Hello readers, sorry this took so long to upload. My editor is a very busy gal and I myself was taking a bit of a hiatus. I hope to get back to this story more often now. Enjoy :)

Espio and Charmy walked back towards Vector. They were about to start for the elevator when the manager at the front desk rang a bell and called for a Rayner. Within seconds, a tall panda bear with light blue eyes in a bellhop uniform came hustling towards the front desk.

"Yes sir?" the panda answered.

"Please take our new guests up to their room, thank you," the manager said.

"Right away, sir."

The panda put on a warm, friendly smile as he turned his attention to the Chaotix.

"Hello, guests. My name is Rayner. Allow me to help you with your bags, good sir."

Rayner took the trio's bags and placed them onto the luggage cart.

"Thank you," said Vector.

Still smiling, Rayner exclaimed "No problem!"

The elevator opened, and the four of them gathered inside. As the elevator moved upwards, Espio stood quietly in the corner staring down at his feet. The news story he had seen not too long ago was the only thing on his mind.

"Clawed Lotus," Espio thought to himself, "why does that seem so familiar to me?"

"I feel I've seen that method of killing before, but where?'" Espio glanced at Vector, and then looked right back down at his feet.

"I should probably tell Vector about this, but this might spoil his vacation plans."

Vector noticed the thoughtful expression on the magenta chameleon's face. He was used to his more subdued partner's quiet behavior. Of course, it was always an appreciated contrast to Charmy's louder and more exuberant antics (though, to be fair, are expected of his age). However, Espio's expression then troubled the crocodile. While Espio had always been serious, he never seemed as distant as he was at the moment. That may have been a sign that something was very wrong.

"Everything ok there, Espio?" asked Vector.

Espio looked up from his thoughts. "Hmm? Oh, of course Vector. I was just thinking to myself, that's all," Espio replied. Vector looked at the chameleon with extreme skepticism.

The elevator finally made it to the floor where their room was located. The four of them walked out of the elevator and down the hall towards their room.

"Room 620, this is us," said Vector. He pulled out the room key card and slid it into the scanner on the door handle.

The door opened and the trio plus Rayner entered the room. The room looked very clean, as if it had been freshly vacuumed and dusted. There were two twin sized beds that sat in front of a small TV set with a mini fridge underneath. To the right was the bathroom with a small closet next to it. The window sat by the beds, and the curtains were held open, brightening up the room and giving it a lovely view of the neighboring beachside.

"Nice room," said Vector, who then turned to his younger partners. "Whataya think, boys? Looks like we're livin' pretty large."

Espio and Charmy looked with amazement at the nice hotel room. "Pretty impressive to say the least," said Espio.

Charmy was brimming with awe. "Cool!" he exclaimed, and rushed into the room and went straight towards the window.

"Look! We can see the beach from here!" he said cheerfully.

He quickly flew back towards Vector, beaming widely. "Can we go to the beach now, Vector?" the young bee begged. "Please, pretty please?" he repeatedly begged.

Vector grimaced at the bee's excessive eagerness. He placed his hand over Charmy's face, muffling him. He turned back towards Rayner with Charmy still kicking and squirming in his hand.

"Anyway, thank you Rayner for ya' services," Vector said

Rayner smiled at the crocodile as he handed the trio's luggage back over to them. "No problem, Mr. Vector."

"If there's anything you boys need to make your stay here more pleasurable, just let me know," Rayner said.

Vector smiled and said, "Okay, thanks again," as he handed the panda a tip.

With that, Rayner started back down the hallway towards the elevator. Vector released Charmy from his grip once Rayner was out of sight and gave the bee an annoyed stare.

"Must you always make such a ruckus everywhere we go?" Vector wasn't amused by the bee's over exuberant attitude. Charmy pouted and crossed his arms, "I just want to go to the beach," Charmy shot back. "Can't we go now?"

Vector sighed. "We'll head on down to the beach in little while, Charmy. First we've got to put our stuff up and decide who gets what bed. Fair enough?"

"Okay!" exclaimed Charmy as he happily spun around.

The trio placed their luggage near the beds then exchanged glances with one another. With there being only two beds for the three of them, this put the trio in an awkward position. Espio narrowed his eyes at his two teammates. "While we're on the subject of beds, I am not sharing one with either of you," he declared bluntly.

"I figured as much, Espio," said Vector.

"Hmph. I think I'll be just fine here on this chair," said Espio as he climbed onto a leather chair in the corner of the room.

"Yeah. This will definitely do,"

"I call the bed by the window!" said Charmy in a singsong tone as he flopped down on the large bed and sighed at the soft sensation from the bed's mattress. He turned over towards Vector with big pleading eyes.

"Now can we go to the beach, Vector?"

Vector rolled his eyes. "Alright, Charmy. We'll head on down to the beach," he said.

"Yahoo!" Charmy exclaimed.

Within minutes, the trio gathered up the items they were going to need for the beach and scrambled out the door.

To Be Continued...

Sorry if this chapter was kind of short and rather lackluster, but I promise things will pick up in the next chapter. Till then.