Annnnnnd here is the continuation of the tip to "Sin City!" Hope everyone had a happy New Year. This and all my other stuff would have come out sooner but I had to go and get sick. Bummer. But I'm better and I've updated! And let me say thank you to all you kind reviewers; Tsukikage1213, BonitaChickia, Cartoonfire, Tennisgal456, ThEnAmEsGiGi, Realfanficts, ALittleMind. Much obliged all! Enjoy!

Chapter Seven

Dances with Geishas

Richard checked the time. "They've got another day here, so do I. I'll find out something. Maybe it'll be how you keep them believing the Peter Pan delirium of staying giddy for the rest of your life and that fuzzy kittens and puppy dogs make the world go round." He turned his back on her and made his way to the door. Moira waited for just the right moment then in a clear voice said;

"St. Augustine Cemetery, Gotham City." Richard slowly twisted his head around at her. "That's where your wife and son are buried." Richard's mouth parted unnoticeably and his hand slipped off the door knob. Moira opened the package the delivery boy had brought her and from it drew a crisp eight of spades.

"This your card?"

BRUCE'S SUMMER HOME…………

Toni, her mouth covered by a light blue mask, held her out her hand so that an assistant could place a sterilized instrument into it. She worked over her patient with extreme attentiveness. Her eyes glanced up at a video monitor showing the new internals mingling with organic tissue.

"Temporal lobe?"

"Synapses are normal," replied the nurse.

"It's a relief and a hindrance that he no longer has a blood pressure. Dr. Charles, if you please…." A young black scientist took Toni's place and began making the final adjustments. Toni, exhausted and almost entirely withdrawn, took her leave of the private O.R. She placidly pulled her mask off as she walked back up the stairs to decontamination. As she made the short trek back upstairs her mind wandered to the past two days. What a surreal experience it had been. Victor would never be the same again, and yet she looked forward to watching him conquer whatever would stand before him. He never was one to quit so easily, why should this time be any different?

When the elevator doors opened she was not in the least bit surprised to find Alfred waiting for her with a tray of tea and coffee. She smiled and nodded as she stepped off the lift.

"Alfred, there is no other like you," she said taking a cup of tea.

"Well so Master Wayne tells me."

"By the way…..where is he, Mr-I mean…Bruce. I haven't seen him all evening." Alfred smiled weakly and shrugged.

"Master Wayne is uhhh….typically busy this time a day. Life of a business man, you know." Toni accepted his excuse, partially because of her fatigue. She nodded, sipping her tea.

"Luckily I don't."

"How is Mr. Stone?"

"Well 'out of the woods' isn't quite what I would say but….almost, for the most part. I'm glad my part is done; now it's all up to Sarah." Alfred blinked a few times. Toni shook her head. "Uhh Dr. Sarah Charles from S.T.A.R. labs. She and I co-developed the procedure." She looked down, as though seeing the ongoing procedure through the floor. "Never once back at Harvard Med did I think I would need a mechanical engineer in my O.R."

"Life's full of surprises."

"Don't I know it," replied Toni. She gulped the rest of her tea. "Thank you Alfred, anything to eat?"

He smiled broadly and nodded back toward the kitchen. "Yeah, right this way."

VEGAS…………

Richard stared out the high window of his Vegas suite. Moira's words still rang through his mind like a set of tubular bells. Rachael, Logan, and Shannon all sat around with their mouths slightly ajar.

"How could she know that?" Richard heard Logan's voice say. "Seriously, how could she possibly know that?" Richard turned away from the window and looked almost casual. "You don't find that a little odd?"

"Someone told her," said Richard. They all looked at one another as though is explanation was something anti-climactic. "I don't see why you're all so eager to believe that she has actual magic powers. She's a human being."

"We know," assured Rachael. "Its just human nature to be easily mystified. Why do you think magicians get work in the first place?"

"Okay fine she's not magic," said Shannon. "Still begs one to wonder who told her."

Richard, using his cane for balance, stepped away from the window. "Someone who knew we were coming and enough about every one of us, same goes for how she knew your name," he said pointing at Logan. Richard sat down beside Shannon. "What I'm worried about is if she knows about Kory."

