A/N: This one might be a little sloppy and rushed, but hey, I did it!

-Hebei Province, Day 9-

Having had a few the night before at the hot springs like Duo Lon had promised-and then several more at the downstairs bar when they got back to the house-the crew was moving just a little slower this morning. They had pre-empted their packing and done most of it the previous evening, so the day would be fairly free, without having to rush. They had all even decided to do some laundry the evening before. They could have had it done via the hotel, but given they had access to the machines, they figured they'd just cut out the extra calls to the hotel's service. Adel lived around butlers and servants his whole life, and liked to get away from that sort of thing sometimes.

They'd be staying in an airport hotel tonight, as planned. They all were in full agreement that they'd rather just have a quick, twenty-minute drive to the airport in the morning, and the ability to just take their time getting to the hotel this evening.

Adel was now standing in the backyard with his coffee. This morning was sunny, as opposed to many of the others, and thus it was a bit warmer, though the air was a little drier than it had been. He had enjoyed the lazy, gray days spent at his friend's home, and had made it a point to take him up on his offer to come back at some point. He'd miss the place, though at the same time was ready to get back to the city for the final few nights of their trip. There were still things he wanted to see, and he welcomed getting back to a bit of a faster pace for awhile. He wanted to hit a couple of bars, meet Shen again to plow through another bucket of Shanghai hairy crabs, and go hit up some street food vendors for an entire afternoon.

Turning to look inside, Duo Lon was busily cooking up a bunch of the rest of the perishables. They had just about finished everything off as it was, leaving the place back to where it started when they arrived. He had a big pot of tea eggs on the stove, and was also making a bunch of other odds and ends with them as he had been, warming a bunch of meat buns in the oven, as well. They'd probably go for the crispy fried noodles he had suggested for lunch, before just grabbing dinner at the hotel tonight.

"Back to the city tomorrow morning, then," Adel said, looking over the place.

"Yes. We'll have to take him up on the visiting offer, I think."

"Absolutely." He examined some of the flowering bushes in the backyard; the grass had dried already, as they had slept in somewhat past what they usually did.

"Still, I admit, there's more of the city I want to see. I suddenly had the mood to go hit that mall up again. There were a few places I wanted to check."

"Same here. Especially in the food court," he grinned. "You know, it's hard to believe we're down to our last five nights or so?"

"It is," Whip replied wandered out near the back of the yard, checking out the forest paths they had walked the day before. "It's going so fast."

Inside, Duo Lon had almost finished cooking everything up, while Leona sat at the kitchen table having one of the tea eggs which she had grown to like. Checking out the window, he smiled.

"Glad everyone had fun here. I enjoyed having you guys." The group had requested the tofu brains one more time, so he had whipped up a small batch of it and was now placing it into bowls. He had also made some sweetened congee, adding some dried fruit he had found. Adel had asked him for some the night before, wanting to try some better stuff than the plane had served.

She nodded, polishing the egg off before washing it down with coffee. "I hope to come back."

He sat next to her with his own cup, setting some stuff up on his plate. "I really hope you can make it this autumn. Again, I usually come here for a bit longer around that time."

She reached over to touch his hand, smiling softly. "I would definitely like that. I may try to sneak in a vacation. Need to go spar in another part of the woods, maybe. I think I'm...probably due for some extra days off, anyway."

Touching her hand with a finger, he smiled at that, before starting to eat. Swallowing his first bite of a sesame pancake, he glanced outside.

"Maybe we should get them. Adel's probably hungry."

Leona chuckled at that. "I'll poke them." She went out back to tell them that the food was on, Adel turning to walk inside rather quickly, as was expected. The four then sat around the table with the rather big pile of food, making their way through it almost methodically as some of Duo Lon's harsh music played softly on the stereo in the background.

Mostly quiet, they simply enjoyed the atmosphere.

Finishing packing his bag-having dropped off his newer vinyl on his extensive shelves, and picking up some different CDs to bring along to listen to instead-he noticed Leona looking at a few CDs herself on the wall. The clock read a little before noon, so no one was in a rush. They wanted to get to the hotel sometime before eight, and so planned to leave around five.

"Borrow anything you want," he said. "Just make sure you bring them back when you visit."

She smiled at that, knowing exactly what he meant. Combing the shelves, she selected a few and placed them safely into her bag, where she was about to finish packing herself. The clothes had the fresh from the dryer smell, which was always more welcoming than a hotel dry cleaner.

