Disclaimer: I don't own The King of Fighters…

A/N: Hello fellow readers and writers. After the climax, it is time to check in on the other sub-plots of the story. This first one is picking up on a connection that exists, but has not been addressed or pointed out. It also sets up a thread for the next entry as well. Now, I'm probably going to graze against a fairly popular ship, but please understand that it is not an attack. No flames please, at least not before you read the whole chapter. So, with that addressed, only the words are left. And here … we … go:

The King of Fighters XVI: Where the Heart Is

An Agent and An Angel

She could not believe how easy it was; somehow, Angel had found her way on Ikari ocean liner. She had desperately searched for K9999 with no helpful clue to show for it, and, looking for any kind of lead, figured that the paramilitary unit might have some information. Moving forward with the one thread she had left, Angel ambushed a soldier, stole the uniform, and snuck aboard the vessel, hiding in plain sight as she sought out any intelligence on her missing friend. However, she noticed how oddly empty the ship was, especially as an outpost; eventually, she overheard that a lot of the ground soldiers stationed there were on land … guarding some kind of door under a stadium.

Eventually, Angel found a computer and found out … that K9999 was on that very vessel! Immediately, she raced off to location.

Finding the room, Angel whispered in as she cracked the door, "K? I'm busting you out. K, are you there?"

Slowly, she made her way inside and stopped in her tracks when she saw inside. The dark and quite chilly room was lined with drawers in its walls and its only light was over a medical table at the room's center. The whole place carried a sickly sterile scent though underneath it lingered a permanent trace of fatality. Angel had a justifiably grave inkling about this place, and said a small prayer that this room was for experimentation or anything else that she was imagining. Her hope however was seemingly rewarded when all the initial drawers were clean and empty. Finally, she came upon an occupied one, its tag reading 'pacified enemy agent … deceased'.

Slowly and with considerable dread, she pulled the drawer open and instantly saw what she had feared: his right arm, lying in its place while separated from his body, was in grisly tatters; large patches of his body were charred; his eyes rested permanently rolled back; his mouth froze agape in a twisted grimace; the sanitary smell and clean removal of his damaged limb meant earlier processing but the scent of fire still covered him. Angel stared in slack-jawed shock and horror for some time at K9999's remains.

"Miss, what is your business here?" An Ikari doctor called out to her, as he entered the room.

Her trance rattled, Angel looked back at him in a daze and only managed, "Wha… I-I'm sorry…?"

The doctor pointed out after getting a look at her, "Hmm… You're an unfamiliar face; a new recruit, I assume?"

Angel, barely able to respond, asked, "This man… Wha… How did he…?"

The doctor glanced around her to see, and then explained, "Yes. Well, it's hard to say specifically. I can say that his right arm suffered devastating trauma, and shortly after he suffered deep burns to all his vital areas including to his sinuses and lungs; he obviously screamed throughout. It was … quite painful."

Angel could only stare at her fallen friend. Her body went numb and her mind went blank with nothing going in or out. Out on her feet, she practically sleep-walked out of the room, and wandered through the ship until she ran into a commanding officer.

Urgent and stern, the general demanded, "Shape up, soldier! What is your assignment? Are you going ashore?"

"… Yes." Angel replied, her near-unconsciousness breaking with the realization of her situation, "Where is the next boat leaving from … sir?"

"Top deck, starboard side; the party is leaving in 15, so you better get a move on."

Angel attempted a salute, and raced off. The commanding officer paused from her odd phrasing and subpar salute but ultimately discarded his suspicions; from her ill-fitting suit and unfamiliar face, she was obviously an inexperienced new recruit. Getting a convenient ride back to land, Angel accompanied the soldiers, and waited until they moved out to slip away, removing and discarding her disguise in the process.

Finally in the clear once again, the revelation crashed down onto her: Angel's heart sank … and continued plummeting. Her legs became nearly powerless to hold her up. A burning sensation grew in her chest as a haze of light-headedness took over her. Her eyes began to sting from emerging tears. Having to stop and rest against a tree, Angel continued to fight but fell to the gripping despair of losing the only connection she had, her only friend. These were feelings she had endured many times during days in N.E.S.T.S, feelings that she hoped and fought hard to never feel again yet returned one more time for the one person she had left. Eventually, she wandered through a wooded area onto a deserted road, lost on which way to go … in more ways than one.

In an Atlantic City, New Jersey gym, Ramon was on his way to visit a healing friend, the target of his affection, bringing a bouquet of pinnata Dahlias for her as well. Meanwhile, Vanessa was in the midst of working a heavy bag, punching it and bobbing and weaving around it, testing herself before she would be tested for the completion of her physical rehab. Her auburn-haired son amused himself in the nearby boxing ring, bouncing off the ropes and gesturing like pro wrestlers he had seen. A man slightly younger than her and with coiffed brown hair round glasses nervously watched her. Vanessa had recently revealed her job to her family, with her injury being impossible to explain otherwise…

Trepidation in his voice, the man pleaded, "So, you're really going back?"

