"Things just keep getting better and better for me, don't they!"

Rachel shouted as she jumped from one building top to another. Nightfall had falling about half an hour ago and now Rachel was racing towards her place where her "job" was to happen. Of course, she raced with much disdain. She had no choice though, it was for Jill. And as much as Jill was going to hate her for it, she had to do it. Stopping behind a large flag pole Rachel looked down at the city below. I was a bright night tonight, with the moon full as yellow cat eye and the lights below, but Rachel stayed in the shadows. She always stayed in the shadows.

Leaning her head back against the pole she looked up at the night sky, the stars were beginning to spread across the dark blue sheet of night. She gave a sigh and put a hand to her face. God I've messed things up so much. Jill, her friend Sai,...George. She shook her head at the thought of him.

"I have to move on."

She fixed her mask on her face and then hurried off again. She only stopped once more to give her side a rest. A uncomfortable burning feeling was starting to take place.

She hadn't moved liked this in a week or two. She had always been a fast healer and the stuff Argo had given her had really helped, but the fact was her ribs still needed to heal. One wrong move and she could crack them right back to where they were before. She had to be careful tonight. Once the burning had dulled down some, she rushed off. The building was so close now she could even see it, however the closer she got, the more familiar the building looked until...

"Son of a bitch."

Rachel spat as she came to a complete stop. A large business building stood in front of her, in letters light up by small lights, the words De Sand and Rose stood out.

"George..."

She almost decided to turn around. She could easily make up some story about how it was too heavily guarded. She could always blame it on her ribs, that she was unable to sneak in because her mobility was limited.

Shaking her head, she rid herself of those thoughts. Why should it matter to her, she had to do the job for Jill's sake. Her friend was more important than George. Well, maybe as equally as important. She shook her head again. If she didn't do this job, something could happen. She thought back to what Wong had said. His comment about getting Jill to do what he asked. It made her wonder if he knew something.

Rachel sighed and headed for the building again. She was sure it would have top security and the best way to get inside would be through the vents. Carefully she made her way around to the side of the building, looking for an entrance to the vent system. Not finding one on the lower level, she decided her best bet would be the roof. Taking a deep breath she put her hand to her side. She needed a minute to relax before scaling the side of the building.

Her heart felt like it was going to pop out of her chest. She had never felt this nervous before, she wonder why. It couldn't have to do with George. Or did it? No, she was just worried about her ribs. That was all. Taking one last deep breath, she unhooked the graffling hook and with all her might she tossed it up. It latched on to a window rail. Making sure it was steady, she began to climb up it. Moving up slower than she wanted. She decided to pick up speed. When she reached the end of the rope, she pulled herself up on the rail rolling the rope back up. Placing it back on her back, she took out two climbing picks and began to climb up the rest of the building. She almost fell twice, it had be awhile since she had done this type of scaling, but it was the only "safe" way up.

It never seemed to take her this long before, usually she could scale a building in minutes. As she reached the roof, she kept telling herself it was just her ribs. If it hadn't been for the injury she could have been in and out already. She cursed herself and shook her head, putting her tools away and scanning the roof for a vent.

Her eyes landed on one, but it was odd. The vent cover had been loosened and slid away from it's opening. Rachel sighed, she figured someone must have forgotten to replace it the last time the vents were cleaned. However, it made her feel a bit more nervous, so she approached the opening cautiously. It didn't look like a long drop, but in her condition, she decided to slowly lower herself down, jumping in could make her injury worse.

She crouched down, glancing down the vent shaft. It appeared long, but with the lack of light, the length could be deceiving. Slowly she crawled along the vent, looking for a grate, so she could get her bearings toward the office.

It seemed like she had been crawling forever but finally she came to a vent. She looked down through it as much as she could to see where she was. Well there was a desk, nice looking one, along with a nice leather seat. It looked like a boss's office. She placed her hand on the vent and it flapped open. Rachel leaned back a little and frowned. 'This has been way to easy. Why would this open with almost no force?' She took another deep breath and then rolled her eyes. 'I have no choice.' She let her head hang down first, to give herself have a better view. She was in a office. A really nice office. No guards or security around. 'Damn it. This isn't right.'