"You're still coming back to the Sky Noah with us, right?"

"Yes," he said. "For another week, perhaps, unless I am needed before that."

"Your jet lag must feel good."

Duo Lon smiled at that as he searched his shelves, finding a small box. He had selected some more of his favorite, usual tobacco, along with another type; this had a slightly spicier taste, though still mild. He particularly liked this one for after a rich meal, especially if he had some fine alcohol with it.

"I'm about finished," he said. "Not that I need to remember much." He was the type who could survive anywhere on almost nothing, but he did grow to like comforts a little later in his life, having lived a lot of his youth in harsher training conditions. While he didn't have Adel's nearly endless wealth-though the blonde would fork over for him whenever he wanted to travel-he did very well for himself with some of his higher-paid jobs, and would spend it on lavish goods from time to time. People looking to off a nasty, though high-profile politician or underworld head paid massive sums for an assassin of Duo Lon's skill, and did not dare renege on a contract.

"Same here. I'll keep the CDs safe," she said, a little smile on her face. Turning to face his shelf as he extinguished the candles he had burning for atmosphere, she stared at the skull...finally deciding to say something. "By the way…" she started.

Seeing what she was looking at, he nodded. "It was my first. We kept our first...as a reminder. Of life, death, how quickly it can be snuffed, and how underneath, this is all we are."

Blinking, she nodded. He talked about it very matter-of-factly; while he had told her several stories of his past, there were other things that he did not bring up with anyone. When examining the skull more closely, one could see some deep claw marks in the top; as if the young assassin had to get a purchase first. It almost made her sad, knowing that he had been trained to do this so young. She had simply taken an interest in the military because of her adoptive father, who took her in after the worst trauma of her life, but joining the military, at least, was her choice. She felt like he almost didn't have one in terms of his life occupation.

"I admit, curiosity got the best of me."

He shook his head. "It's fine." He touched her under the chin with his hand, running a thumb over her cheek, to show that he was glad to be a little open around her. As far as he was concerned, his life was just something he dealt with; it was not an issue to him. His heart ached far worst for what she had gone through when she was young...all while being impressed how she had managed to cope the best she could with everything.

As they finished collecting odds and ends to fit into their bags, they saw Adel coming up holding his own, though he still had a few articles of clothing slung over his shoulder.

"I think I got everything. If you find a pair of my underwear or something, apologies in advance."

Duo Lon chuckled at this. "I'll remember that."

"What time are we hitting the road?"

"Whenever you guys want to leave."

Whip came up the stairs, holding her own luggage. They had stripped the bed and fed the linens into the wash early in the morning, and were now drying them. Putting her bag on the couch to sort the last few things out, she smiled.

"I think we have everything."

"Take your time," Duo Lon replied. "I suggest we maybe try to check in by around eight, but even then it's not important."

"That sounds good. And I don't mind if you drive us back, by the way," Adel said. "You know it better. I can speed us around Germany, but I'd probably run us off in the woods somewhere."

Nodding, Duo Lon went to go make the crew a pot of coffee for them to drink during the day. Afterward, he heated up a big pile of the sweet red bean buns they had left in the fridge for them to just grab when they wanted.

With Adel there, it would not be a problem to finish everything else off.

"If you had to choose," the blonde started, "Rent a castle, or try to get that London manor again for a fall barbeque weekend?"

Leona smirked softly at the mention at the manor, though said nothing. Duo Lon had started to get the crispy fried noodles ready for lunch, and they could see the faint smile on his face, as well. Adelheid and Whip both had more fun at that summer party than they had in ages, so they had strongly started to lean toward that for their October destination.

"I'm game for either," Whip said, finishing and zipping her luggage shut. "London is a little trip away, though the Sky Noah can get us there. A castle is probably closer, but a little excessive for what we need it for...though would make for a hell of a weekend." After a few more moments of thought, she started giggling. "Though unfortunately, watermelons are out of season. How about a pumpkin?"

Adel blinked, raising an eyebrow at her as he stopped what he was doing after a few moments. Whip grinned evilly, snickering under her breath. He continued adjusting a few things before walking by and grabbing her butt once firmly and then walking to the kitchen, the soldier uttering a delighted laugh.

"Did you get the rooms?" Duo Lon asked.

"Oh yeah. Two on the top floor."

"Even for a night?"

