Mercy moaned quietly, as she leaned over and turned off the alarm clock. Sooner or later she would finish unpacking, but for the moment she would have to deal with it. Her bags strewn across the small room, forced her to tread carefully, as she stumbled to her bathroom. After her conversation with her father, she couldn't sleep, so she stayed up and finished more of her work. When she was finished showering, she pulled her hair into a sloppy bun, and quickly got dressed. Normally she would have been on her way by now, but she allowed herself to sleep in, since her night wasn't as restful as normal. She had four days till she would see Izaya, and she was secretly nervous.

"Good morning friend, how are you?" Shyanne sang, as she quietly danced around the small cubicle.

"Tired, how was your date last night?" Mercy groaned, settling in her chair.

"Wonderful," Shyanne sighed. "But I am sorry that you had to be by yourself."

"It's fine, I had dinner with a friend, I ran into Shizuo, and father called. So I had a few nice surprises."

"O that good, so how is Takuma?"

"He's as to be expected." Mercy muttered. "Tired and sore, but he could always be worse, right?"

"True story, dude, do you need to talk about anything?"

"Huh, no, no I'm fine." Mercy smiled, "I'm just getting ready for work. No worries friend."

"Psh, it's our job to worry about you. After all, you're always looking out for us." She laughed. "Anyways, Mr. Boss-man is in a particularly bad mood today, meaning I can't slack off, so I'll see you later."

"Bye friend, I'll see at you at lunch."

When lunch came around, Mercedes leaned back into her chair, and glanced at her friend; Shyanne was getting yelled at, by the boss, and looked like she was about to break something. It wouldn't have been a good idea to walk in, but Mercy knew exactly what to do. Instantly she dialed the secretary's number, and waited for the angry greeting.

"Mr. Heart's office, this is Shyanne, how many we help you?"

"Hey sunshine, I need your help, do you thing I can borrow you?"

Both Shyanne and Mr. Heart glanced over, to see Mercy waving. There was a moment where they argued a bit more, but eventually Shyanne walked out. From the looks of her walk, she was not in the mood for any shenanigans.

"You looked like you needed to be rescued." Mercy half smiled.

"I did," Shyanne sighed. "Please tell me it's time for lunch."

"Heck yes, I think we should go to the coffee house and snack on muffins."

"Agreed, let's go get us some muffins."

"Will Channy be joining us?"

"Naw, she's in surgery today."

Both girls walked along the sidewalk as they talked about how a mermaid could have sex. Random conversations are always present when Mercy is with her friends. A black motorcycle passed the girls, as they talked, diverting their conversation to the headless rider and how "it" reminded them of the headless horsemen.

"Man, I love that movie," Shyanne muttered. "Johnny Dep is so hot."

"True story man, I would give my left leg to meet him." Mercy giggled.

"Hello, how may I help you ladies?" the cashier questioned, when they reached the desk.

"I demand a caramel frappe with a blueberry muffin of goodness."

The young man glanced at Shyanne in pure shock, as Mercedes chocked down a chuckle. It was good to be home. In receiving an annoyed glare from Shyanne, he took her money and looked towards Mercy.

"Your new here right?" Mercy questioned, and he nodded shyly. "Don't worry; she's just odd like that." Mercy smiled before ordering. "I'll have a tall vanilla latte with an almond muffin thank you."

"What do you think we should do this weekend?"

"I'm not sure if I can do anything, tonight we will see if I finish off the three books I have to edit." Mercy yawned. "Man, I'm not going to lie some of these authors are long winded."

"O, yeah I know that's why I'm not an editor. I do not envy you friend."

After getting their food and caffeinated drinks, the two girls headed back to work. They weren't going to eat everything at their desk, just because Mercy had a ton of work left to do.

What's your last name?

Mercedes found herself looking oddly at her cell phone, before answering the strange man.

Sado, why do you ask?

*Ballad of Mona Lisa*

Izaya cursed under his breath, as the computer screen remained blank. Could she have lied to me about her name? He never had this much trouble before, and it bothered him. When his phone buzzed against his desk he breathed in a sigh. Sado huh, that's oddly specific. Izaya grunted before thanking her. Maybe now he could find more information about this girl, his new interest.

Before he could do anything, Namie walked into the room. For reasons unknown to him, he switched the screen, so she wouldn't see what he was up to.

