Disclaimer: Standard rules apply.


Chapter II : New Life, New Hope, New Evil


When I woke up, I felt so much better than I had a few hours ago. Though I felt sticky and dirty from sweat, my body had most of the soreness taken off. As I took a deep breath, I immediately felt that something was missing and realized with dark humor that I had the urge for my baby in my arms. I sat up and looked around the hospital room, noticing that it was bright, even though the blinds weren't open. I then glanced at the clock above the t.v. and saw that it was close to noon. I sighed and looked around again, taking in my surroundings, noting that I had been moved to a recovery room.

I started picking at my hospital bracelet out of boredom and just as I was about to buzz in my nurse, Dr. Obisky strolled in with a clipboard and a big smile on his face. I felt my eyebrow lift with the thought him being in the hospital probably all night and all day. He must've taken narcotics or something, because I couldn't possibly be cheery after staying up all night – even with caffeine.

Dr. Obisky looked up and smiled wide when he saw me watching him. "Oh, good afternoon, Faye! How're you feeling?" he asked as he proceeded to do the routine check-up.

I stifled a yawn and smiled sluggishly at him. "I've been better, but I'm doing pretty good. Where's my baby?" I hoped that my question didn't come too quick and anxious-sounding.

He pulled the stethoscope off his ears. "She's in the nursery, but she'll be coming in soon so you can start nursing her. I'll go tell the nurse right now, since I'm done with your check-up and your health is outstanding," he told me as he took his clipboard and wrote some things down before making his way towards the door. Just as he was about to turn the doorknob, he looked back at me. "Would you like me to tell Spike that he can come in now?"

I felt uneasy with the thought of Spike watching me feed our baby; as if watching me in my most un-beautiful state as I gave birth wasn't humiliating enough, I didn't exactly want him seeing me exposed like that. Even if it's in the most non-sexual way. I wasn't quite ready for him to see me partially naked…again.

"Um, no, not yet," I replied softly, and I think that the doctor understood for he didn't interrogate and just left to get the nurse.

I let out a breath and pushed back unruly strands of hair that seemingly positioned themselves in front of my face, rebelling out of their used-to-be safe bind. I was tired, but excited at this whole new prospect of motherhood. Me, a mother. Words that I once swore would never make their way across my mind. But I was also known for being a compulsive liar, and it made me wonder if I lied to myself about never wanting a future including having a life, love and a family. The love part could be considerably compromised, but now that the rest have proved themselves true despite my denials in the past, I'm actually happy about it.

When the nurse came in toting my baby, I brightened up at the reunion. Already I've been seven hours away from my daughter and the joy of seeing her again was such an astonishment to me. And as the nurse placed her into my outstretched arms, I couldn't fight the smile from creeping up. I watched my child stir awake from her nap, as if she knew to wake up in my arms.

"So you're okay with feeding her? You don't need any help, Ms. Valentine?" the nurse asked and I shook my head, not taking my eyes off the baby.

"No, I'm fine, thanks."

She nodded and smiled at me. "Alright then. Just buzz in if you need me," she said and left shortly after that, but not before adjusting the pillows behind my back so I would be more comfortable with sitting up.

When she left, my daughter let out a small cry and I sighed happily as I got her situated against my breast. The pull against me seemed to reach out towards my heart as well, because I was suddenly overcome with feelings completely new to me. And it was then that I realized my whole life was changed. I couldn't be that same Faye Valentine everyone once knew. I couldn't continue calling myself a Romany and acting like some young – regarding my current state – vixen who didn't have someone else to care for. I couldn't continue to habitually gamble and throw away my money with a snap of my fingers when I now needed to do the opposite. I couldn't keep up this act that my heart couldn't take in another soul. And though my body would regain its striking physique, I certainly couldn't go back to wearing that gaudy yellow outfit.

"Oh, what a prude you've made me to be," I jokingly scolded my daughter. In a way, I was kinda glad that she would make these changes in me. I've since decided that I wasn't too fond of my life when I started having another being living in me, and now that I've continuously ran it through my head like a water mill, change could sometimes be good.

When she finished feeding with a tiny burp, I settled her more comfortably in my arms as she faded back into sleep. She was so beautiful when she slept; innocent and unlike both of her parents, she had a life that was willing to give her all things good. At least, I was going to make sure of it.

As my eyes swept over her, I noticed that her hair was green and smirked.