"Even if she doesn't we outta get her out, sooner rather than later," said Logan.

Richard nodded. "This doesn't happen often but I think you've nailed it." Logan gave him a sarcastic 'would be' smirk. "I'll tell her tonight, we'll finalize it when we get home. Let Danielle know she's going to have come up with some sort of bogus reason for Kory not staying."

"Any suggestions?" asked Shannon.

"Death or disease, those seem to be the real tear jerkers." Rachael shook her head. "What time is it?"

"It's nearly seven," said Rachael. "You know I can't imagine why I'm continually surprised by what comes out of your mouth sometimes." Richard shrugged.

"Me either, I would've thought by now we would've known each other well enough to be friends on facebook." Rachael narrowed her eyes. "Come on, don't be sad. Wouldn't be gloomy at the other show."

"Show?"

"That dance those Geishas are doing, Moira will be there."

"And you want us to spy on her like her at her act," said Logan. "That didn't go really well as far as staying undercover."

"Won't be a problem," said Richard. "We're not actually going to be there." They regarded him curiously.

As time went on, Kory found socializing with her 'sisters' to not only be easier but more and more enjoyable. After the diner gala, they had returned to their hotel and spent the rest of the night talking excitedly and enjoying a seemingly endless courtesy of room service. Being royalty on her homeworld, Kory was well acquainted with many servants and the layers upon layers of makeup. Yet always she had Galfore's voice telling her to never forget her humility and her honor. Rachael had also been kind enough to explain the basics of earthen makeup, but she never did on a scale presented to her by the Geishas.

As soon as Kory was seated on the couch her hands and feet were taken captive by skillful therapists. Before she knew it every single one of her finger and toe nails were sharpened and polished to a high mirror shine. Kory found the experience almost pleasantly mind numbing. Everything and anything was completely taken care of. Indeed it seemed that not a single one of them wanted for anything.

Martha, laughing gleefully as she walked from one talking group to another, found Kory and plopped down beside her.

"Kory!" She exclaimed. "Having fun?"

"Mm hmm," replied the red head sincerely.

"Glad to hear to it, oh hey, don't forget, you're gonna get to see us in action tonight." Kory's face brightened.

"Oh! You are referring to your act."

"Yes, and remember, soon you're going to be part of it." Kory's eyes turned slightly and saw Marika off in the distance over Martha's shoulder. As though she had heard what Martha said, Marika nodded and pointed excitedly at Kory. The only thing that managed to snap Kory back to reality was the buzzing in her pocket. She quickly retrieved her cell phone and saw she had a text message. Giving a quick read, Kory flipped her phone shut and stood up from the couch.

"Something wrong?" asked Martha.

"Oh no, nothing is wrong. I am simply in need of some fresh air." Martha nodded and giddily skipped away to another group of girls. Kory made sure she took a room key with her and made her way downstairs. The message she received instructed her to meet outside near the pool. However once she finally walked outside she saw that there was no one present except a wandering bum. The alien cocked an eyebrow at the absence.

"Kory." A voice whispered. Her eyes refocused on the bum as she realized he had spoken to her.

"E-Excuse me?"

He drew closer, much to her discomfort. He then yanked at his beard and Kory saw that it was fake. "It's me."

"Richard?" She said. The alien princess then began a near futile battle against a wave of giggle fits. "W-W-What are you wearing?"

"It's a disguise," he said casually. "Why, you don't like it?"

"I think it is very becoming."

Richard rolled his eyes and ripped off the face beard. "Great, how you doing?" he asked. Kory held her arms and shrugged.

"I am fine. They are all very accommodating and most friendly. Tonight I am going to watch them perform as authentic Geishas." Richard nodded but he did so with apprehension. Kory dutifully read his body language and was not pleased with what she saw. "Richard?"

"Kory, we need to get you out."

"But…why?"