"What are you up to?" she questioned, as she filed books onto his book shelves.

"Nothing really, just trying to research a new experiment," Izaya sighed, as he leaned back into his chair.

"Trying," Namie questioned, taking the time to glance back at him. "What do you mean by that?"

A sly smirk crossed his face, before he sat back up. "Nothing, Mrs. Namie, I'll be leave town today please call a cab for me"

"Hello," Mercedes questioned tiredly.

Her mother's voice broke through the receiver, forcing her to sit up. The older woman wasn't frantic; she was more confused, as she spoke to her daughter. Since it was early afternoon, Mercy slowly walked to her kitchen, so she could eat breakfast.

"Darling, where did you put my car keys?" She questioned, after the normal pleasantries.

"Mom, you don't need your keys, Mrs. Kim is going to drive you were ever you want to go."

"Mercy, dear, I don't know what you're thinking, but I can drive where ever I want. Now, where are my keys?" Kurenai snapped.

"I don't know mother, but I have to go." Mercy sighed, knowing she wasn't going to win this argument. "I'll call you later tonight, bye."

Before she could actually say the last sentence, there was a click on the other side of the receiver. Her mother had hung up on her, but by now she was getting used to the mood swings. Since she was awake, Mercedes showered, dressed, and left her house. There was an adventure hiding away for her, and she was going to find it, before Izaya picked her up.

"Good afternoon sunshine." Shyanne sang, as she leaned over the cubicle walls.

"Jell-o shy, shy, how are you?" Mercy sighed.

"I am well," Shyanne smirked, "Did you have fun this weekend, you workaholic?"

Shyanne's hands dangled over the walls, showing Mercy nicely packaged manila envelopes, with her name on it. It took her a moment to be able to answer her friend's question, but she managed to find her voice again.

"Fun isn't the word I would use, but I was mildly entertained." Mercy smiled slyly. "So, is that the new stack of book's I'm to edit?"

Instantly Shyanne's face dropped into a frown, but she nodded her head anyways. "Yep, Mr. Boss man has sent you these pages with love in his heart, and money on his mind."

"Ah, dearest friend, it does not matter what is on his mind, as long as I have another set of books." Mercy mocked her friend, with a cocky smirk pulling her lips back. "Now, give me."

"That isn't a nice way of asking for anything." Shyanne snatched the envelopes away, before her friend could actually get it. "Now I want a pretty please, with a cherry on top, and I love you very much shy."

"Fine, Shy I love you very much, may I please have my work."

"That's not what I wanted," Shyanne pouted, "O well; I have to get Mr. Boss man coffee."

"Bye-Bye friend, have fun serving Mr. Boss man."

They called their boss that so often, they were convinced half of the new staff members didn't know his real name. Sometimes, they even forgot his real name. Mercedes watched as her friend walked back into the boss's office, with a small tray of coffee for three.

Kanra entered chat room

Kanra: I see you're online…How was your weekend?"

Mercy glanced at the blinking message on her screen. At the moment she was unsure whether or not to answer him, or keep working.

Takuma: It was full of work, yours?

Kanra: Not as eventful as I hoped, but I've found enough. Now, I wished to tell you to wear something nice for tonight.

Takuma:?

Kanra: Nothing too nice, but every time I see you in jeans and some sort of shirt. For our first meeting I would like to see you in…maybe a skirt or dress…or something.

Takuma: And what if I wear my normal garb, would you be terribly disappointed?

Kanra: Yes, so I am expecting you to be dressed accordingly.

Takuma: I have to get back to work.

Takuma left chat room

Mercy chuckled to herself, as she finished up the first of the books she was assigned. When Shyanne poked her head into her silver haired friend's cubicle, she couldn't help but smile. Mercedes had always been obsessed with her work, and sometimes it took Shyanne and Chandasea dragging Mercy out of the room, for her to act her age.

"So friend, are you going to lunch with us, or what?" Shyanne questioned sweetly.

"Not today, I'm going to try to finish up all of today's work." She half smiled. "Where are you guys going?"

"Channy wanted to go to that one Italian restaurant; I'll bring back some food for you." Shyanne paused, to glance at the boss's office. "Don't need you working on an empty stomach."

"Thanks love, I'll pay you back"

"Sure, see you in a few."