"Don't you take all of your father's features. Not that he's not good-looking or anything, - God shoot me for just saying that - I just want you to have some of my good qualities too. Hopefully you'll grow to have a woman's body." I laughed and gently stroked her little face, falling in love with the soft feel of her baby skin. This definitely was a change for the better. It was weird, but this was something that I was looking forward to adapting to. Spike on the other hand…

I sighed and felt that same wariness come across me in a heavy blanket, tucking in the edges that left little room to breathe. "I hope your father will get it through his thick and stupid head that he now has a huge responsibility. I don't want him to make empty promises about sticking around and then when things get tough he just gets up and makes a break for it. You know what that would do to you? To me?" I bit my lip and brought took a hold of her tiny hand.

"But you know, despite all my doubts, I have this odd sense of faith in him. As if…somehow I know he's going to be a real father to you. Not just someone who feeds you and changes your diaper when I ask him to, you know? I have this feeling that he'll be there to tuck you in, or to hold when you're crying. And he'll teach you his entire ridiculous fighting techniques. Which is really weird because if you knew who your father was or what he did, I doubt you'd want him caring for you when he seems to have none of that."

She moved slightly and I smiled forlornly. "I just wish Spike would have cared more about me and you when I was pregnant. Okay, I admit, I had been overly bitchy and pissed just about everyone off, but I didn't shut him out of your progressing life. And I know I should have talked to him…about you, about us, about how he was feeling, but I was scared, you know? I was scared to hear what I've feared since the day I told him I was pregnant. That he could have cared less about my situation and that he wanted to have nothing to do with you.

"I felt that if I didn't know how he felt, that I could just wait until you were born so he could see how right this was – meaning you, of course. I wanted him to see that if he had left before your birth, he would see that it would have been a big mistake."

I swallowed the lump in my throat. Here I was, voicing my qualms to the person who didn't understand a word I was saying. Yet, I felt that she needed to know. Because well, it was about her.

"But to be completely and painfully honest, I think the real reason I didn't talk to him was because I was too scared he would have seen how desperate I was for him to stay," I admitted softly, smirking at my stubbornness. "You have a brainless woman for a mother, did you know? You do. I mean if I think about it now, not talking to Spike had to have been the stupidest thing I could have done regarding you. Not talking to him made the chances of him leaving greater since he had no idea that I needed him around."

But did I really? If he never was supportive during my pregnancy, was it supremely worth it to have someone around who wasn't really needed? Why did I want him to stay with me if I could raise this baby all right by myself? Those were questions that I denied answering, because I was afraid of what I might actually find. Some undoing of my heart that would force me to re-assess my feelings. Feelings I didn't want to acquire…yet.

But there would come another day where I would actually think about that stuff. For now, my daughter was the only thing I needed to focus on and I realized once more that she was not yet named. As much as calling her "my baby" was sufficient enough, I doubted the hospital would allow me to name her that. And Spike needed to help me think of a name as well, if we wanted to.

Which led me to thinking about the whereabouts of him. I was sure Jet and Ed were anxious enough to have a look at her, and I was excited of seeing them too. I looked around until I found the buzz comm. on the small table next to my bed. I pushed it and waited until the nurse's familiar voice sounded through.

"Do you need something, Ms. Valentine?"

"Um, yes. You can tell Spike that he can come in now. And also Jet and Ed, if they're with him," I told her.

"Alright, dear. I'll let them know. Do you need anything else?" her kind voice was like that of a grandmother. It made me smile.

"Oh, no, I'm okay for now. I'd just really like to see them…my family," I added quietly and my eyes widened at the latter. Family was a big word with a lot of meaning behind it, and though I seemed to not care about any of them as my family before, now I felt like we were all bound together.

The nurse disconnected with me and I sat there on the hospital bed, waiting for their arrival. I took out the hair tie and combed my hand through my hair in attempt to disentangle it; seeing that was the only thing I could do to enhance my appearance. I just hoped I didn't look too rugged. As I waited, I gently rocked my baby in my arms and a song suddenly appeared in my mind, some old song from Earth. It was a nursery rhyme called "You Are My Sunshine". It was supposedly a favorite of mine before, and I found it fitting to sing to my daughter. I couldn't remember the words, so I just hummed it to her while thinking of a name.

At least she was a girl, so it made the process much easier, and I already had a few names picked out for her. During my pregnancy, I wrote down a list of names for both a boy and girl. I mentally scratched out the boys list and tried to remember which names I liked for a girl.

Charlotte? It seemed too elegant for a baby who was conceived by the two most un-graceful people.

