Author's note: First and foremost, I'm so sorry for the gap between chapters. And I'm sorry for the action-less chapter as well, haha. But don't worry, the first race of the season is next! Yay! Haha. Well, enjoy!

She told him she loved him, flashing that beautiful smile. The wind blew her hair out all around her, and her eyes were bright with laughter. The engine roared around them as they barreled down the Kras City streets on another joyride, celebrating his latest win. She leaned over and pressed a kiss to his lips and he laughed at her enthusiasm. She fell back into her seat and giggled madly, whooping as the car lurched over the curb and on to another street. He'd never laughed and smiled so much.

Until he heard the horribly familiar shriek of a long-range missile.

Suddenly there was fire, colors blurred and tires screeched as he struggled to keep the car steady. He could hear her screaming his name.

The world went black.

Razer jolted awake. He sat straight up in his bed, instinctively reaching for a weapon, only to realize he was still caught in the haze of a dream. Chest heaving, heart pounding against his ribs, he gave himself a moment for composure, massaging his forehead. He gritted his teeth and shook his head, trying to forget the dream; trying to forget the fire and the screaming…

With a small groan, he threw the tangled sheets aside and swung his legs to the floor, scratching the back of his neck. He muttered to himself almost angrily, trying to remember that it was only a dream- he shouldn't have been bothered by such things. What had happened had happened and there was no changing that.

He got to his feet and stretched, squinting in the morning light. Wincing at his reflection in the mirror, he rifled through the drawer for a t-shirt and pulled it over his head. Razer knew his mood would be dampened for at least half of the day because of the dream and mentally cursed. But there was a cure for it, he'd discovered.

He decided to leave his hair disheveled, not feeling the need to tend to it yet and shuffled out of his bedroom. Upon stepping into the dim living room, he fished into the pocket of his jacket which was thrown over the sofa and found his packet of cigarettes. He slipped one between his lips and lit it soon after, walking over to the nearby record player. After thumbing through the old sleeves, he found the one he desired and placed the black vinyl on to the turntable. With a slight sigh, he sank into a chair and closed his eyes, taking a drag on the cigarette as the needle crackled audibly in the silence.

Razer found it almost ironic how a song from so long ago- a song that had always filled the rooms of his childhood home- would be the very thing that calmed his rarely rattled nerves. He ran a hand through his hair and blew out a trail of smoke, murmuring the lyrics to himself out of pure impulse. The woman's soft throaty voice sang with familiar urgency and longing. In another language, though one he could understand perfectly, she crooned,

"I am designed for love from head to toe/ that is my world- and nothing else / That is, what can I do, my nature/ I can only love- and nothing else."

Razer sighed again and massaged his temples, leaning back in the seat as the singer's voice played throughout his empty room. He sat there and tried to forget.

The sudden trill of his phone startled him slightly, and he was automatically annoyed by the fact someone was calling him this early in the morning. Razer heaved himself from his seat and turned down the volume of the record player, moving toward the kitchen to answer the phone. He took a drag on his cigarette and huffed out a breath before responding.

"Hello?"

"It's Shiv," said a familiar gruff voice.

Razer pursed his lips, grinding out the cigarette on a nearby ashtray.

"This had better be good," he warned the racer, "You know how I detest wake-up calls."

"It's about Jyil. I finished looking through her file, like you wanted me to."

He leaned against the side of the counter, intrigued. "Oh? Well, let's hear it."

"I couldn't find too much on her; at least nothing incriminating." Shiv sounded disappointed and Razer smiled slightly. "She was born and raised here, has two sisters, two nephews; her mother died about ten years ago and her father used to be the mechanic for Nathan Blitz."

"Sounds interesting, at least," Razer mused. He was actually surprised by that last bit of information. "Schooling?"

He could hear Shiv rifling through papers and rolled his eyes.

"Uh, let's see…All local schools, Boss. She grew up in the working class district- Graduate of Kras City High and went to University to major in History, apparently."