"Moira knows too much, we're not sure if she knows about you but she has enough info on the rest of us to put the plan and you in danger. The sooner we pull you out the better." Kory's face gradually fell as did her gaze to the ground. "I'm sorry if…you know you made friends with some of them, but this has to be done."

"I can do this Richard," said Kory.

Richard rubbed his eyes. "Kory, I have no doubt that you can. That's not the point. What I'm saying is that Moira may or may not have made you. Now I'm definitely willing to risk a rookie or two on that, maybe even Shannon, but not you."

"Richard please, let me stay." He folded his arms. She was almost pleading with him.

"You haven't been with them for more than a few days; you really like them that much?" Kory now crossed her arms and turned away sharply. "Come on, you really expect me to believe that someone like you, in two days, got used to be waited on hand and foot?"

"It is not uncommon to me," she whispered.

"Right, because you used to be a teen princess forever ago." Suddenly Kory whirled around with a highly irate look in her eyes.

"Do you simply not understand?!" Richard backed somewhat when she took two bounding steps toward him. "I do not wish to leave."

"Really?"

"Really," she repeated. Richard and Kory looked at one another stiffly. Kory fought back tears and turned away. She drew her key and was about to slip it into the slot.

"So I'll put an 'X' on our flying date shall I," said Richard. She looked back at him. He had pulled off the rest of his disguise and was leaning against the fence that surrounded the pool. He pushed off the fence and balanced on his cane, and then jerked his head toward the top of the building. "Your friends are waiting." Richard hobbled away, somehow dodging a few kids and their mother on their way to the pool. Kory waited until he was out of sight then let herself back in.

Richard met Shannon and Rachel back in the parking lot. Rachel stood up straight when she saw him nearing. "How'd it go?" Richard didn't reply. He opened his door, tossed his cane in the back and slammed the door shut after himself.

"Not well," muttered Shannon. They joined him inside the car and Richard began driving back to their lodging. He gave them the abridged version of what happening and both girls had the immense urge to throw the "I-told-you-so" lecture at him. Shannon was the first to take the plunge.

"I warned you about them," she told Richard. "I mean….Rachael warned you about them. I told you not to leave her alone with them!" Richard drummed his fingers against the steering wheel. He was hardly in the mood for a verbal thrashing. Rachael kept glancing at him. Finally she did fully look at him.

"Did you explain the danger to her?"

"Yes Rachael, I did." Shannon rested fully against the back seat.

"Maybe we could shanghai her or something?" That idea was not what one would call popular, even as Shannon merely said it in jest. Rachel stared out the window and sighed.

"Well we can't just leave her."

"Oh yes we can," said Richard.

"What?!" The two exclaimed together.

"Kory wants to stay? Fine. We'll let her stay."

Rachael shook her head. "I know you upset with her answer but that still no reason to get revenge on her."

"I'm not," said Richard. "I don't care what species someone is, guilt is a powerful thing. Sooner or later she'll be back. Besides, there's a reason why I always have her with me when I question someone-"

"So you don't get bored?" said Shannon.

Richard looked at her in the rearview mirror. "How cynical of you. But besides that, she has a natural ability to judge someone's character. Eventually Moira will make a mistake and Kory will catch it. We just need to be ready."

GEISHA STEAKHOUSE…………..

Can it be surprising that the establishment where the Geishas would be performing their show would be a fine restaurant which has more or less been named after them?

Of course not!

In fact by now it was almost expected that a group such as they would be entitled to many lavish opportunities. The restaurant began as a smaller sushi bar but thanks to a large donation by a certain illusionist, the place was able to add a respectable ballroom with box seating. Kory was glad that she didn't have to dress up nearly as nicely for this occasion as she had for Moira's act and the dinner afterward. Tonight some casual wear with a few pieces of jewelry would do fine. She wanted to accompany them back stage but Marika insisted that would spoil the surprise. Instead she led Kory to a table at the front of the stage where she, Marika, and a few patrons would enjoy the show.

"How's this?" asked Marika as showed Kory her seat.

"It is wonderful," replied Kory. "I thank you very much."

