Well, last chapter for a while; let me know what you think.

For lack of a better venue, they'd decided to meet at Linna's place, though she'd been reluctant at first. She'd cited the busy schedule her new job at the stock exchange entailed, and claimed that she just wouldn't have the time for at least a couple of days. But, after one terse sentence from Priss, she'd reluctantly agreed.

Now the three of them, Nene included, sat at Linna's kitchen table, staring down in an awkward silence, broken finally by Priss.

"Well, hell. You've been watching the news, right?"

Linna nodded slowly, and said, "Yeah." Then, shaking her head, she said, "Why did she come back? So soon, I mean?"

Priss sighed, and said, "Hell, how do I know? It's not like I got a chance to talk to her. But why do you think she'd come back?"

"Aiko," Linna said quietly. "She came back because she missed Aiko. It has to be."

Priss nodded, and said, "That's what I figure. What the hell she was doing in Hot Legs, I don't know." Then, shaking her head, she said, "Sometimes I swear there MUST be a God up there. Shit couldn't get this screwed up without somebody pushing the buttons."

On her side of the table, Nene nodded slowly, and said, "Tell me about it. Leon and I- I don't know what's going to happen. The chief doesn't believe what we put in the report, and the guys from IA don't either. They've asked Jillian, but she won't say anything to contradict our story. Still, there are enough inconsistencies and all… I just don't know what to do. I don't want to rat Leon out, but we could end up getting fired or even going to jail if-!" Then, putting her head down on her folded arms dejectedly, she repeated, "I just don't know what to do."

Frowning, Priss said, "Stick by your damn guns, Nene! Like you said, they've got no real evidence that you or Leon did anything wrong. If you let them freak you out, and tell them something, they'll have you. Just stick with your story. You can bet Leon will."

Nene sighed, and said, "Yeah, I guess you're right. But it's not easy. Those guys are pros, and they tear up other cops for a living."

There was silence again, as there seemed little to say to this, and then, from where she sat, Linna said, "So. It's good to get together again and all, and it really is too bad what's going on over this whole thing with Jillian, but where are we going with this? Was there really a reason for us to meet like this?"

Looking at her incredulously, Priss said, "A reason? Hell, Linna, we're friends, right? Isn't that reason enough to get together when the shit hits the fan? Not only that, but obviously we've gotta figure out what the hell we're gonna do, right?"

Frowning, Linna said, "Do? Priss, just what do you think we CAN do? If I understand things right, there's a legal thunderstorm brewing up over this. Aiko's grandpa is getting ready to throw this to the courts, and he, of all people, just might be able to pull something off. If that happens, Jillian will be way better off than she was before."

"And if it doesn't, they'll take her apart." Priss said flatly. "Did you bother dragging her over to Pop's place just so that could happen? Did he put her back together just so that the damned ADP could rip her apart again six months later? And how the hell do you think it's gonna make Aiko feel if they do?"

Still frowning, Linna said softly, "That's a cheap shot, Priss. You know damn well how Aiko will feel. And of course I don't want that to happen. But, again, what do you think we can do? Do you want to suit up and go raid the ADP? Maybe end up hurting or even killing a few cops to break her out? Oh, but wait a minute! We can't suit up, now can we? Sylia's off in Germany, and we don't even KNOW what's going on with all our gear right now. So I guess that's out. Oh, maybe we can get Nene to work a little of her magic from the inside! But no, I forgot, she's on suspension right now. Guess that's out too, now isn't it?"

Smoldering now, Priss said, "Yeah, sarcastic bullshit is really what I need right now, Linna! I'm glad you're such a good, supportive damn friend and all!"

"Guys?" Nene said softly, catching the attention of neither of her friends.

"Oh!" Linna yelled. "Now I'm a crappy friend, huh? Because I'm willing to face reality, and lay it out for you too? That's great, Priss. I'm glad to see how you really feel. And since you feel that way, why don't you just take a hike?"