Laurie? Too southern. And seeing as how we didn't live in a southern part of the galaxy – if there was even such a place – it wouldn't work.

Star? No. I won't name my daughter something that is tangible…literally.

Julianne? Definite no. I refuse to name my daughter something that resembles someone not even worth having a namesake. And I'm pretty sure Spike would think that I was playing some sick joke on him.

I sighed and slightly felt that it wasn't right that I was naming our baby without Spike. The door opened then, and I looked up as my humming stopped and saw Ed come running in making weird airplane noises, followed by Jet and then Spike. He looked more refreshed, but probably because of the coffee he had in his hand.

Jet and Ed came towards me, but Spike hung back, staying by the door. I didn't mind him though and watched the other two gush over the baby.

"Ooh! What a pretty Tomato close up!" Ed exclaimed, as she looked the baby over.

Jet just crossed his arms, a ghost of a smile gracing his mouth. "She's beautiful, Faye," he said, his voice obviously neglecting to hide the emotions he was trying so hard not to show, and I inwardly congratulated myself for having done something that Jet really approved of for once.

"Thanks. I really am proud of her," I told him and looked down at her, feeling the joy that I guessed most new mothers had when they were showing their newborns off to friends and family.

Ed reached out to touch the baby's hand and had it grabbed in return in the baby's slumber. She squealed in delight saying, "Look Faye-Faye! She took Ed's fingers!"

I smiled at her and while she and Jet continued to say such nice things about her, I glanced at Spike and saw a concentrated look on his face. I wondered if he was thinking about the baby or me, or both. Or maybe he was thinking about her, wishing it were Julia showcasing their daughter, not me.

"Faye?" I blinked and when Spike's gaze turned to me, I flushed and looked at Jet.

"Sorry, yeah?"

"I just asked when you were going to come home," he said and I forced myself to regain my regular flesh hue because Jet was looking at me with a weird expression.

"Um, after I sign the birth certificate. I'm guessing tomorrow, yeah."

Ed looked up at me with a childlike quizzical look in her eyes. "So where is Faye-Faye and the new Tomato going to sleep? With Spike-person?" Her innocent question was enough to make the blush brand another attack on my face and Spike spit out the coffee he had just taken a sip of. Jet even coughed uncomfortably as he rubbed the hairless top of his head in embarrassment.

I recovered first and laughed to cover up the burning humility I was feeling. "I don't think that there's space for all three of us to fit in Spike's bed, Ed. She needs a crib, and since I'm her mother, the crib will be in my room," I said evenly, hoping that Ed wouldn't press on about the sleeping arrangements.

She didn't, and just nodded happily, returning her gaze to the baby. I didn't dare look at Spike, in case he caught me staring again. I knew he was looking at me, though. I just felt vulnerable under his dull gaze and I wanted to wait until Jet and Ed left to have a talk with him. They hung around for twenty minutes more, until Spike gave a cough and got Jet's attention. I figured they shared a knowing look because Jet suddenly started ushering Ed out of the door.

"I guess we'll be by tomorrow when it's time for you to leave, Faye. We have some cleaning up to do on the ship and I've got to go grocery shopping."

I smiled and waved at them. "Okay. I'll see you later then." When they left, it was just the two of us and even though we've been alone together too many times to count and pass off as civil, there was a baby involved that we both conceived, making the ambiance between us even more unbearable. I took a deep breath, hoping to calm my erratic nerves, but they refused even more when Spike moved from his spot on the wall to stand next to the bed. I busied myself with the baby and we stayed silent for a few long minutes until he spoke, that deep tenor of his voice scaring me out of my wits as it just cut through the dry air.

"I came by earlier," he said without any emotion – well, none that I could detect – but I lifted my eyes to meet his, surprised.

"Really? You didn't have to, Spike." I was unnerved to know because well…I wasn't expecting him to come by, even if he said he would. That, and he watched me sleep.

He cleared his throat and set the styrofoam cup on the table. I watched the steam rise up in a snaking pattern. "I know, but I wanted to, I guess. I said I would."

I smirked. "Did you find anything interesting to hold me against?"

He shrugged and I saw that easy-going, lopsided grin form on his mouth, making me feel somewhat better. I do better dealing with Jackass Spike than I am with Somber Spike. Maybe it's his gaze, or the way he talks, or maybe it's just the fact that he's serious that makes me nervous.

