours."

"My assistance… unlike Gallows', is unconditional… I'll take anyone of your wonderfully crafted chairs…" stated Clive.

Jet frowned. He could not believe they were talking about chairs. He mumbled something under his breath that sounded like 'Idiots'. Virginia heard his little outburst and she instantly turned towards him.

"How about you Jet… Can I count on your help?" she asked excitedly.

Jet stared at her in silence. He instantly regretted saying anything. Why did he have to be put on the spot like this? "Well… Umm… I…"

"Why hello, Virginia…" came a cheery female voice.

Virginia beamed at her aunt. "Aunt Shalte!" she exclaimed as she hugged the woman standing in the doorway.

Jet sighed in relief. He was off the hook… for now.

"I heard you guys were horrible criminals. Of course, I didn't believe it but I worried about you getting caught… Isn't it risky for you to be here?"

Virginia smiled. "We've been able to slip out of tight situations before… we'll be fine…" She paused looking around. "Would you mind letting us in? My teammates are a bit restless…"

Shalte smiled. "Why of course not… Come in all of you…" She moved aside and all four drifters stepped in. Almost instantly Gallows claimed his chair. Shalte giggled. "Yes, well it seems Gallows is eager… What is it exactly you came home for…?"

"Well, we came to look at some of Daddy's old things…" answered Virginia.

"Oh I see… Well… I believe your uncle moved Werner's things upstairs… I'll bring them down if you'd like…"

Gallows stood up and smiled. "Miss, that won't be necessary… just show us where his stuff is we'll bring it down for you."

"My, isn't that sweet of you… My husband is away on business and it's so nice to have some helpful men around the house…" murmured Shalte.

Gallows nodded. "Clive you stay here and keep Virginia company…The sulky punk and me will get Werner's things…"

Jet seemed a bit angry but he followed Shalte up the stairs with no complaints. Gallows and the woman could be heard talking even as they disappeared from sight.

Clive chuckled as he stared at the stairwell. "Gallows truly is a gentleman… I don't know how he does it…"

Virginia smiled. "Yeah… but you're one too…"

Clive turned towards Virginia. "One what…?"

"A gentleman…"

"Oh, how silly of me… of course that's what you meant… Thank you."

Virginia laughed. "I should be the one thanking you…"

Clive frowned. "For what exactly…?" He motioned for Virginia to sit before taking the seat beside her.

"Well, for helping me figure out what to do… and for sticking up for me back there…"

Clive nodded. "Yes, Jet can be a little insensitive but he truly does care…"

"I wish he'd act like he did…" Virginia stared at the table idly tracing the wood patterns with one finger.

"We all do…"

Virginia opened her mouth, perhaps to ask what Clive he had meant, but clamped it shut as she heard the clatter of shoes coming down the stairs. She looked up from where she sat and smiled as she saw Gallows and Jet struggling with a large box…

"Jet, don't go so fast… walking backwards is not easy… Hey, cut it out…" complained Gallows as he almost tripped.

Jet smiled wryly and continued to plow down the stairs. "Come on Gallows, hurry up… it's not that heavy…"

"Easy for you to say… I'm carrying most of the weight… No, stop it…"

After many complaints, Gallows and Jet managed to lug the box down the stairs and with a simultaneous grunt both men placed the box on the table. Virginia laughed. "Thanks for bringing down daddy's things." She sat up in her chair and leaned over, peering into the box. She reached inside, almost hesitantly, then stopped. "Hey guys, where's my aunt?"

Gallows shrugged. "She stayed upstairs tidying up… She said she didn't want to get in our way," replied Gallows.

Virginia nodded. "I see…" She once again reached into the box moving aside various objects. "Hey guys, will you help me find Daddy's journal…? It's a red book…" Clive and Gallows nodded and they too stuck their hands into the box.

Everything was silent except for the rustle of objects banging against one another. Once in a while there laughter as two people grabbed the same item. Jet was growing rapidly annoyed. "How long does it take to find a dumb book…?"

"Well I don't see you helping…" muttered Gallows somewhat angrily. Jet sighed and approached the box. He plunged his hand in and quickly pulled it out. Surely enough, Jet had found a large red book.

"Here you go…" he mumbled as he tossed the book towards Virginia who was caught by surprise and unable to catch it. The red book hit the floor with a thud and a few pieces of paper slid out from it.

Virginia sighed. "Thank you Jet…" she mumbled a bit angrily. She crouched down, reaching for the book and the pieces of paper, which upon closer inspection were actually photos… Virginia smiled as she stood up. "Look guys… pictures…" She held up five photos in one hand and held the book in the other.

"Well, let's have a look at the photos…" suggested Clive.

Virginia nodded and set the book on the table. Everyone crowded around her… even Jet who was a little more than vaguely interested. She picked one photo and set the other's aside face down.

The picture was faded but was in incredible condition. Four pairs of eyes scanned the photo, and soon after three mouths burst into laughter. Jet was the exception… he gave a sort of snigger that couldn't quite qualify as laughter.