Mercedes couldn't believe she was actually doing as Izaya had asked of her, and most of all she couldn't believe she was still deciding on which skirt to wear. When she got home, about an hour ago, she had showered, done her hair, put a little make up on, and fed her fish. She still had half an hour till Izaya would pick her up, so she walked back into her living room. One of her favorite episodes of Invader Zim was coming on, and the time would make her decision easier.

Mercy chuckled as she skipped back into the room. She had about a minute to decide what to wear, before Invader Zim came back on. During the show, she dressed in her underwear, and now she just grabbed some clothes. Since she was in a bubbly mood, she pulled her navy blue tank top and light blue skirt on. Just after she got her black boots on her door bell went off. Instinctively her eyes went to the clock. Izaya was early, about ten minutes early.

"Ok Mercy, there is no need to be nervous, this isn't a date." Mercy whispered as she walked to her door. "You're early. You're not Izaya." She couldn't help but chuckle when she saw the black rider.

Right, Izaya sent me to pick you up. I hope you don't mind.

"Not at all….so, where are we going?" Mercy questioned as she locked her front door.

I'm not allowed to tell you. She paused before pushing the cell phone in Mercy's face again.

Why are you having dinner with Izaya, if I may ask?

"He said he wanted to get to know me. Celty do you work for him?"

Mercy fallowed the rider to the black motorcycle as they conversed, well if one could call it that. Mercy had grown up in a very conservative house hold, so even though she wished to ask the rider if she really had no head, Mercy stayed quiet. When Celty turned, to answer Mercy's question, she mounted the motorcycle.

Yes, well sort of, I do odd jobs for him. Have you ever been on a bike?

"I have, my father had one when I was younger." Mercy glanced at her skirt, happy that she chose to wear shorts under it.

Ok, just hop on and hold on tightly.

After a moment of hesitation, Mercedes sat behind Celty and hugged her tightly. Soon they were rushing past cars, light posts, and buildings at blurring speeds.

The sleek navy blue motorcycle tore through the air, whipping Mercedes hair all around the two bodies. At the time, Takuma had to tie Mercy's hand around his waist, so his precious package wouldn't fall off. The young girl watched as the lights blurred together, before she buried her face into her father's back. It was mid-winter in Germany and Mercedes face started to go numb. Takuma needed to get away from the hotel. The two adults had gotten into an argument about something or another, and it had upset their child.

He had dressed his daughter into an Eskimo type top and furry boots before taking her outside. By the time the two got home, Mercedes had fallen asleep, and Takuma forgot about why he needed to leave his wife for the moment.

We are here.

Mercy hadn't noticed they were stopped in front of a white building. In fact, Mercy was nearly asleep when Celty caught her attention.

"Thank you, Celty."

Welcome, please be careful with him. He can be eccentric.

"I will, maybe we can get drinks some time."

That would be great. Before I forget, when you go into the build go to the elevator and push the 36 button. Then go up the stairs. Izaya should be waiting nearby.

"Drive safely, and thank you again."

Celty waited for Mercy to enter the build before leaving. A nagging feeling tugged at her stomach as she drove home. She wasn't sure what Izaya was up to, which is normal. She wouldn't want to ever know more than what he told her, but she hoped it wasn't something she would regret helping in. When she walked through her front door she was instantly greeted by Shinra.

"What's wrong Celty?" he questioned.

How he knows something is wrong, I will never know. Celty thought as she typed frantically on her laptop.

"You are a hard girl to track." Izaya muttered when he saw Mercy walk onto the roof.

"Yeah, I try to stay under the radar." Mercy paused, glancing questioningly at him, as she poked her hip out slightly. "Have you been stalking me?"

"Not stalking, but how about we keep the questions for later."

Before she could answer, Izaya dragged her over to their table. It was a simple poker table with a white cloth on it, but it was cute enough.

"To be honest, I thought we were going to go somewhere." Mercy muttered, as she stared at the set up.

"Well, I didn't want Shizu-chan to ruin our conversation, so why not throw a roof top party." Izaya cheered, as he twirled on his heels. "Anyways, I think it's better to get to know each other this way. Now sit down, you're making me nervous." Izaya chuckled, as Mercy sat contently in front of him. "Where are you from?"

"I was born in Ikebukuro, but traveled around the world, due to my mother's job." Mercy sighed.

"Where did she work?"

"She was an anthropologist, but she dabbled in archeology."