"I've already sold the tape to some guy on the streets this morning," he effortlessly retorted. I shook my head and slightly smirked, but turned to look at the baby when I felt her stirring. She was waking up and as I was about to readjust her position so I could lull her back to sleep, Spike's amazed voice stopped me.

"Faye, her eyes are opening," he pointed out dully, and I would have said something to him, but there was another situation at hand here.

I froze and moved my eyes excitedly back to her face, watching her make her very first 'first' in life. Her eyes were clinched together, but after a few seconds, they slowly opened. I gasped and watched her get accustomed to the lights, waiting as she finally fluttered her eyes in a soft blink, before looking up at me and Spike in a glassy gaze. I felt myself become giddy seeing that she had green eyes…maybe they were speckled with brown flecks, but green nonetheless.

"They're so beautiful. And she's looking at us," I quietly gushed. I smiled down at her. She just blinked at us, and I was secretly pleased that the first people she saw were her parents…together.

Spike's head unceremoniously leaned next to mine to get a closer look at the baby. His scent was entering my nose and I picked up the myriad of aromas like the faint scent of his soap, aftershave, sweat and I assumed that he had been smoking earlier, because cigarette smoke was the most prevalent. I tried not to inhale too deeply because I really didn't want to harbor the fact that I was starting to like it. He seemed pretty indifferent to my inner battles and just looked over our daughter with a slight smile on his face. I decided to do the same, hoping that it would steer me away from being so edgy about Spike's too-close proximity.

"I think that this baby is a reimbursement for all the horrible things that we've done in our lives," I said after gaining space between us again, and meaning it. It was a miracle that the Gods above still had reasoning left for the two of us that they've given us something that's so perfect. Maybe like a chance to do something right for once in our lives.

Spike looked down at me and lifted his brows. "You think?" I couldn't tell if he was being facetious with me or not. With Spike you can't really tell anything.

I shrugged. "How this all came to be…it's still passing over my head, but I know that I'm glad. Are you glad, Spike?" I asked him lightly, half-hoping and half-dreading his answer. I guess this was the moment everything has been leading up to.

He sighed and leaned back, stuffing his hands into his pockets. I knew this as a sign of him stewing over things, being in between contemplation and decisiveness. When he looked at me, I just became baffled. He didn't seem angry or sad or happy. And what really scared me was that I found a look of indifference across his features.

Go ahead Spike, say that you don't care.

"Glad. That can be pulled in different directions, Faye. If you're asking about the baby, then I'll be honest and say that I am. But if you're asking about what we've done, then I can't say that I'm ecstatic about that," his words sounded like lead to me, each one heavy and pounding against my ear drums.

"This baby…she's something different, Spike. Unlike everything else that's ever happened between us, the fact that she was conceived and born can't just be obliterated like another casual spat."

"I know that."

"Don't you see that everything's changed between us? I can't think the same when I'm around you anymore, I can't look at you and see the same Spike that I've always known. Because now I can't just think nothing of you. We're bound together by this child, and that is a really strong link, Spike," I said heatedly.

He threw his hands in the air and started pacing around in front of the bed. "So what do you propose we do now, huh? Would you like for us to make this whole thing legal and get married? What, Faye? Because I'm at a loss here at this whole child raising shit."

I scowled darkly. So much for being cool and collected. "I want to know if you're committed to this, Spike. To our baby. I need to know if you're in this all the way, because if you're not, then I don't want you around. If you're going to be a father, then be one. But I don't want you sticking around because of your stupid pity. We don't need any damn wedding rings to play house. And I need to know what you want," I countered as I watched Spike stop and look at me.

"What I want is for you to know that I'm not going anywhere, Faye. I'm going to be a father, okay? God forbid if I'm going to be a perfect one, but I'm going to try. Because right now, she's all I have to live for in this forsaken universe. Yeah, what we've done was a mistake, but I'm not going to run away from my fears. I'm staying…for her."

I didn't know which hurt worse, hearing for the first time that this was a mistake, or the fact that Spike wanted nothing to do with me. And I couldn't understand why it hurt me so much. I shouldn't be affected by his words; having Spike feeling indifferent towards me would make raising this child easier, right? But I'm afraid Spike's feelings wasn't bothering me as much as my own feelings were.

I blinked and hated myself for being so freaking emotional. "Okay then…good. That's reassuring." And I hated myself even more for sounding so dumb after screeching at him.