In the photo, a young girl with short brown hair was smiling brightly. A tall man was standing nearby clutching his knee. His expression was one of immense pain and his black hair was floating about him indicating that he had been moving. The little girl's foot was still raised in the air and her rather viscous kick had caused a young woman beside her to slump over in laughter.

Clive was the first to speak. "Virginia is that you?" he pointed to the little girl and Virginia nodded.

"Yeah… and I think that's Leehalt… the man who I kicked. And the woman has to be Melody…"

"Yes, she looks very different but I'd recognize that ugly sneer anywhere…" mumbled Clive.

Gallows chuckled. "I think seeing Melody is not the best thing for Clive… Why don't I choose the next one?" Virginia nodded and Gallows smiled.

He touched each of the four remaining photos one by one, as if he was feeling vibes from each one. Finally, he selected one. He held it up happily. "See? No Melody…"

It was true, Melody was absent from this photo. In fact… this picture looked much older than the other one. There were only three people, all three standing. They were all young… probably in their teens. There were two young men, both smiling and a young woman who seemed happy as well.

There was a brief moment of silence. Finally, Jet spoke up. "It's Werner, Leehalt and your mother," he stated.

Virginia nodded energetically. "Yes, that's right… They were all friends at one point… At least I think so…"

"They're smiling. They must be having a good time so yeah, they're friends," said Jet with as much cordiality as he could muster. Virginia nodded a bit surprised by Jet's behavior. "I get next choice…" Jet reached for a photo and unceremoniously held it up.

Clive frowned. Melody had once again reared her not particularly ugly head. She was furious and looked like she was ready to kill someone. Malik, who even back then seemed a bit unfocused, was standing right behind Melody and was holding her against him.

Gallows frowned. "Look at the little perv… feeling up Melody."

Jet sighed in annoyance. "He's not copping a feel on her… he's restraining her from lunging at this guy right here…" He pointed at the man and paused… Who was that guy anyway?

"Clive!" exclaimed Virginia suddenly.

"Yes, what is it?" questioned Clive a bit startled by her outburst.

"No… Clive," she repeated pointing to the photo. "That man is Clive…"

Jet stared at the photo. "Green hair… I always thought you dyed it that color…"

Clive laughed. "No it's just as natural as your silver hair… that is assuming you haven't dyed it that color."

Jet scowled. "Nah… it's natural all right…"

"Well, now that we've cleared that mystery up… I suppose it's my turn. I do hope I don't offend anyone with my choice… I haven't cast Hox Pox on myself in a while… and I'm afraid I'm notorious for my bad luck..." stated Clive.

"Just chose…" commanded Jet.

Clive smiled and nodded. He picked a photo from the remaining two. He held it up. Virginia gave a little gasp, Gallows roared with laughter, Clive smiled and Jet blushed.

Virginia and her father stood in front of a tank which housed none other than their silver haired companion. Virginia, who looked to be about ten years old, tugged at her father's pants leg, and pointed at the boy. Jet was submerged in water and looked exactly as he did then… however, he was shirtless… he was only clad in a pair of blue boxers.

"Wow… Jet you were holding out on me… You're ripped…" yelled Gallows laughing. "You could have carried Werner's things down the stairs by yourself…" Jet did not reply but he did growl.

"Uhh… I was telling my father how I liked his hair…" mumbled Virginia.

"Are you starting to remember your past…?" questioned Clive.

"Yeah, well I remember that much…" replied Virginia.

"You liked my hair…?" asked Jet in a tone Virginia had never heard him use.

"Uh… of course I like your hair…"

"I said 'liked' not like…"

Virginia laughed nervously. "Well, guys it's time for the last picture." She reached for it and held it up for all to see.

It was a large group photo with tons of people in it. Everyone instantly recognized the girl who sat on Werner's shoulders to be Virginia. The other six scientists were easily recognized too… Clive, he was there… Jet was visible from his tank… But there were two people who were unknown…

"That's Catherine and my Professor…" mumbled Clive.

"So I did know you before…" whispered Virginia. "Both of you…" She paused glancing at Gallows. "I'm sorry…" she murmured.

"No, it's fine… I was probably going through some horrible hormonal changes back in Baskar..." replied Gallows.

"Uh, what do you say we call it a day? I'm sure Aunt Shalte won't mind if we stay one night…" stated Virginia, speaking quickly. She leaned over, gathering the discarded photos and placing them inside the red book. "I'll see you guys in the morning…"

Gallows nodded standing up. "I call the bed on the right…" he exclaimed. However, Jet had already bounded up the steps… Gallows ran up angrily. "Hey wait…"

Clive smiled slightly but turned back to Virginia. "Are you going to read it?" he asked.

Virginia nodded. "Yeah, I will… I'm really eager to find out more about my past…"

"You don't sound eager…"

"I'm just a little overwhelmed… that's all…"

"Well either way… I wish you luck…"

"Thank you…"