"Guys?" Nene said again, a little louder this time but still to no effect.

"You're throwing me out!" Priss said indignantly. "Well, shit, that's just fine then! You can go ahead and sit on your ass here, or bury your head ass deep in that new job of yours, or whatever the hell you want to do! Obviously you're more interested in that bullshit than in lifting a finger to help a friend or just doing what's right!"

Linna gasped, and said, "I-! You-! Who the hell do you think you are to judge me, Priscilla Asagiri! You're so far up on your damn moral high-horse you can't even see straight anymore! And another thing-!"

"GUYS!" Nene yelled at the top of her lungs, startling the other two into silence. Tears rolling slowly down her cheeks, she said miserably, "Priss. Linna. Why are you two doing this to each other? We're friends. We're KNIGHT SABERS. We've been through so much together! And now you two want to tear into each other for no real reason at all? Guys, we're supposed to stick together no matter what. And if that's not true anymore, then- then I guess we were never really friends at all. Is that how it is?"

Both of the others were momentarily silent, shamed by the truth of Nene's outburst. And then, putting a hand over Nene's, Priss said softly, "Of course not, Nene. We're still friends. And, even if we disagree, we're still here for each other."

Linna nodded slowly, a sheen of moisture on her eyes, and said, "She's right, Nene. And I- I didn't mean to sound the way I did. It's just that- I really don't know what we can do. Even if Sylia were here, and we had our stuff, is there anything we could do with it that would help? I don't know…"

Priss sighed, and said, "I don't know either. And that's what's making me crazy. Not being able to do any damn thing. Hot Legs gets trashed, a bunch of innocent people die, all of my band's equipment gets wrecked, and on top of it all, somebody we all went to a lot of trouble to help out gets caught in a jam. Damn it! There's got to be something we can do!"

Looking up at her, Nene said softly, "I know how you feel, Priss. But something I've figured out lately is… well, sometimes there just isn't much you can do. Sometimes the best you can do is wait and watch and be ready in case there's an opportunity to do something. And I think that's about all we can do here."

Frowning slightly, Priss said sullenly, "I hate shit like that. But you might just be right. So what've you got in mind?"

Nene sighed, and said, "I guess we'll just have to keep an eye on things. And if worst comes to worst, well… then we'll see. One thing we really should do, though, is check out LADYS633, and probably Raven's too. We need to find out what we'll have access to if- well, just in case."

Linna frowned, and said, "Sure, I suppose, but- well, Sylia didn't really leave behind any contingency plans. That's really not like her, but I guess it means that she really didn't foresee us having to go out creeping without her."

"Huh!" Priss said, and then thoughtfully, "She probably didn't really WANT us doing anything while she was gone. In case you haven't noticed, she's just a little bit of a control freak sometimes."

Linna rolled her eyes, and, smiling, said, "Oh, no, I never noticed that. But, yeah, that's probably true, so…"

Grinning just slightly, Priss finished, "So, like Nene said, we'll have to see what she left us. And then, assuming we have to use the gear, we'd better come up with something damn good to tell Sylia when she gets back. Especially since I kinda doubt we'd be getting paid for any of the shit we'd end up having to do for this."

Linna sighed, and said, "Why do I have the feeling that before this is all over, Nene's not the only one who's going to be in hot water?"

Still grinning, Priss said, "Probably because you're right. But, what the hell. Sometimes you've gotta take a few chances to help out your friends."

The other two just nodded silently in agreement, both suddenly caught up in their own thoughts on the subject.

After spending a couple of hours on the ADP's indoor range, soon to be shut down for renovations, according to the chief, 'Kiko and Hall decided to call it quits. Both were satisfied that she had the hang of her weapons' new capabilities, and after spending most of the last day and a half at 'Kiko's side, even Hall had to admit that he was exhausted.

"Yeah, I think I'm gonna head home and grab some sack time," he said as they exited the range.

