V was standing uncertainty across from Misty's store. The next minutes passed, but it was hard for her to pull herself together and just go inside as she used to. Since Jackie wasn't with them anymore, she still hadn't been able to get all her thoughts right. The need for isolation, also from people close to Jackie, constantly won over her. She just wanted to stop feeling so much. Especially when negative emotions prevented her from talking to her friends; from talking to the only people she could still trust after all this — Jackie's mom, with Misty, with... Viktor.

She closed her eyes lest sadness won. V promised herself that during this difficult time she would try to comfort someone who needed it the most. And then she'll optionally take a dose of happiness from the only person who was able to give her that.

She shook her head and walked into the store to be immediately hugged by a pair of tiny arms.

"V, you've been away so long," Misty said softly. "I'm so glad to see you."

"I'm glad that I finally came," V whispered, feeling a twinge of guilt.a

They sat down next to each other. V noticed with incredible relief that Misty was holding up quite well. The sadness still did not leave the woman's eyes, but it did not also make her smile insincere. The calm that emanated from Misty's demeanor reassured her. To be honest, V thought that she would be comforting Misty, but instead she felt an almost penetrating, concerned gaze on her.

"How are you feeling?" The words came out of Misty's mouth, but it was V who should be asking that questions. Get a grip.

"Actually, I came to ask how you are feeling. Misty... If you need to talk to anyone I'm always here for you. I'm sorry it wasn't like that recently." There was an indescribable sadness in V's voice. Misty seemed to sense any of V's negative emotions. She just grabbed her hand and squeezed benign, even if she didn't know everything.

"We can talk anytime. You know, I prefer to be alone with my thoughts sometimes. If I need to talk to someone, I'll definitely talk to you, I promise. And remember that you can talk to me too. For now, since you're here, I think you should speak to Viktor."

V froze for a moment.

"Something happened to Viktor?"

"No, nothing happened," Misty immediately interjected soothingly. "He's just very worried about you and been asking several times in the past weeks if you have called or written. I think he didn't want to impose himself."

V felt another rush of guilt. She looked down for a moment, trying to calm her breathing. Jackie's death was a blow enough, she didn't want her behavior to worry either Misty or Viktor. They both were really close with him and had enough to worry about, even without her involvement. How the hell am I gonna tell them after all this that nearly ninety-year-old terrorist is overwriting my brain?

When she looked up again, she stopped on Misty's eyes, which were filled with understanding.

"Go. If you want to come I'll be here until the evening," Misty said and then smiled gently.

V nodded, slowly standing up. She felt her heart pound with nervousness.

V knew Viktor would not be mad at her for not having contacted him, but she was terribly sorry that he was worried about her. Especially then. He was the last person she wanted to make feel bad. And, to be honest, she didn't know how to react after so long, after everything that happened.

She went downstairs unhurriedly, delaying her arrival. Finally, she took a few deep breaths and stepped inside.

Viktor was sitting and watching something on the screen, but as soon as he noticed her, his face lit up immediately and he forgot about – apparently – the replay of the boxing match. The sight of his warm smile took her breath away.

"What's up, kid? You haven't been here for a long time." He leaned back, spread his legs, and put his hands on the back of his neck. He studied her for a moment with a concern that he tried very hard to hide under his cheerful gaze.

V picked up a chair and sat down next to Victor.

"Hi, Vik, it's good to see you. Really." Some kind of barrier in her had fallen at the sight of him. She felt an incredible warmth pouring through her body. They were here, in Night City, but somehow fenced off from everything outside. As if they weren't part of it all for a moment. She could sit here like this for the rest of her life.

"Everything is fine?" Vector asked carefully.

Damn. She knew she had circles under her eyes, an unnaturally pale complexion, and looks like she hasn't slept for at least three days. She tried to smile, but only a strange grimace came out.

"Yeah." That's all she got. Yeah. She fought back tears, which stubbornly wanted to get outside. She didn't want to act in front of Victor like some hysterical person. It didn't make things any easier for the fact that she felt all the burden she had been alone recently (except for Johny) and which was desperately trying to get out of her.

Viktor did not seem particularly convinced. On one hand, she sensed his gentle amusement, but on the other, he began to watch her with even more concern. Shit, this meeting was supposed to have little different vibes. Vector moved closer to her. He noticed the change in her face and was silent expectantly. Eventually, single tears began to run down her cheeks.

"Hey, kid, what is going on?" he asked gently, handing her a handkerchief. "Is about Jackie?"

Yes, Vik, is about Jackie. Is about that I missed you, that I want to spend time with the people I care about while I still have time for this. And that would be enough of self-control. She began to cry, unable to suppress her emotions anymore.

Viktor stood up immediately and knelt beside her, not sure what to do next. He had never seen her like this. Seeing that V was unable to calm down, he instinctively and uncertainty wiped the tears from her cheek. She immediately took his hand. For a moment he thought she would move her away, that he had exceeded some sphere of her comfort, but she just pressed her face into his fingers and said in a weak voice:

"I'm sorry I did not come earlier."

He wasn't sure if he heard it right. His eyes widened slightly behind the lenses of his glasses and he stroked her head with his other hand.

"What are you talking about, sweetheart?" There was a pure surprise in Viktor's voice. He quickly regained his clarity as he tried to understand her reaction. "Hey, look at me. Look at me," he repeated, seeing that his words were not reaching her, "tell me what is going on".


Sorry for possible mistakes, english is not my first language :) (if you have any suggestions or language advice, please write).