"Hm…very interesting indeed."

"No rap sheet to speak of. It's almost weird," Shiv added.

Razer nodded to himself, looking out the window in the living room. Sunlight fell lightly through the blinds; he could still hear the record player crackling away.

"Thank you for the information- I do appreciate it, Shiv."

"No problem, Boss."

"Right. I still have a few questions for Miss Jyil, and I wouldn't mind having that file to look over myself."

"Sure thing," Shiv agreed, "But if you ask me, there's something strange about how perfect it all is."

Razer frowned curiously. "What do you mean?"

"Well, it seems like there's something missing. I mean, she's a combat racer; you know there's something she has to hide from us. And she was working with Rayn for two years- no one cuts their loyalties just like that."

"If given the proper incentive- yes they would," Razer replied with a smirk. He still had not told his racers about the deal he'd struck with Jyil. "But don't think I'm giving her the benefit of the doubt. I'm not as foolish as you think."

Shiv grunted a laugh. "I know that. I'm just saying we could have a spy on our hands, Razer. That wouldn't be too good for business at all. And there's nothing I hate more than a slimy, conniving little twit like that."

Razer let out a short sigh, pulling distractedly at his mussed hair. He leaned back against the counter once again, drumming his fingers on the polished granite.

"You make a good point."

"No, I make an excellent point," Shiv countered. "Talk to this chick and see what's up. It's getting me very paranoid, this idea of mine."

Razer allowed himself a smile. "I see. Well, I know how you race when you're paranoid. I'll make my way to Miss Jyil's abode and see what she can tell me. I'll know whether or not we've got a spy on our hands, believe me."

"All right, Boss. I'll leave you to it."

Their conversation ended. Razer hung up the phone with a shake of his head, walking back to the living room. He snatched up a second cigarette and lit it, walking toward the turntable. The woman was still singing that old song.

"A mysterious glow/ lies always in the eyes of a beautiful woman./ But if my eyes connect with yours and/ dive in them too deeply/ then what do they say?"

Razer clicked off the turn table, and she was silenced.

"Sorry, Marlene, dear," he sighed. "Duty calls."

The Penthouse was -oddly enough-echoing with noise as Razer stopped outside the door, one fist raised to knock. He could hear Jyil's voice inside, barely discernable through a round of giggles. Razer smirked to himself and knocked. Rapid shuffling sounded and he heard a few strange euphemisms before the chain rattled in the lock and the door opened. He couldn't help raising his eyebrows.

Jyil stood before him, dressed in a bright red sundress that hung lightly to her knees. Her long hair was held back slightly by a headband and she wore a silver necklace of some sort. What made it all the more strange was the fact she held a squirming child under one arm.

"Afternoon," Razer began, "Is this a…bad time?"

Jyil cleared her throat, obviously trying to hide her surprise.

"No, not really. We were just-"

"-Playing hide and seek!" the child finished with a beaming smile, kicking his legs.

Jyil pursed her lips and bounced him in her grasp so that she could get a better grip on him. The boy giggled again and she turned to look down at him.

"As I was saying, we were just getting ready for a nap."

Razer couldn't help smirking as the boy's face fell. Jyil chuckled as she brought him up into her arms, pushing his head down against her shoulder. She turned back to the ex-racer and added,

"I'll be right back. You can…make yourself comfortable, I suppose."

Razer nodded once, moving to sit on the cream-colored sofas in the living room. He slung his arm over the back and watched as Jyil walked down the hallway to his left, still carrying the boy. He locked eyes with Razer and granted him a small wave. The latter wiggled his fingers and smirked again. He listened to their distant voices and found it strange as he heard Jyil coax the boy off to sleep; he had never pictured her to be the motherly type at all. She came padding back down the hallway, her dress slightly floating out behind her.

"I'm sorry about that," she told him, "My nephew goes to morning kindergarten, and I usually watch him until-"

Razer held up his hand. "It's quite alright; no need to explain yourself."