'Kiko sighed, and said, "Well, I suppose I might as well crawl back into my little hole upstairs and log on to Cytech's server. I can probably knock out some of that VR familiarization Dr. Nakatomi was talking about tonight. I'm not the least bit sleepy right now, and it's not like I have much of anything better to do."

Frowning slightly, Hall said, "Y'know, 'Kiko, you really should pick up some hobbies that don't have anything to do with work. If all you do, twenty-four-seven, is work-related shit, you're gonna drive yourself nuts eventually. You gotta be able to escape in your mind every once in a while, if not in the flesh."

"I guess," 'Kiko said non-commitally, and then, cocking her head slightly, "So what's your great escape, partner? Beer and a rack of ribs in front of the TV?"

Hall snorted, and said, "Oh, you're funny, Natomi. Ever consider going into stand-up?"

Grinning just slightly, she said, "Sure, why not? If they'd ever let me out of here to do it, that is… But seriously, Hall; what's your hobby? You've got one, I assume, since you're trying to sell me on it."

Hall nodded, and said, "Well, I've got a couple, I guess. There's martial arts, but in our line of work I guess you couldn't say that isn't job-related. Other than that, well… I guess you'd say I like well-made things. Clothes, furniture, cars, guns, whatever. And I go out of my way to find stuff like that. So I suppose you could call that a hobby."

'Kiko arched an eyebrow, and said, "Yeah, those were some fairly fancy threads you were wearing the other night. But somehow I just can't picture you in a whole house full of stuff like that. It just doesn't seem…"

"In character?" Hall said in an amused tone.

"I guess," 'Kiko said, shrugging. "You've always just seemed a lot more rough-and-tumble, that's all."

Hall nodded, and said, "Yeah, that's my point. That's me at work, but when I'm away from work, I try to GET AWAY FROM work. If I didn't, I'd probably blow a gasket eventually."

'Kiko nodded slowly, and said, "I see your point, I guess. And I do have hobbies; old movies, old music, sci-fi books, stuff like that. I just haven't really had time for any of that since- well, hell, probably since Toshi died. After that, it was just one damn thing after another, and most of my time was divided between work and taking care of Maiume. And then, after the accident, well… hobbies have been the last thing on my mind, I guess."

Yawning loudly, Hall said, "'Scuse me. Guess I can understand that."

"You really are beat," 'Kiko said matter-of-factly. "Just how long did you sit there in the infirmary with me, anyway?"

"Since they brought you back here," he said in the same tone. "I didn't want you to wake up all alone, wondering what the hell was going on. All things considered, looks like that was a good idea."

Glancing at him slightly askance, Akiko said in an odd tone, "You sat in there for something like thirty-six hours just so I wouldn't have to wake up alone? That's an awfully considerate thing to do for somebody you didn't want to partner up with in the first place, now isn't it?"

Coloring slightly, Hall said quickly, "Ah, hell, 'Kiko. In my book at least, that kind of shit is what being partners is all about. Whatever I wanted or didn't want, we're partners now, and that means we take care of each other."

Feeling a sudden stinging in her eyes, Akiko reached out to put a hand on Hall's arm, and in a voice tight with emotion said, "I'm glad you feel that way, Hall. Right now, having someone who actually cares about me means a lot."

Flushing even more, Hall said in a low tone, "I can understand that, 'Kiko. And whatever the hell else happens, I'll be here if you need me." Then, breaking the suddenly serious tone the conversation had taken, Hall added, "'Course, I damn well expect the same from you. If I manage to get my ass shot off out there, I'd better not wake up in the damn hospital all by myself. Fair's fair, after all."

'Kiko chuckled slightly, and said, "Don't worry, partner. If it comes to that, I'll be right there for you. Count on it."

Once Hall had left, 'Kiko found that she just didn't feel like going straight back to her suite. There were a lot of odd thoughts, mental flotsam and jetsam, really, chasing their way around her mind, and she decided to just take a little walk around the building before calling it a night.

