Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters of "Blood Ties". They are all Tanya Huff's creations.

Characters thoughts are in italics

Thanks to my beta, Lena!

Previously in The Incident: Vicki was injured and lost her memory of the past year. The only person she remembers is Mike.

Chapter 5

Mike stared at his computer screen, hardly even registering anything it displayed.

Should I go see Vicki today? Why did I have to be the one to tell her about her failing eyesight? It's better she knows, right? If I do go see her, what questions will she ask this time? Will I be prepared for them? What if she asks about our relationship? I don't think I'm ready to get into that. I can't avoid her. I could always call. Maybe that would be easier.

Crowley waved her hands in front of his face. "Earth to Detective Celluci."

"Where were you just now, detective? You don't get paid to daydream. I'll cut you some slack this time in light of Miss Nelson's recent accident."

"Thanks."

"Don't thank me, detective. Just make sure you keep your mind on the job."

"Yeah, sure."

Crowley climbed the stairs.

Mike shook his head in disbelief. "So much for compassion." He muttered to himself as he went back to work.

Coreen walked into Vicki's room. Her bed was empty. The bathroom door was open. Maybe she went for more testing. Soon after that thought Vicki entered the room with a middle-aged nurse who guided her to the bed. She ensured Vicki was comfortable before leaving.

"Hi, Coreen. Just getting some exercise. I'm going stir crazy being cooped up in here."

The Goth rummaged through a reusable shopping bag before emerging with two firearm manuals. "Will these help?"

"Thanks, Coreen. I'm beginning to see why I hired you as my assistant." Vicki began flipping through one of the manuals. "So what have you been up to since I've been hospitalized?"

"Catching up on filing and hanging out at the The Underground."

Vicki glanced from the handbook. "The Underground?"

"It's a popular Goth nightclub. A friend of mine, Lexia, owns the place. You went there a few times for a case."

"What was the case?"

"One of her regulars was found dead outside the club. She hired you to find out what happened."

"Who ended up being responsible?"

"The bartender."

"What was the motive?"

The Goth's eyes studied the tiled floor. "Something to do with drugs." She started and then trailed off.

"Has anyone ever told you you're a terrible liar?" Vicki smiled. "I guess I'll let you off the hook this time."

Her assistant sighed. "That's a relief," she said jokingly before becoming serious again. "Mike told me he stopped by yesterday. I wish you hadn't found out about your condition like that."

"There really isn't a good way to give someone news like that. At least yesterday wasn't a total downer. I remembered something while Henry was here."

"Like what?" The Goth's blue eyes brightened.

"I was twirling a sword and Henry was sketching me."

"That's a start."

Vicki bobbed her head. "Yeah, that's what my doctor said," she said unenthused.

"What exactly did you tell your doctor?"

"Why do you ask? Are you worried that I divulged some sordid secret?" Vicki joked before noticing her assistant had a worried look on her face.

"Of course not. I just wouldn't want your doctor getting the wrong impression."

Vicki's voice rose slightly. "The wrong impression? What do you mean by that?"

"Since your memory is coming back in bits and pieces, you might be a little confused about things."

"I may have lost my memory but I still have my faculties," Vicki fired back. "Is there something you're not telling me?"

The Goth shook her head in denial but Vicki was convinced that she was holding something back but she decided to drop her interrogation for now.

An awkward silence fell in the room as Vicki flipped to where she had left off. As she studied each page, another memory came.

"I'm thinking Gorgons," her assistant said. "Like Medusa," Vicki replied. "You've been reading," Coreen replied. "I read." She heard herself say. "Yeah, firearm manuals." They were in an office along with Henry. A stone statue was resting a couple of feet from a desk.

"Vicki, Vicki." Coreen's eyebrows drew together in concern. "Is everything all right?"

"Yeah, I remembered something else." She frowned. "Why were we talking about Medusa and Gorgons?"

"All I can tell you is that it had to do with a case involving a missing model."

"I must have been taking some very strange cases. Was I that desperate for money?"

"Your motto was no case too strange."

"I must have completely lost my mind."

Coreen shook her head in disagreement. "You were exposed to a whole new world."

"Thanks for the vague statement. That definitely puts my mind at ease."

"I'm sorry Vicki but that's all I can tell you. At least for now."

"I think visiting hours are over for today."

"Alright." The dark haired woman sighed. "I'll leave but I'll be back tomorrow."

"If that's what you want to do." Vicki said angrily.

"I'll try not to take that personally." She grabbed her shopping bag and stormed out.

Vicki sighed. She really didn't mean what she said. That was frustration talking. Everything she had remembered didn't make much sense. Coreen was reluctant to add anything. She was beginning to wonder what kind of life she was leading. She needed answers.

As she watched the raven haired woman leave, she couldn't help but smile to herself as she mopped the floor. From what she had overheard, the two women had some type of argument. If Victoria Nelson was pushing away those close to her, that would make killing her so much easier. No one would be around to interfere. Maybe she could help make that the case.

Author's note: I am sorry it has taken me awhile to post another chapter for this story. I had writer's block for a long time and I went back to school in November. I don't know when the next update will be but I wanted to post at least one more chapter for this story before the new year.