"Really now, did you enjoy traveling with them?"

"For the most part, though I didn't make any friends till later in life. I loved the newness of the different cities we would visit."

"You're no fun; you're supposed to dance around my questions." Izaya pouted, "O well, that is why I love humans so much."

"Humans," Mercy questioned him, before sipping the water in front of her. "Aren't you human as well?"

"I am, but I am different as well." He smirked. "After all, I don't have emotions."

"Are you sure about that?"

Izaya glanced at the young lady before him, unsure what to say. She was different from the others he observed. It bothered him that, days after he started his research on her he couldn't find anything but her transcript and some family information. She was proving to be an exciting challenge.

"I am sure your friends told you what I do for a living already."

"I'm sorry, is that a question or a statement?"

"Statement,"

"Well, you would be wrong. I know nothing about you." She paused, before looking into his black eyes. "What do you do?"

Izaya smirked, caught off guard by this girl's blissful ignorance. "I am an informant."

"O, so is it safe for me to assume you already know everything about me?"

"Usually yes, but as I said you're a hard girl to track down."

"Ok, so what do you know about me?"

"I know the basics about your parents, your school career, and what you do for a living."

"That's not too bad. I mean, you do know more than half of my life right there."

The two talked for a few hours about Mercedes life, and different subjects. It did bother Mercy that Izaya avoided any conversation about himself, but she could also understand the feeling.

"Anyways, I need to head home." Mercy muttered, trying to chock down a yawn discreetly.

"O yes, of course. Give me a moment, to call Celty for you."

"Thanks, but I can walk, or call a cab." Mercy stretched her stiff legs. "There's no reason to bother her."

Izaya ignored her, already calling the headless rider. He spoke in a hushed tone, as Mercy watched him pace the roof top.

"Celty, my guest needs to go home. I expect everything is ready." Izaya stated more than questioned. "She'll be here in a minute."

As Izaya spoke he ended his conversation with Celty. For the moment, Mercedes allowed herself to wonder if, or more properly how, Celty responded on the phone. It is rumored that she was the Headless Rider; therefore, she wouldn't be able to speak if she were. In the midst of her pondering, she couldn't help but look at the ocean of people walking on the sidewalk.

"I'm glad you're wearing something different." Izaya's voice drove Mercy back to earth.

"Yeah, well don't get used to it. I don't own many skirts and I don't plan on buying more." Mercy chuckled. "Do you need help with clean up?"

"Nope, I can do that myself."

"So, I'm going to head down. Thanks for the fun evening, maybe we can do it again sometime."

Izaya bowed, as his fox like smirk widened. "I would love to, please be careful."

"Good night Izaya."

By the time Mercedes arrived down stairs, Celty's motorcycle pulled up to the door. The crisp night air once again entered Mercy's lungs as she pushed past the glass doors. Almost as if Mercy had called her, Celty glanced at over and waved.

Are you ok? Did he behave? Nothing happened did it?

Mercy couldn't help but laugh at her companions questions. Honestly what did she think was going to happen, for her to be this worried?

"Yes I'm fine, and I'm thinking he behaved as best he could. The most that happened was we talked." She smiled. "Thanks for coming all the way down here to pick me up."

No problem, now hop on, we have a bit of a ride ahead of us.

After saying her goodbye's to Celty, Mercedes stalked to her apartment room. The two girls made plans to hang out when the weekend got closer. When Mercy crawled into her bed, her phone went off.

"Hello?" She groaned quietly.

"Hello darling, sorry about the late phone call," Mercedes father's voice broke the silence.

"O, no problem, how is you?"

"I'm better; the doctors say I'm responding well to Chemo, and I'll be able to go home sometime this week." He paused, to respond to a noise in the background. "So I thought I should tell you as soon as possible."

"That's wonderful daddy, maybe this weekend I'll drive over there." Mercy smiled, as her eyes brimmed with happy tears. "And daddy, don't ever hesitate to call me, my phone is always on. I don't even care if you don't have news to talk tell me, just as long as you called."

"That's good to know, you sound exhausted, you should go to bed darling." Takuma muttered. "We can talk later."

"Goodnight daddy, I'll talk to you later."

"Goodnight, sweet dreams my sweet angel."

Mercy couldn't help but think about the young Masaomi, when her father called her angel, and smile.