Rachel let herself hang a bit more until she was hanging by her knees. Slowly letting herself flip over, she landed gently on all fours. She looked up quickly and then around. 'Nothing. I don't know about this. George wouldn't let his building be THIS unprotected, would he? Well... maybe Wong just knows how to pick em.'

"Yeah... right."

Rachel said. She turned and then looked around the room again. It suddenly dawned on her.

"I'm in George's office."

As she looked around she felt oddly nervous and, a little intrigued. Rachel moved towards his desk and began to search. Wong was looking for a brown leather book.

It has the names and homes and even business information on all of George's clients and business partners. She frowned at the thought. Wong would become a VERY powerful man with this book.

"I'm stuck either way no matter what I do." Rachel said as she opened a draw.

There it was. She slowly picked it up and let her fingers run down the spine of it. It was almost like touching George.

She shook her hand and then smacked herself. "Get your head out of the clouds, there are things to do!"

She looked around after a moment and then hurried back to the vent and with a little jump up she pulled herself back into it. She had to stop though after she was up and rest for a moment. Her side was burning again. 'Damn it... better be my ribs and not old age.'

Rachel was about to make her way to the roof again when she saw something move in the shadows. She glanced around the office, having a nice view from the vent opening. Her eyes landed on a figure stepping from the shadows of a bookcase. The figure's face looked up at her and she panicked.

She knew something wasn't right, it was just too easy. She cursed herself, and knew what she had to do. She had to keep this other silent, which meant she'd probably have to fight them off. Slowly, she let herself drop to the office floor once more.

"What are you doing in here?"

The figure stepped into the thin sliver of light shining in the office window. "Shouldn't I be asking you that?"

Rachel couldn't believe it. "The Cat? Why are you here!"

The Cat shook his head. "Once again, shouldn't I be asking the same thing?" His head moved slightly as if his eyes landed on the book she was holding. "Oh, I see."

Rachel took a step back. He knew about the book too. Well of course he would. She thought to herself about it, Wong wants it to black mail others and use it to make himself a profit, The Cat must be wanting the same thing. So much for a gentleman thief, she rolled her eyes at the thought.

"Be a dear, Heart, and hand over the book."

Rachel let the book rest on her hip. "And what do you want it for?"

"I can't refuse a good read."

Rachel gave a half smirk and almost mockingly replied. "I know what you mean, I do so love to curl up in bed with a good book."

"Does that include a good man as well?" Cat commented, moving towards his left a little.

Rachel frowned suddenly, moving right. "It's hard for a girl like me to find a good one."

"Hmmm, I'm sure." He said, as his head moved up and down as if he was looking at her.

She raised a brow a little. Was he... was he... checking her out? She tensed suddenly, taking a stance to fight.

"I'm sorry Cat, but I just can't let you have this book."

"Come now Heart, be a good girl." He put his hand out a little for the book.

"I'm never a good girl." She said as she jumped and gave his hand a kick.

The Cat took a step back and cocked his head to the side. "Hmm... odd, I didn't know you did solo work, Heart. Where's the other card?"

"Club is on vacation. I don't need her for this." Rachel made a face and began to back up toward the vent again.

"Vacation? Are you sure she hasn't let you for a new partner? You seem a bit upset."

Rachel growled in a low tone and tightened her grip on the book. "Why should you care? Club, needed a break. Not that it's your business anyway."

The Cat took a step toward her. "Ah, but you see, that book is my business. So, why don't we make this easy, just hand it over."

"Not on your life. I need this. I'm not going to let you have it just like that." Rachel glanced back toward the vent. "Now, I've had enough talking. I should go."

"Aren't you afraid I might say something?"

"Would you? That would get you caught."

The Cat took another step toward her. "Maybe, maybe not."

"Well you be very stupid if you did." She said and quickly jumped up to the vent, pulling herself in before he could grab her leg.

Though her side was burning again, she had no time to stop, she began to crawl as fast as she could, breathing heavy from the pain that was beginning to form. She could hear him behind her, moving faster then herself it seemed, which oddly caused her to panic.

Faster she went until she saw the light of the city before her, Crawling out as quickly as she could she started to run to the edge of the building. As she reached the side something like a long melt pole hit the building guard rail, almost hitting her. She turned to see The Cat standing almost to close for comfort, holding the other end of the pole. He spoke in a cold odd tone.