Jyil let out a tight lipped smile and sank into an armchair across from him. He could tell she was uncomfortable with him being there, though she was doing a good job at hiding it. Anyone without Razer's skill in reading body language might not have noticed; she sat straight in her seat, legs tightly crossed, and with her hands folded in her lap. Her shoulders were slightly arched and she looked back at him expectantly. Razer suspected her alertness may have had something to do with the fact she was dressed so 'delicately,' for lack of a better word.

She didn't want to look weak in front of him.

He smirked. "I trust everything is alright with your vehicle?"

"Oh," Jyil glanced away from him and sighed, "Repairs are almost done; it should be ready for the race on Friday. They told me they were amazed I didn't go up in smoke along with the turbo engine." Her eyes met with his again and he could see clear frustration in them. "It literally exploded. And you'll never guess what saved my life."

Razer grinned this time. "Not the seatbelts?"

"It was the damn duct tape," Jyil hissed.

He had to laugh at that. A scowl creased her forehead and she crossed her arms.

"Well, it's a good thing I gave you that clunker, isn't it?"

Jyil gave him a look. "Just barely."

Razer was still grinning at the newfound information; teasing her was certainly putting him out of his dour mood. Jyil spoke before he could.

"So what brings you here? I mean, besides the fact you just want to bask in my discomfiture?"

"Do I make you nervous?" Razer laughed, almost surprised.

She was quick to reply. "No. I'm just mindful of the fact you're sharing the same space with my six-year-old nephew."

Razer tilted his head as if he understood, though he could see her pulling at the end of her skirt in attempt to cover her knees. Hiding a smirk, he calmly rose to his feet and she mimicked him, crossing her arms again.

"Contrary to your claim, I did not come to make you feel uncomfortable," Razer told her, "I actually wanted to speak to you about our agreement- you remember, don't you?"

Her eyes narrowed slightly. "Yes, of course I do."

"You know that the first race of the season is this Friday; I'd like to have a few surprises ready for Krew in case she decides to make it a very difficult year."

"Okay." Jyil looked thoughtful, moving to head into the kitchen for something. She looked back at him over her shoulder. "I take it you want some 'lawful immunity' from one of those cities I mentioned?"

Razer leaned against the counter, watching as she reached for something in the fridge.

"Yes. It would be Spargus that I need something from. I've gotten things from the city in the past, but in all honesty, they don't like the way I do things. But you offer a certain insight I might not have. Apparently."

Jyil managed a smile, twisting the cap off of a bottle containing a bright orange liquid.

"I'll be glad to help, if it means being one step ahead of Rayn." She wordlessly offered the bottle to him and he shook his head. She took a sip instead and added, "I see that you're not taking any chances already."

Razer raised his eyebrows. "These things usually start off fair enough, but inevitably it becomes…complicated."

"Complicated," Jyil repeated with a small laugh, "That's a good way to put it."

She set the bottle down on the counter and put her hands flat beside it. They stared at each other for a moment in the silence. Razer could tell she was working something out; her eyes had that familiar look to them. She held up her finger.

"I think this is the first conversation we've had that doesn't involve me trying to kill you. Or at least, it hasn't ended with me wanting to kill you."

Razer shrugged. "We've come a long way."

Jyil actually smiled. She took another sip from the bottle and nodded her head, one hand playing distractedly with the charm on her necklace.

"All right. Consider it done. Whatever it is you need from Spargus, I'll get it for you. Send me the proper documentation and give me a deadline, and it'll be in your hands like that."

She even snapped her fingers.

"I'm impressed," Razer told her, "I didn't have to argue."

He paused to glance out the patio doors leading to the balcony and watched the sunlight glint off the numerous buildings outside. It would be a shame to take this all from her, especially sense he had gotten the impression she had finally accepted her duties as a member of his team.