"Why not?" the blonde shrugged. "Might as well be comfortable."

"No complaints here," she said, watching Adel as he walked back to the couch to sit and lounge. She lay on it herself, her head on his lap, stroking his muscular thigh for a moment before closing her eyes. He immediately ran his hands through her soft hair, relaxing as he saw Duo Lon carry his bag out to the car.

"No worries," the assassin told him. "I'm just getting a few things done now."

"Gotta turn anything off?"

"Not until we leave." He left out to take care of sticking his bag there, Leona following him, having finished everything.

Whip looked up at Adel a moment, rubbing his stomach as she lay there, her hand tracing over one of the many scars he had collected.

"This okay for an anniversary?" he asked her suddenly. "I feel like I should...I dunno, be getting yo-"

Whip cut him off by sitting up somewhat to meet him in a kiss, her hand sliding into his familiar, soft hair. His own traced around her back, and they stayed as the other two figured out packing the car.

Outside, Duo Lon looked over at Leona as he checked around the side to make sure everything was secure.

"Did you enjoy it?" he asked.

"Yes," she said immediately. "More than the city. Though, that's fun too," she smiled.

"I know the feeling."

"I'll come back though. Definitely."

He walked by her, brushing his deadly hand over her face gently as he smiled; not saying a word.

The clock on the dashboard read seven-thirty; they had made rather excellent time.

Turning around, Leona noticed Adel and Whip having both fallen asleep in the back of the car. Chuckling, she poked Adel's leg, which was the closest to her seat.

"I think we're there soon," she said.

Snorting, the blonde opened his eyes, rubbing his windblown hair. He looked around, sipping from the bottle of water that he had in front of him. He didn't really recognize the scenery-it was more mountains and trees-but he noticed Duo Lon relaxing in the driver's seat, having slowed to a fairly consistent sixty-five at this point. The sun was setting well; checking his watch, he saw the time and realized they must have been out for awhile.

"Morning," he chuckled, gently stroking Whip's hair to wake her. The assassin had one of his blistering albums playing in the car's CD player, though they had slept through most of it.

Duo Lon glanced over his shoulder. "We'll be back in the city in about twenty minutes. You'll be able to see it once we get over this hill. It'll still take us some time to get to the hotel, but we made perfect time getting back."

"Stayed clear, it looks like?"

"Indeed."

"How long were we out for?"

"You guys passed out after we left the village," he chuckled.

Leona simply smiled softly, leaning back in her seat. She had touched Duo Lon's arm lightly for a moment.

Having heard the chat and felt Adel's touch, Whip soon opened her eyes and yawned. "I usually don't pass out that fast."

"We probably slept kinda bad last night," Adel chuckled. Indeed, between the drinking, and the fact the two had not gone to sleep right away but instead decided to have a little fun, they had maybe slept only a few hours.

"Your fault," his partner replied, tickling his side.

He just shrugged, passing her the water bottle, grinning.

They had left Duo Lon's house without much fanfare; he turned off the water and gas, unplugged what he had to, and locked up. They were on the road rather quickly after that, the two in the back at first enjoying the ride, but then drifting off after they had stopped by the village. Duo Lon and Leona chatted much of the time softly up front, enjoying the scenery.

Leona sat up to look out over the horizon; she could see the beginnings of the city as they drove.

"Look," she smiled. "It's so clear."

"We may not get to see it light up until we get in," Duo Lon replied, "But it's still a nice view."

The others looked over to watch as they pulled in; the sunset looked lovely from where they were, and the windows cracked offered some rather nice wind coming through. They had used the air for most of the trip, but now opted for some natural breeze to enjoy, before they ended up back in the more stifling Shanghai, which would likely be about five degrees warmer.

They pulled into Shijiazhuang rather quickly and made their way to the hotel; pulling the windows back up, they watched as the lights came on in the city finally, it getting dark enough for them to do so. Duo Lon knew exactly where they were staying, as it was the nicest hotel in the place.

Giving the rental car to the valet as they reached it, they grabbed their luggage and walked inside, looking forward to what the rest of the trip would bring. The smell of the hotel was familiar; Adel could swear that no matter where he would go-and he had stayed in hotels a lot his whole life, usually luxury ones, while on business trips-they had a familiar scent that he could not explain.