"Don't mention it, Oh! Come with me there's someone you really have to meet." She grabbed Kory's wrist and pulled her across the hall. Marika didn't let up on Kory until they were mere feet away from a table where sat a few young men plus the one Marika was so excited about. He spotted the two of them as they approached.

"Hey Marika!" He said brightly.

"Hi!" She replied. "I've got someone you have to meet." She looked back at her new sister. "Kory, this is Xavier Redding." Kory took Marika's place and shook Xavier's hand.

"I am pleased to meet you."

"Feeling's mutual," he replied. "I had a feeling I'd be meeting someone soon, Marika here hasn't shut since she met you."

Marika pretended to look affronted and placed her hands upon her hips. "Well I would gladly make my case but I'm afraid Kory is just too modest to back me up." As usual Kory glowed humbly.

"So…you are attending the Howard University as well?" she asked Xavier.

"No I'm still at a community college down the street."

"Xavier's father is one of our more frequent patrons," explained Marika. "Xavier is always welcome at Geisha house." He covertly rolled his eyes. "Well we better take our seats, Kory come with me."

"Nice to meet you Kory," said Xavier.

"And you too," she replied. They walked back to Marika's table. Kory leaned in closely as they walked. "He seemed…nice."

"Yes, very nice." She agreed with a wink. They ordered their meals and drinks and not soon after that a set of soft red lights illuminated the small stage. One by one each Geisha smoothly made their way out onto the stage like a flowery line. They were dressed from head to toe in traditional Japanese garbs and their faces were immaculately painted. Three of them remained off stage to provide the melodious tones to which the others began dancing. Everyone, including Kory, sat enthralled by how gracefully they moved in circles, in and about each other, and slowly coming to a halt. They wove themselves into a figure eight and, in unison; each unfurled a deep red fan. This concluded their first act, one of many to come along during the night. The audience applauded most graciously, Kory and Marika smiled broadly at one another as they clapped.

From high atop within the quiet confines of the box seating, several aged and young men watched the spectacle with silent expressions. The most prominent figure, though not the oldest, drew a cigar from a wooden case. He sliced the end off it and brought a small flame to it.

"She's late," said the youngest.

"Not as though it's out of the ordinary," replied a man in his early fifties.

"Forgive me gentlemen," said Moira as she suddenly entered from behind. "It seems a magician's work is never done."

"Moira," greeted the oldest.

"Carmine, how lovely to see you again." One by one they either bowed properly or kissed the back of her hand. The one enjoying the cigar stood up and gave her a nod of the head. "Anthony, always a pleasure."

-----

Richard was true to his word that they would be keeping an eye on Moira while not actually being present. Across the street from a high window, he and the rest of his team watched her and her company through the lenses of several high-end cameras. Richard snapped a picture of the last one to kiss Moira's hand.

"…Dimitri Kleb, Carmine Falcone, Salvador Carlisle, Kariif Hasheed, and the Vegas big wig of the day…Anthony Maretti." He took one more picture. "A whose who of mob and international bad guys."

"That dude that just kissed her hand is the latest Mafioso out of the Ukraine," said Logan. "Who the hell is this chick? She can invite all these people?" Richard could only smirk. He snapped away at the amount of evidence just begging to be piled on.

-----

The waiters always had a special seat and table for Moira in a prime location long prepared before she even arrived. She took her seat and without even glancing at the menu ordered the same item that she did upon her arrival.

Falcone pushed this bento box away and called for a menu. "You got anything other than raw fish? I could never live off this."

Moira replied, "My condolences, although I will admit blowfish is a risky treat to be sure." The young Russian envoy leaned against the balcony and looked down at Kory.

"She's nice girl," he said smirk.

"Eyes off Dimitri," said Moira. "She's a new one."

"What is it with you and your giant collection of broads?" asked Anthony. "You think'n of starting some kind of service or something?" Moira rotated around in her chair and looked at him dangerously. She moved her fingers on her right hand as though doing scales on an invisible piano. A playing card suddenly appeared between her middle and index finger.

