It is FRIDAY again! *yawn* Ah man, I'm tired. I stay up too late watching vulgar cartoons on work nights.

So, I'll be going to Disneyland again! Which means I can't promise any updates for this weekend besides this one. Sorry, but I need a little pick-me-up and Disneyland is like coke for me. I snort pixie dust the whole time I'm there and I'm good for a month.

Anyhow, incase you couldn't tell by now, there are only a few chapters left after this. How many, I can't say. I'm thinking two at the minimum, five at the max. Although that five is a leeway number. I doubt it'll actually be five.

Also, in writing this chapter I wanted to give more info about the minor characters and how they got involved in being in a gang, but I didn't get the chance. So I'm thinking I'll write a little side story told through Nam's perspective. Whatcha guys think?

Anyhow, enjoy this chapter!

"Are you sure you aren't making a mistake, trusting them?" Zexion sat across from Marluxia in near vacant diner with his eyes locked on the man behind their entire operation. "I mean, let's really think about this for a second. You're giving three spoiled rich kids free reign over our base of operations. The money is there, the product is there, all the evidence of our business is there, and Larxene's not even smart enough to wipe her own nose, let alone know not to open the door for anyone. All three of them are so far bred from this kind of life that they're entirely lost…"

"Well, so are you Zexion. But I trust you with my life." Marluxia smiled and sipped on his glass of water. "Let's face it. Nobody was going to believe that you, a seventeen year old, and Nami, a fifteen year old are a married couple living on their own in Chicago. We needed somebody older, and it just so happened that Larxene fell into our laps at the right time. She's about the right age, it all worked out perfectly."

"Yes, but she's a moron!" Zexion sighed and shook his head. "I'm sorry, I know you're sweet on her. But the girl has no common sense."

Marluxia chuckled softly. "She has some. And she'll learn, with time."

"It isn't even her I'm worried about." Zexion grabbed up his coffee in his hand and took a long drink. "I'm concerned about the other two… Demyx and Luxord." He paused as he heard the door to the diner open with the ring of the bell. He watched as Naminé approached swiftly. "You're late."

"You're early." Naminé huffed and removed her coat. "Is that any way to greet me, anyhow?"

Zexion rolled his eyes and motioned for her to take a seat beside him. "You'd rather I give you special treatment just because I like your face?"

Naminé took a seat beside Zexion and nudged him. "Why not? I give you special treatment all the time just because I like your face!"

Marluxia mused quietly to himself at the small exchange between the two. Although it was too late to change his mind now, he had to admit it would have likely been a safer choice to appoint these two to the roles of the Gabbiani couple. They cared about each other, that was obvious. But business always came first and silly emotions were things they brushed aside for work. Not to mention they were both as cunning and deadly as a viper in a room full of mice. He cleared his throat as the two bickered playfully and leaned on the table. "Anyhow, you were saying, Zexion?"

Zexion nodded slowly. "Yes. I was saying that my concerns don't lie with Larxene so much. I'm more concerned about Demyx and Luxord."

Naminé sighed and rolled her eyes. "Here we go again…"

Zexion furrowed his brow at Naminé and grunted. "I'm not just being paranoid." He turned his attention back to Marluxia and shook his head. "She thinks I'm being paranoid but Demyx has been behaving strangely. And after that incident last night with him and Luxord, well, it is very clear that they're going to be trouble. Not to mention, we still don't know for sure who really turned over the New Orleans segment to the authorities. Naminé still thinks it was Larxene's mother, but does that really make sense? How is it that Demyx and Demyx alone managed to escape capture?"

"Perhaps Demyx is more cunning than you give him credit for." Marluxia watched Zexion curiously. The boy had so much emotion in his eyes that it was clear this was more than just a fabrication out of jealousy. He truly believed there was more to this than they knew. "Or, perhaps, this warrants more investigation than we originally intended."

Zexion smiled at the words but quickly forced it away. "I think we'll all be able to rest a lot easier knowing we can trust him. As for Luxord…"

"Ah yes. What to do about Luxord?" Marluxia snickered to himself. "The man wears his emotions on his sleeve. Its no wonder he acts akin to dynamite when something involving Larxene displeases him. Not to mention his unwillingness to put petty matters aside for the benefit of the majority…"

Zexion nodded. "Would it be beneficial to off him?"

Naminé shook her head quickly. "Oh, no. Larxene would pitch a fit. I don't blame Luxord for refusing to meet with S. M. Laurent this morning. Though it may have seemed odd, Larxene said he was satisfied with the excuse she gave. Besides, if Luxord had gone and had been unable to hide his emotions, that would have seemed all the more unusual. I agree with him not attending the breakfast meeting this morning."

"Mmm…" Marluxia nodded slowly. "That's another matter which we must address. This odd fellow, S. M. Laurent. What was said of him?"

Naminé shook her head. "We followed. I know it was risky but I didn't trust Larxene's judgment. Or Demyx's for that matter."

Marluxia looked from Naminé to Zexion and made a "tsk" sound. "I'm disappointed. That was reckless."

Zexion shook his head stiffly. "It couldn't be helped. Besides, I think you'll be more relieved once you hear our report."

Marluxia sighed. "Continue. I'm listening."

Naminé took in a deep breath. "We didn't go inside. We didn't leave the car at all, so we don't know what was said. All we know is that he picked them up and drove them downtown. They entered the restaurant and spent a total of fifteen minutes inside before leaving."

Marluxia cocked an interested eyebrow. "Fifteen?"

"Exactly fifteen." Zexion looked to Marluxia seriously. "If he said anything to Larxene or Demyx about himself, they didn't mention it to either of us. But my concern is peaked. He had a scar on his face in the shape of an x. Whether it was from a knife fight or a branding from another gang, I can't say quite yet. I'll have to look more into it. But I'm almost certain he is anything but a neighbor, and certainly not a business man."

"Well then, it seems you'll be getting to quench your blood thirst after all you two." Marluxia smiled as devilish grins blossomed onto the two young faces before him. "Also, I think it is time to move the money, and the organization for that matter, to a much more secure location. Be prepared to move within the week."