As she strolled down the corridors and stairwells, thinking over the afternoon's activities and the conversation she'd had with Hall, she found a small smile playing about her lips and felt a sort of lightness to her step that had been absent for quite some time. She was, she realized in mild surprise, actually happy for a change. Certainly she was still disturbed by some of the things she'd mentioned to Hall after waking up, but, for the moment, her troubles seemed almost manageable. For the first time since the accident, she felt that she truly had a safety net underneath her, someone who'd support her if and when she needed it. Someone who…

And then, frowning, she stopped where she was, a sudden unwelcome thought hitting her like a thrown brick. 'Oh my God, I'm falling for Hall!' She blinked in disbelief as the realization sank in, and then thought, 'I must be out of my damn mind! He's my partner! Technically, he's my damn boss! And he's not-! He's-! I-! Son of a bitch."

Shaking her head, she thought dejectedly, 'Well, if anything could screw up a promising partnership, this would be it. Never mix business with pleasure… and God only knows how he'd react. Hall's been damn open-minded so far, but…' Unable to finish that, she sighed and then thought, 'Well, one thing's for sure. This is something I've got to keep to myself, at least until it passes.' And then, a bit desperately, she thought, 'God, I hope this passes…!'

As he drove toward home, fighting sleep the whole way, Hall too had his share of odd thoughts. 'For somebody so damn tough on the outside, she sure is fragile on the inside. Her moods swing back and forth like a pendulum on a damn clock, and I swear her ego's as brittle as glass. From what little I've seen, it looks like it'd only take one more good emotional shot to shatter her into a million pieces.' Then, sighing, he thought, 'On the other hand, she's already been through more shit than any three normal people. Christ, if I'd had to go through that kind of hell, I might've lost it by now myself. If anybody ever deserved a damn break, it's her. And it's not like anybody, especially that damn worthless excuse for a chief, is gonna give it to her.'

He felt a smoldering anger take fire in his gut as he remembered what the chief had said that night, and, shaking his head he thought, 'That bastard. How the hell can he lump her into the same category as a damn radar gun or a sniper rifle? Can't the stupid bastard see that she's still a human-damn-being? Shit, I doubt if he even cares.'

And then, remembering the harsh words he'd had with her, what, only four days ago? It seemed so much longer… he thought, 'Yeah, and she didn't deserve the crap I gave her either. Sure, she was showing off, and maybe even bein' a little reckless, but shit. I didn't quite get it then, but after what happened in the club… The look on her face when she saw all those people gettin' shot up, and the way she just jumped into that damn hail of bullets to shield them… She wasn't just blowin' smoke when she said she dropped into every incident she could to try and keep as many people as possible from dying. She isn't a grand-stander. She really cares about other people more than she cares about herself. If there were more damn cops like her out there… hell, for that matter, if there were more PEOPLE like her out there…'

Then, sighing, he thought, 'Yeah, she's good people alright, but I knew that before she was my partner. Back before all this shit happened, and she was just another line troopie in my squad… Even then, she was like that. She's always been the kind of cop who'd take a bullet for somebody else if she had the choice. Christ, I remember the night she bit it… Goddamn, I hate losing my people. And then what they did to her afterwards… But at least she's still alive. And I gotta admit, I can't say I'm sorry about that. The ADP's a better place for still having her around, and I'm damn glad she pulled through the other night. If she hadn't…'

And then, frowning, he thought, 'Hey, wait a minute, now. Where the hell'm I goin' with this?' Shaking his head slowly, he thought, 'Gettin' sweet on your partner would be bad news, Hall, especially with 'Kiko. She's a helluva girl, but right now she needs a friend she can trust, not a boss chasin' after her skirt. And betrayin' her trust like that could be a real bad idea, for a lot of reasons…'

Back at the ADP tower, 'Kiko continued her walk, her thoughts still turbulent. Eventually, she found herself on the second floor, and realized that she was nearing the holding area. 'Well,' she thought, 'I suppose I might as well drop in and see how she's doing. It's not like I have anything better to do, and I guess I owe her that much at least…'

As she approached the door to the holding cell area, 'Kiko stopped suddenly, a peculiar noise on the other side catching her attention. Frowning, she cautiously reached for the door handle, and, turning it carefully so as to minimize the noise, slowly opened the door a crack. Peeking through, she saw the line of five seldom-used heavy holding cells on the right, more an after thought, really, for an organization like the ADP. It wasn't very often, after all, that they brought back anything to hold.