"Anthony, I have ever once threatened to remove you of your manhood?" The others looked at one another. The old mob boss remained a stone. He ceased being a stranger to threats of all kind decades ago. "The answer is 'no' of course, but…there's a first time for everything." She gave the card a sharp flick and sent it flying at her guest. The card stuck into the chair between his legs like a sharp knife. "If you ever speak of my girls like that again…."

Anthony yanked the card out of the chair's leather and let if fall to the floor. "Get in line, dames like you have been throwing stuff at me for years."

"You said you have something worth the plane trip," said Dimitri. "I would like to hear offer now." His thick Russian accent strained the English woods. Moira felt slightly let down as she wanted to postpone her sale at least until after she ate. But one must never let a room full of mobsters grow too irate. She smiled at him and returned her attention to the Geishas down below.

"I know the business you are all invested in, gentlemen. I know the risks you take in order to make a well earned profit. I know the concern that is ever present with employees and hired hands who can't keep their mouth shut or do as they're told."

"What's the world come'n to?" agreed Carlisle. "Today isn't like the fifties' when you tell a guy to do something he'd do it. You tell a guy not to snitch he wouldn't snitch. Different age today. No decency and no respect, its all chaos."

"And how can I let you hard working gents suffer so much," sang Moira. "When I have a way to put your worries to rest." The crime figures then watched as her slender fingers placed a tiny phial on the table beside her; still she watched the performance intently. The phial was just a little bigger than the type given away at perfume counters and contained a deep blue liquid.

"What is it?" asked Falcone.

"Try some," she said with a small smile. The Geishas below were now flipping their fans about in many eye catching ways. "I hear it tastes like blueberries."

"I'll pass," said wary gangster.

Moira laced her fingers together, never looking away from the show below. "Imagine no longer having to worry about loyalty and deference. So much energy is wasted in worrying if your lieutenant will knife you in the back." Her eyes finally looked away from the show and settled on the red head seated close to it. She let her pendant dangle from her fingers and gently swung it from side to side. "Don't you wish some people would be more cooperative?" Her view of Kory was slightly impeded by the swinging ornament. "More……open."

"A think a bullet is a lot cheaper than what you're charg'n for this stuff," said Anthony with a derisive chortle. She irritably let her chain fall upon the railing and rest there.

"You talk about a short term solution, Anthony. Yes the price may be something less to be desired, but it decreases when purchased in bulk." They stared back down at the tiny phial. "Trust me when I say it is a worthy investment. My employer has gone to great lengths to ensure its reputation; he firmly stands by its success."

"Who is this…guy..you work for?" asked Carlisle.

"Apparently he ain't got a name," chuckled Falcone.

Moira snickered. "Oh...he has a name, the likes of you are simply forbidden to know it. Now, do we have any takers?" Dimitri cocked his head down at the sample and nodded.

"We try some."

"Excellent! Here is the account number," she slid a piece of paper with a number scribbled on it. "Just transfer the funds and I'll send you your case. So gentlemen, is Dimitri going to be the only industrious investor tonight?" It seemed that that was going to be the case, to which Moira could only shrug in dismay. "What a pity, well I'm certain that after our esteemed colleague raves about its success the rest of you won't be so hesitant. Now, I bid you goodnight." They all rose slightly from their chairs chivalrously until Moira made her exit. Anthony sat back down and mashed his cigar.

"What a mentality."

"Belongs in a certain nuthouse I know of," muttered Falcone.

REJOINING VICTOR…………..

Victor lay awake upon a metal bed within a dimly lit and warm recovery room. Half of his face was still covered by a single layer of gauze. He long ago awoke but was terrified to move. Even when Richard and Toni explained everything to him it all sounded completely bogus. And yet here he lay; without feeling in any of his extremities. Finally he dared budge a single finger and knew, not felt, that it was moving. He picked his arm up and in the darkness of the room made out a smooth metallic sheen. Slowly, he brought his hand to his face and pulled the gauze away. He heard the sound of metal scrapping against metal. He let out a broken gasp and let his arm fall back to his side. Only one side of his face leaked tears.

"Oh God….."

A bit shorter than the last one but I didn't want to make you guys wait as long. Laters!