Having taken care of everything online, they checked in quickly, heading up to their lavish suites that they would be in for all of twelve hours. Once again they were next door; the four all went into Adel and Whip's first. While these were not as large and stocked as their suites in Shanghai-where the majority of their things were still located-they did have a minibar which they all decided to grab sodas from as they sat around the table. The big blonde stifled a yawn with the back of his hand before his stomach rumbled.

"It is getting late," Whip said, reaching over to rub said stomach affectionately, sipping the can. "And we hadn't really eaten since two."

"Think we need reservations?" Leona asked.

"Not for this place," Duo Lon said. "This is a popular enough hotel, but it's usually not very crowded. I've stayed here a couple of times-I've had to fly in late and I was too tired to make the drive."

"Well then. Let's get going. I have a menu to attack," Adel said, standing and stretching, heading immediately for the door.

"Wait for us," Whip replied, chasing after him, leaving Duo Lon to look kindly at his friends, glad he was able to actually host some more people he was genuinely close to at his home for a few days.

-Shanghai, Day 10-

"Heeeeey!" a familiar, loud and boisterous voice exclaimed as the crew wandered into the main lobby of the airport.

Duo Lon rolled his eyes, smirking. "Hello, Shen."

The night had gone fairly smoothly; after dinner-which had been quite tasty and filling, the crew enjoying some dragon beard noodles this time-the four had just retired to their rooms, put on the hotel televisions out of curiosity, and fallen asleep. Their flight was at nine, and they had managed to get to the airport without a hitch, drop the rental car off, and hit their short flight back to Shanghai, quite relaxed after their countryside getaway.

Whip giggled. "You came to meet us!"

"I had to. My friend here told us when you'd be due back. I even woke up sort of early!" the brawler grinned. "How did you guys like his farm?"

Leona stifled laughter. "It was nice," she said.

"He would have you believe I live in a barn, even though he seems to be the one raised there."

Flipping off the assassin as he would, Shen looked at them. "So...anyone up for some dinner tonight?"

"Where at?" Adel asked.

"There's a place I know of that serves all of its food in damn near double-sized portions."

The big blonde grinned. "You're speaking my language."

"I know of this place," Duo Lon said. "Shen may have issues behaving himself among refined company, but he does know how to pick a restaurant."

"We'll meet there tonight. I have some things to do today, but I'll ride with you guys back to the hotel and we can meet later."

The five first stopped by one of the small shops to get coffee to go before walking out. They started to look for the car Duo Lon had requested; Adel had told him to go ahead and get a limo this time.

"There it is," Adel stated.

Seeing the car, Shen blinked. "Did...you guys get a damn limo?"

"Yeah," Adel grinned. "Might as well since we're only here a few more nights."

Smiling and greeting them, the driver let them inside as the five piled around the back, Shen immediately propping his legs up on the seat directly across from him...where Duo Lon was sitting. Leona was at his other side, the soldier unable to hold back her smirk.

"I can't say I've ridden in a limo like this. I rode in one. Once. Kind of. It was a lot smaller."

"That was one of those black taxis driving a Town Car, wasn't it?"

"I...kind of close?"

"Driven by one of your old enemies?"

"...Maybe."

"And you ended up under a bridge somewhere?"

"Okay, maybe I should have checked to see if I wasn't getting set up."

Whip snorted laughter as she leaned against Adel, looking out the window at the somewhat familiar scenery passing by. At this point they had been back and forth from the airport three times, and sort of recognized a few things here and there.

Sipping at his cup of coffee, Duo Lon stretched his neck out and eyed Shen.

"If I bring you some spices over, we can do the crabs again. I could make them better this time."

"You guys are always welcome while you're here. You know that."

"I'd be up for it," Adel added.

"Lemme know when, so I can get an extra case of beer, too."

"Try not to drink it all before we get there this time."

"Oh, are you still remembering that one time…?"

Duo Lon just shrugged, leaning back against the limo's chair, his coffee held between his legs with one hand. Whip settled back against Adel as the latter's arm slid around her, and the five enjoyed a fairly smooth trip back to the city to begin the last quarter of their seemingly all-too-fast moving vacation.

A/N: Nice for Shen to greet them on their return, at least.

This one was kinda messy, and for that I apologize; it was sort of a 'transition chapter'. While the initial travel to Duo Lon's place was different since it was their first time, I didn't want to replay everything in reverse, and go through reverse packing, etc etc, for too long, so in the end it may have been a little rushed feeling.

But in any case, we're back in Shanghai for the last few days!