Inside the nearest cell, trussed up in heavy, elaborate restraints that completely covered her hands and bound her in such a way that she could move neither arms nor legs, sat Jillian. With a coolly appraising expression, she scrutinized a group of three fully suited-up ADP line-officers who stood just outside the cell. Two stood with M42A1's at the ready, shouldered and aimed at Jillian, while the other, weapon back-slung, held the source of the odd noise 'Kiko had heard; an activated laser-edged cutter of the type typically used to disassemble boomers.

As she watched, one of the weapon-wielding troopers sidled over to the holding-cell control panel, located safely out of reach of the cells themselves, and quickly tapped in an unlocking code with his off hand. As the locking mechanism clicked, and the door slowly swung open, the trooper with the cutter moved cautiously forward, the blade held out in front of him.

"End of the line, bitch," he said flatly as he advanced.

Cocking her head slightly, Jillian just looked him in the eye, and said, "I don't know why you're doing this. I'm very certain that the injunction filed by Master Asakawa very specifically prohibits what you're about to do. The possibility of losing your job over this doesn't concern you?"

The trooper snorted, and said, "Get real. Who cares about that shit? We know what to do with a rogue goddamn boomer, even if a bunch of bleeding heart liberal bastards don't, and we're willing to take whatever heat comes. But please, resist a little. That'd be just fine with us."

Jillian's expression hardened just slightly, and she said, "No, officer, I don't think I'll do that. One, I wouldn't want to give you the satisfaction. And two, whether or not you believe it, I don't want to hurt you. I've had to hurt too many people in my life, and, if I can avoid it, I don't want to ever have to hurt anyone again."

"Huh!" The trooper said sardonically as he came within reach of Jillian. "Well, you're about to get your wish, then, I guess."

But, as he raised the cutter to strike, 'Kiko decided she'd heard enough. Throwing the door open, she came storming through, yelling, "What the hell's going on here! What on God's green Earth do you three think you're doing!"

All three spun around in unison, two bringing their weapons to bear on 'Kiko. The third trooper, cutter still held in his hands, just stared at 'Kiko, an expression of contempt replacing the surprise on his face, and said, "None of your damn business, freak. Just turn around and walk away; this doesn't concern you."

'Kiko felt her blood practically ignite at these words, and in a low, thinly controlled voice, she said, "Excuse me, TROOPER? First off, I don't remember ever hearing the word 'freak' anywhere in the ADP rank structure, and second, in case you've suddenly gone blind, these are sergeant's pips on my collar. The last time I checked, that means I'M friggin' in charge here! And you didn't answer my question, Trooper; WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING IN HERE!"

Expression hardening even further, the trooper said, "Screw you! We don't take orders from friggin' boomers, which is pretty much what the hell you are. Who-the-hell-ever had the bright idea to stick a friggin' cyborg in the ADP should be shot. And we're doing what needs to be done. End of friggin' story."

'Kiko just shook her head in amazement, and said, "Well, bright-boy, here's a news flash for you: YOU AREN'T DOING JACK SHIT! You've got about three goddamn seconds to drop those pop-guns. Do I need to elaborate on the 'or else'?"

But rather than drop their weapons, 'Kiko could see, as if in slow motion to her hyper-fast perceptions, the telltale shifting and tightening of muscles that denoted they were about to fire on her. In utter astonishment, she just stood, unable to believe what was happening.