The silence that followed our short discussion was so uncomfortable that I could only look at our baby. She seemed unmoved by our loud talking and looked even at ease. I played with her and received a smile and a joyous cry from her that it broke my heart to think that something so innocent was born from a foul mistake.

"This baby…" Spike started and I looked up to find him at the window, looking down at the city of Ganymede.

"Won't change anything between us," I finished for him with grave seriousness and he turned to look into my eyes with a piercing stare. If I had been mistaken, there seemed to be this flash of uncertainty in his eyes. But as quickly as the thought registered in my head, it was gone and replaced by a new, nonchalant one.

Spike's mouth was set in a dour line as he turned back to the window and I sighed, wondering how things got to be the way they were. It used to be so simple to casually argue with Spike about trivial things that we could have done without. But now, I have trouble forming simple sentences that wouldn't make me sound like a dumbfounded teenager. Staring at his eyes cause such a stir within me that I'm forced to stumble back and regain my bearings. How did things so easy become so complicated? I never thought so many thoughts about Spike before; what's becoming of my impassive behavior?

"So," his voice cut through the straining air and I was forcefully pushed out of my daze. I set my eyes on his figure. Funny, the light almost seemed to make him glow. Ironic, comparing Spike to and angel when he's anything but. I refrained from commenting on this and waited for him to finish whatever sentence he started. "What are we going to name her?"

I couldn't help my eyebrows from rising. Here we were, acting like awkward fools right after expressing half of what we felt, and yet it's so easy for Spike to jump back onto that rolling wagon of insouciance. I guess since he did have that skillful way of steering out of situations like this, it was normal for me to follow suit. But then, concerning Spike, his "skills" had a keen way of turnabout and always backed him into his own shallow corner. There really was no way around anything complicated labeled "Spike", was there?

"Well," I said and was impressed at how my own voice seemed to match his tone. "I suppose it's a better time than ever to think of one. Did you have any ideas?" I didn't know if I really trusted Spike's naming ability.

He seemed to think it over, though. I could tell by the way he had that sort of clenching of his jaw and his brow was slightly furrowed. Well, it's not as if I've just suddenly noticed this new idiosyncrasy of his. I've known sine I can remember. "How about Krista?"

I shook my head. "Sounds like it's a shortcut for another long name," I said. "What about Paula?"

He looked at me incredulously. "That sounds like an old woman's name. Chloe."

"No. Josie."

"That sounds like a stripper's name. What about Minnie?"

I scoffed at him. "Well, I don't want my daughter being named after a Disney character," I retorted. I remembered Disney from back in my time, and I wasn't happy with the thought of my daughter being christened after a mouse.

"What?" I smirked and shook my head.

"Nothing, it's an Earth thing. Look, Spike, how are we going to name her if we can't agree on any of the names? And I'm not going to play for it, either. It has to be chosen by both of us."

He sighed and yet another silence crept over the room, but at least it was over something somewhat trivial. Well, at least we weren't angry with each other. I kept looking at our baby, thinking of names in my mind that would suit her. She looked like she needed a strong name, something that would give her meaning, importance. And something pretty. Something like…

"Cailin."

It actually sounded right. I ran the name over and over in my head, and it just seemed to fit any way I look at it. "Cailin," I whispered, immediately loving the way it sounded off my tongue. I looked up to find him watching me expectantly, and I smiled softly. "It's perfect."

A smirk played across his mouth and he just said, "Yeah," before turning back to the window.

I frowned lightly and looked back down to our newly named daughter, and I reflected on the fact that this new baby was exactly what I needed in my life right now. A constant, and a reminder that maybe I can do something right for once.

And I swore to the heavens that I would do it good, with or without Spike around.


The next afternoon the baby and I were well and ready to go home. Spike had stayed around for the night, something that would've shocked me to the floor, but I had been in bed the whole day, so I was just shocked. He seemed unaffected by the whole ordeal, like he usually is, but I was too anxious and heedful to be calm when he sat there in a chair by the window. It was strange though, because somehow I had slept better than I had earlier nights.

Spike and I were waiting in the lobby on the main section of the maternity ward, waiting to sign the birth certificate when Jet and Ed came by. I smiled at them as they approached us, greeting both Spike and me, but crooning more over Cailin.

"So, have you picked out a name yet?" Jet asked, smiling down at her.

"Cailin Alexy," I told him and Ed's head popped up from somewhere behind Spike as she repeated the name like a cheerful mantra.

"Cailin Alexy! Cailin Alexy! Kay-Kay!" It seemed that Ed already adopted a nickname for the baby now.

