Sorry, but this chapter is significantly shorter than the last one. Just as a warning, I have very littlei idea where the hell I'm going with this sooo... bear with me. Anyway, enjoy :)

"So who was that, and why was she after you?" I asked after ordering another drink.

"I don't know. She came in demanding to know here some sort of gem was or something." Rachel said, obviously lying.

After Terra had escaped and we had found ourselves in such an... intimate position, she convinced me to buy her a drink to make up for it... Although, I don't really see how it was my fault. I was just trying to help her...

"Alright then, why did she want it?" I inquired further.

"I don't know."

"Why are you lying?" I asked abruptly, catching her off guard. Her eyes widened, and smirked.

"I'm not." She said, regaining her calmness.

"Yes you are." I replied. I couldn't stop my smirk from growing into a grin. "You don't strike me as stupid, so you must have had some idea of what she was talking about, even if Garfield just gave it to you without telling you why. So why are you lying to me? Why did you lie to her? Wouldn't it just have been better to give her what she wanted and put this all in the past?"

This created a long silence. When Rachel finally spoke up again, she seemed to have dropped the innocent act.

"It's not that I care more about that crappy piece of jewelry more than my life or anything. I don't know why Slade wants it so bad, but it can't be to spread happiness throughout the whole world with the power of hugs and cupcakes. Whatever he's planning it's not good, and I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I helped cause whatever's going to happen if he gets his hands on this gem."
"What else are you going to do?"

"I... I don't know. I didn't really plan this out..." She said, looking down into her glass.

An awkward silence hung in the air between us. I knew I should do the right thing, but at the same time, Garfield was paying me a lot of money... A LOT of money.

"Hey, maybe we could make a deal. I'll help you work the rest of this out," Her eyes shot up at me in delight and surprise. "if, you help me with something."

After a few seconds, her eyes narrowed at me.

"What kind of something?"

"I've heard of Slade before, and if the evidence is correct, which it usually is, it's his fault I'm barely able to pay the rent each month. I'll get him off your tail, if you get me closer to him." I explained. She thought about this for a few seconds.

"You do realize that as soon as he's forgotten about me and the gem is far away from him and safe, you're on your own, right?"

"Obviously."

"And you do realize I'm not paying for this, right?"

"I'd never ask that of a lady."

"Sure. Maybe not a lady with a few drinks in her."

"Isn't a little early in our relationship for you to be making judgments about what kind of guy I am?"

"We don't have a relationship."

"Of course not. I wasn't implying-"

"Neither of us are interested-"

"And even if I was-"

"Which you weren't-"

"No. Definitely not-"

"I'm not looking to-"

"Neither am I-"

We both paused, looking at each other. I had a sudden urge to leave. I coughed.
"Well, here's my office address. Meet me there tomorrow at six. We can discuss this more then." I got up and left, hoping to completely forget about the conversation until tomorrow.

By the time I got home, Rachel was temporarily non-existent.