The hail of fire from the two M42A1's sprayed over her, bullets ripping through her lightly armored fatigues and then flattening on her carbon-nanotube reinforced hide. The 10mm armor-piercers felt a bit like a heavy rain as they cascaded over her, failing to cause her even discomfort, much less injury. And still, she just couldn't believe it. She was actually being fired upon by her fellow officers. Maybe even by officers whose lives she'd saved somewhere out in the field. And then she got angry.

With a growl, she stepped forward, striding through the hail of lead as though it were water. Reaching the first trooper, Akiko batted the M42 aside, the force of the blow ripping it from his grasp and breaking several of his fingers in the process. As the trooper cried out in pain, clutching his injured hand, 'Kiko hit him with a very restrained palm strike to the chest. Even reigned in as it was, the blow lifted the trooper from his feet and threw him back to slam into a wall with a loud "Whuff!" Breathless and stunned, he slumped to the floor.

Turning to the other carbine-wielding officer, who'd stopped firing as soon as he couldn't continue without hitting his comrade, 'Kiko lashed out with a snap-kick aimed at his weapon. Again, the weapon was torn from his grasp, causing him some injury in the process, and again 'Kiko followed up with a palm strike with similar results.

She turned once more to track the third trooper, and found him engaged in the better part of valor. Slapping the duress alarm on his way out, he ran through the open doorway behind 'Kiko, yelling at the top of his lungs, "Jesus Christ, somebody help me! She's gone friggin' nuts! She'll kill us all if we don't stop her!"

'Oh, come on,' 'Kiko thought sardonically, bringing her grav-blasters online at one of their lowest non-lethal settings, 'What a freakin' ham.' Then, sighting in on the fleeing, over-acting trooper, she fired a single short burst, catching him center mass in the back. With a loud "Woulff!" the trooper was picked up off his feet and then lip-skidded to a halt, out cold, just as another officer rounded the corner to investigate the commotion.

"Son of a bitch!" The trooper yelled, backpedaling and then scrambling back the way he'd come. As he fled, 'Kiko heard him yelling, "Hey! Hey! Everybody get your shit on! We got friggin' trouble!"

'Oh, shit!' 'Kiko thought, her knees suddenly weak. 'What the hell did I just start?' And then, as realization and near-panic hit her simultaneously, 'My God, they're going to think I've gone 'Fanward'! They'll-! Oh, God, I can't let it come to that! I can't!'

Thinking rapidly and probably none-to-logically, 'Kiko whipped around to face Jillian. "We can't stay here," she said quickly. "They're gonna come in here shooting first and not bothering to ask any damn questions. They won't be able to hurt me without breaking out the heavy weapons or the k-suits, but they know that. And they'll likely get you in the cross-fire."

Jillian sighed, and said, "You're probably right, but what do you want to do? Can't you reason with them?"

'Kiko bit her lip, and said, "I- Maybe, but- Oh, hell, I just don't know. They might listen, but- if they don't, it's all over. I won't get into a fire-fight with the whole damned ADP! If that happened… it wouldn't matter who won. My life would be over, one way or another."

"Then our best option is probably to run," Jillian said matter-of-factly. "At least until we can find a way to get the truth through to someone who'll listen."

'Kiko nodded slowly, still mostly in shock, and said, "You're right, I guess. My God…" And then, snapping at least partially back to reality, she said, "But that means we've got to go now. It'll only be a minute or two before they head in here in force!"

With that, 'Kiko stepped into Jillian's open cell, and, bending down, threw her two-hundred kilos of androidial weight over her shoulder like a sack of potatoes. "Sorry," she said quickly, already moving, "But there's no time to take all that crap off right now."

Jillian sighed, and said, "No, I suppose not. Well, what's the saying then? Be gentle with me?"

'Kiko giggled just a bit hysterically, and said, "Don't think I can guarantee that, I'm afraid. So you'd better just brace yourself."

Jillian nodded resignedly, and said, "Right. Let's do it, then."

So. That's it for now. Let me know what you think, and if I can get a little time, I'll try to finish this. If you think it's worth it, that is.