CJ dropped lazily on her bed in Las Vegas three days after Houston. It had gone well, the deal at the Astrodome was closed in no time. She could have done it with her hands tied behind her back, truth be told. And agreeing to have dinner with the Director of Operations probably didn't hurt her success, either.

So now she had a free day to relax before she had to close this last casino deal in Vegas, and she planned to take advantage of it. So many men. So much money. So little time.

She wasn't exactly sure when she had made the transition to CJ the Power Slut, but assumed it had something to do with her parents' deaths. Before that, character had mattered to her. Before they left her, she had actually wanted to be someone they could be proud of.

Now she didn't even look twice at someone if they didn't have a great car and perfectly tailored suits. It was easy to find these men. They were always looked for someone like her. She just wasn't sure when she had started looking for them.

Though she had been able to successfully shove her conscious to the back of her mind for most of the last few years, it had started creeping up on her again. "What do you want, Mom?" she asked the sky in a gesture that had become her signature. "Cause you're gonna have to send me an angel or something if you want me to change." Shrugging her shoulders, she offered her standard surrender. "Cause I think we both know I can't do it on my own."

Considering her next move, she looked through the little dresses and tiny skirts in her suitcase, but didn't really feel like working the casino. She felt more like being alone, but where was she going to go in Las Vegas to be alone?

-----

"Randy, what time do you have to pick Joey up?" John asked as Randy wandered into his room and flopped onto the bed.

Randy looked at his friend and then back at the ceiling. "She's not coming until tomorrow. One of her professors threw a test at 'em today."

John rolled his eyes. He was all for being supportive, but this moping and whining was starting to get on his nerves. "At least she's coming, dude."

Randy nodded. "Yeah. I won't get to see her much, but it'll be good. At least we'll have some time," he said, struggling to sit. "Wanna go do somethin'?"

John shoved his wallet into his back pocket. "Let's go," he said, not wanting to give his friend any time to change his mind.

Randy just hoped Joey could drive Angel, as he had nicknamed her, out of his head for good. He was getting tired of dreaming of her every night and pretending that he was fine, when all he could do was think about finding her again.

They steppped into the hall and down to the elevator. "Hey guys," a voice sounded behind them. "What are we doing?" Dave Batista asked.

"I don't know yet. We're just chillin'," John explained, sharing a man-hug with his friend.

"Casino?" Dave asked, tucking his hand into the pocket of his pleated dress pants.

Randy nodded and looked around the hall. "Sounds like a plan," he concurred, leading the way toward the elevator.

"Alright then," John followed suit. "Let's go win some cash," he smiled.

Randy was about to speak when he turned his head and looked out of the clear glass elevator. And that's when he saw her. At least he thought he saw her.

She was standing on the ground floor, looking at a map with her back to them. She was wearing blue and gold warm up pants and a little tee shirt. But that long, thick, straight black hair and the undeniable figure gave her away.

"That's her," Randy whispered.

John followed his friend's eyeline. "Which one?" he asked as the elevator hit the floor and a group of potted plants blocked their view.

"Damn," Randy muttered as he stepped out quickly and ran around the corner. She was gone. "I know that was her, man."

"What's goin' on?" Dave asked, looking around in confusion. After John quickly filled their friend in on the situation, he paused for a moment to consider the plight. "Don't you think it's possible that you want to see her so badly that you're imagining her?"

It was entirely possible, and he knew it. But he didn't want to believe it. "Let's go," he said, shaking himself from the funk. This was just getting out of hand.