"I'm sorry Heart, but if you won't give it willingly. I'll force it from you."

"Then catch me." She said with a growl and with that gave a hard kick to his chest. He was able to catch himself from falling but wasn't able to stop the kick to his face in time. He flew back, landing on his side. He was stunned for a moment and then hurried up, shaking his head a little. Heart was gone.

"Damn it." He cursed as he hurried off after her. He could see her running to the other side, but she seemed to be having problems. If he could only get that book! What did she want it for?

Rachel was thinking the very same thing. What was The Cat after?

She had to get away, at least lose him, however her side was beginning to get to her. She made her way to another rooftop, and down it's fire escape. Once on the ground she hurried down a back alley. Rachel glanced over her should and slowed, not seeing any sign of The Cat. She took a deep breath, which turned into a gasp, hearing foot steps behind her.

"You didn't think you would get away that easy did you? Honestly, Heart, I think you're loosing your touch."

"How did you get here!" She spun around, clutching the book tightly.

The Cat shook his head. "I can't give away my secrets. Now, the book?"

Rachel took a step back and held the book tightly. "I'm sorry, I have to deliver it to someone. Now, I have to go."

The Cat took a charge toward her. "Sorry, I can't let you have that." He reached for the book, managing to get a hand on it.

Rachel gasped and held tightly trying to throw him off. "LET GO!" She gave him a jab with her shoulder.

The Cat stumbled back, losing his grip on the book, but sent it flying from Rachel's as well.

It went flying and landed on the ground, a few feet away from both thieves.

The two stared at where the book landed and then looked at each other.

"I DON'T HAVE TIME FOR THIS!" Rachel finally shouted and jumped on Cat.

The two began to give blow after blow to one another but it was clear who was getting the upper hand. She had forced Cat back and giving him a hard kick to his chest, he went flying and landed on his back.

Rachel took a few breaths and turn to face the book. She began to walk towards it when she heard a sound. She turned to see the Cat starting to stand, even though he stumbled a bit.

"You must really want that book." He said, almost tired like.

"I don't give a damn for it." She said with a sigh. She could tell that caused The Cat confusion. His body told her so.

"What?" He said after a moment.

"I'm only the messenger, Wong's the one..."

"Wong! You work for Wong?" He said very seriously.

She didn't say anything.

He took a battle stance. "I am sorry, but if that is the case, I WILL not let you get away."

Rachel looked up at him for a moment. What was this? Rachel didn't have time to react to each to his words for he and ran up and punched her very hard in the ribs.

She cried out, as she fell to her knees. Tears began to fall down her cheeks but she couldn't move. She held her side, trying to get a breath of air. Her actions had caused The Cat to move back a little.

He was quiet for a moment but then walked passed her. "I am sorry..."

"Not as much as you're going to be..." She groaned out from the back of her throat. With all her might she forced herself up and turned to look at him.

Suddenly the loud sound of sirens filled the air and men running and moving about followed. The cops. Both Cat and Rachel moved back into the shadows. Not even looking at each other, the two disappeared, each going their own way.

Rachel was not that far off before she realized something. "The book!" She turned, and hurried back as fast as she could to where the book was. She stopped, seeing a shadowed figure move towards it. She could tell it was The Cat.

He turned after picking the book up and hurried off towards an unknown direction.

'I have to get that book. ' Rachel hurried off after him. 'I will get that book.'

The Cat was a bit faster than she was, even more now that her ribs sent pain all through her body from his punch.

'Where was he going?' Rachel wondered as he moved from one building to another and then back to George's building. 'What is he a idiot?' Rachel hid herself in the shadows of night as she sat on a near by water tower.

The Cat stopped and looked around. He looked at the book and let his hand run over it and then he placed it inside a pocket of his outfit.

Looking around once more he did something Rachel wasn't expecting. He took his mask off. Quickly pulling the top of it up then down, the mask came right off, showing the man behind it.

Rachel gasped. "What?" She gave a confused whisper.

The man ran a hand through his hair and looked around one last time before, climbing down the vent into the building. Rachel could only stare, as her mouth hung open.

"It can't be.."

Were her eyes playing tricks on her? Was she dreaming it all? No... she was wide awake and very aware of what just happened.

"I can't believe it." She put her hand to her heart as she looked out into the open night sky. "George... you're The Cat?"