But he had to know. He had not patience-no tolerance- for traitors.

Razer turned back to her and placed his hands on the counter opposite hers. She tensed just slightly.

"There is something else, Jyil."

She pursed her lips. "And what is that?"

Razer looked straight into her eyes. She blinked, but did not look away.

"You know that Rayn isn't going to keep this thing fair, no matter what she claims. She can prattle on all she wants about changing the city and the sport, but it's not going to happen."

"You don't have to tell me; everyone can see that," Jyil answered with a smirk.

Razer shook his head. "This is different. You work for me, now- you are one of my racers. And as such, you have an obligation to help make this team the best it can be. You're special in the fact you have valuable knowledge that can make us that team."

Her eyes widened at a realization, but she hid it rather well. Though not well enough for him.

She knows what I want.

"I can't," Jyil finally said, "I can't give you any information."

Razer knew Rayn must have had something on her. But he needed Jyil's insight; he could beat Krew at her own game. He carefully reached out and gently grasped Jyil's wrist. She jumped, but he did not let go.

"You knew what you were doing when you switched sides," he said, quietly. "You work for me, Jyil. I need to know what you know."

She pulled out of his grasp and shook her head.

"I can't! I can't tell you anything!"

Razer straightened up, knowing the 'trusting' approach wasn't going to work; it usually didn't. He dramatically swept his arm out around the sun-washed kitchen. He kept his voice steady and gazed back at her.

"Do like this place? Do you like what I have given you?"

She looked away from him, but said nothing.

Of course she does. That brat wouldn't be here if she didn't.

"Apparently you don't, Angel," Razer sneered, watching how the hated nickname made her twitch. "Apparently you don't. I have no problem taking it all back- everything. It happens all too often to rookies like yourself."

Jyil spun to face him. There we go. Seems I struck a nerve.

"I told you before I am no rookie!" she snapped.

"Then prove it to me," Razer countered, leaning back over the table. "Prove to me you can step out of the shadow of that woman and not care whether or not she used to have you under her thumb!"

His words hung thickly in the silence for what felt like a long while. Jyil's amber eyes had taken on the tell-tale shine of tears. She squeezed her eyes shut and murmured a curse under her breath. Razer waited patiently, knowing to give her plenty of time. He watched as her shoulders suddenly sagged and she sighed.

Ah, I've done it.

"What do you want to know?"

Razer didn't miss a beat, still keeping the somewhat hostile tone of voice.

"Everything. Racers and their styles, weapons she prefers, amounts she usually bets on a race, anything at all that I would be able to use."

Jyil nodded. "Okay..."

Razer straightened up. The defeated softness of her voice was a sign that he'd done his job correctly. She wasn't wracked with guilt, but with worry; uncertainty.

Spies were never doubtful.

"I'd like to have the information before the first race," he continued, "It would be most helpful."

"You got it," Jyil replied with another nod.

Razer walked around the counter and gently gripped her bare shoulder. She looked over at him, for the first time not with hatred, but with understanding. It told him he'd bought some of her loyalty- but that didn't mean he trusted her. He gave her shoulder a slight reassuring squeeze.

"It is always difficult in the beginning, Jyil."

She stepped back against the fridge to shrug his hand away.

"Looks like I haven't got a choice to have it any other way."

Razer slipped his hands into his pockets. "Thank you at any rate."

She looked away from him. He turned and strode back through the living space of the suite, leaving her to stand alone in the kitchen. A small voice suddenly called to him from behind.

"Bye, Razer."

He turned to see the tow-headed child standing in the hallway, a dark blue blanket slung over his shoulder. Jyil hurried to him and brought him up in her arms. Razer nodded back to the little one and granted him a crooked smile. Jyil looked back at him over her shoulder, protectively covering her nephew with his blanket.

"Good-bye."

It was more of a warning than a farewell. Razer didn't expect anything less from her. Something told him it would always be that way.

And, strangely, he was sorry for it.