Jet smiled gruffly and sank into the chair next to Spike, who had been a nincompoop the whole morning, groaning and moaning because he didn't sleep right last night. I replied with the standard eye rolls.

"Well, that's a great name you two." He glanced at Spike and raised an eyebrow. "What's up with you, Spike? Have a bad night?"

He grumbled and I rolled my eyes, shifting slightly so I wouldn't wake Cailin. "He's just being a baby because he slept on a chair all night."

Jet just looked at Spike and Spike narrowed his eyes at the floor. "You didn't seem to mind laughing at me when I couldn't get comfortable," he retorted pitifully and I shrugged my shoulders, smiling slyly.

"It was your choice."

He remained silent for the next few minutes while Jet and I gushed on about the baby. I noticed from the corner of my eye that although he kept a scowl on his face, I saw him watch over the baby with a perceptive eye. It made me happy, in a way, to know that Spike cared so much.

Finally, after some time, a nurse came out and came over to us, smiling. "Okay, Ms. Valentine, all you need to do is fill out all the information, sign and then you and your baby are all set to go home," she said and proceeded to hand me a clipboard. Before she turned to leave though, she gave Spike a wary look and made a 'tsk' noise, which I assumed only put Spike into a more sour mood.

But he did look over with interest along with Jet and Ed as I filled out the necessary information. Once I finished, Ed, in her fashion, quickly took the clipboard to give back to the front desk, balancing it on her head as she zoomed along. I stood up, clutching Cailin to my chest tighter as I waited and watched Spike and Jet follow suit. Spike took my bags and we followed Ed out of the hospital and were greeted at the entrance by two cabs, courtesy of Jet.

I carefully got into the back seat and Spike soon slid in after me, making sure I was in a comfortable position. As we made our way back to the Bebop, I realized that this was start of a new life for all of us, and looked down at the new member of our family, our team and smiled as she started to wake up, confirming my beliefs that this was the start of a new and good life for us all.


The office, over looking the wide range of the city of Tharsis, was dark as all the floor-to-ceiling windows were closed up, something desired by its occupier. The room was lusciously dressed, fit for someone who obviously had a lot of money as everything in here was worth over millions of woolongs. A long, mahogany desk polished to gleam off any light was at the moment being worn and torn by perfectly manicured nails, but the task of re-buffing it was not a problem, as the desk would be cleaned again in seven hours.

And at the moment, a woman was sitting impatiently at the head of the table, wondering why it was taking her assistant so long to retrieve something that she was assured would "knock her out of her pants" though she never wore anything that concealed legs that were obviously meant to be shown off. She even half-heartedly considered firing her for keeping her from other important matters, such as the next assassination of some dictator. That, and she was missing her 3:00 pedicure.

Bright blue eyes made of steel glanced towards the clock and she clicked her tongue, really hating to be the one waiting, as it should be the other way around. She gracefully picked up her letter opener and threw it towards the opposite wall from her just as the door opened, the object barely missing the threshold occupant by three inches, impaled into the wall a good six inches. Her aiming was weak, but she gave herself some credit seeing as how the door was twenty feet away from her.

A woman stepped into the office, looking as if she was unfazed by the fact that she had almost been struck in her eye by a device used for ripping open paper. She smiled brightly at her employer, somehow ignoring the fact that the woman sitting down was staring at her with a dangerous glint in her eyes.

"What is so important that you had to drag me out of my home and made me wait?"

The younger woman continued her exultant trek towards the desk and when she stopped a good foot away from it, she set a folder down in front of the woman saying, "I just found out the greatest news you will never believe!"

A rolling of bored eyes was awarded to her. "Well just bite me in the ass then, will ya? What the fucking hell is this?" The woman glanced down at the manila folder her interest clearly not peaked.

"Just open and find out."

"Such enigma this is," she dryly said, opening the folder. It took her five minutes before she let out a reaction. "Well I'll be fucked up the ass. My, my, my, my, my, the two most desirable people in this universe have been busy, huh? Well now, we've just narrowed down our search for the new heiress of this Syndicate." She closed the folder with a whole new agenda working its way into her mind as she dismissed her assistant, mulling over the new information.

She smirked and pushed a button, opening one of the long blinds as she swiveled around in her chair, looking down on the busy streets of downtown with mild lackadaisical attitude, concerning more about the new future of this wonderful and powerful consortium.

Slowly, a grin appeared on her ruby lips.

"Finders keepers."