Vanessa responded without stopping punching, "Kurt… I already told you; my mind's made up."

Kurt protested further, "Can't you change it? I mean, the last time you were there … you almost got cut in half."

Vanessa tried to reassure him, explaining, "Yeah, I had a bad mission, a very bad one… but those are the dangers of the job; I know them and accepted them when I signed up. I can't just quit. You know, courage, honor, 'the valiant only die once', 'history remembers the brave', and things of that nature…"

"History is written about the dead; we won't have to remember you if you're still here." Kurt pointed out, stopping Vanessa in her tracks. He faced her, putting his hands on her shoulders as he continued, "I'm afraid, Nessa; I don't want you hurt again … or worse. We almost lost you once. We don't want to go through anything like that again."

"I … know; I'm definitely scared too…" Vanessa admitted before looking back up, saying honestly and steadfastly, "But I can't. This job… It feels like I was made to do it, that it was made just for me. I love it. I started out just doing it because I needed the money, to get away, but after the first time, it was like I got hit by lightning. Now, I can't imagine my life without it. Do you understand?"

Extremely conflicted, Kurt soon held his emotions down as he nodded in agreement and embraced her tightly…

Vanessa offered reassuringly, "Don't worry; I'm not going to let It happen again. I'm not leaving you guys any time soon."

Kurt replied in anunsure whisper, "I hope so."

Vanessa kissed him on the forehead as they held the embrace. Unfortunately, the entire exchange had a spectator: Ramon, walking in and grasping the situation from the start. He quickly walked away before he was seen, crestfallen as he walked back through gym. He looked down at the beautiful flowers in his hand … and despondently threw them in a nearby trash can. Ramon soon stepped back through the exit as the city lit up for sundown, but his usual thirst and excitement for the night life was no reprieve for the stinging break in his chest…

Meeting in Mexico City

Lights flashed, numerous news outlets gathered for coverage, and the crowd sounded off enthusiastically as the Palacio de los Deportes played host to lucha libre for a night. The sporting as well as cultural event held a great deal of importance, and thus the city rested to take it in. Ramon had returned home to participate in the show as he often did when he had the spare time. This time, however, he came back to get away. He once again donned his gear: boots, elbow and knee pads, long trunks bearing his ring name of 'El Tigre Lor' or 'The Tiger Lord', and his trademark one-eyed luchador mask. On this night, Ramon was slated to face a new sensation rising through the ranks; He hopped into the ring to many cheers and saw that his opponent was … a luchadora!

The platinum-haired women wore black chaps over short trunks, black hand wraps, and a midriff black leather jacket unzipped to reveal a dark blue bra underneath. Angel originallytook up this profession some time ago to generate some income for her and K9999 but found she had an affinity and eventually affection for it; She had even gained a following in her home country. Angel was already scheduled to compete in this event before K9999's disappearance, and thought of canceling in light of her friend's demise. However, she decided to participate if only to take her mind off things. She rested in the corner as her opponent leapt in to the ring.

Ramon began warming up, jumping up and down in the corner in preparation. Angel stood and swiftly zipped up her jacket as the introduction began. Upon his moniker being called, Ramon athletically leapt to the top rope from a standstill, and raised his arm to the crowd's cheers. Angel was introduced next, whereupon she put her hand up toward him, slowly turned it, and flicked her fingers backward to beckon him forward. Ramon took note that a good portion of the audience happily joined in and mimicked the gesture. A moment later, the bell rang, and the fight was on.

Their first exchange was microcosm of their different approaches. Ramon began by using his advanced mobility, flipping and rolling away from contact. In spite of this, Angel eventually caught him, connecting with two strong punches, paused to raise her fist to the crowd and draw a reaction, kissed her knuckles … and punched Ramon so hard that it sent him sprawling to the other side of the ring!

Angel enthusiastically taunted as Ramon slowly rose, rubbing his chin, "Now, that's a smackdown! Hey, Tiger Lord… It doesn't matter who you are or what your name is! Know your role and just bring it!"

Angel was a very uncommon opponent for Ramon. She played to the audience more, had a much slower and more deliberate pacing, and stuck to a ground offense. It became obvious to him that she was skilled in an American style of wrestling despite being a native, a rarity in lucha libre. It also did not help that she was the same size as him and twice as response, Ramon use his experience advantage to counter or escape her holds and attacks, as well as his more developed ring sense as he liberally used the ring ropes, posts, steps, turnbuckles, and the like all for his benefit. He employed a de rigueur, full-on aerial attack as he springboarded off the ropes and leapt off the top turnbuckles with the greatest of ease. Eventually, Angel missed with a wild attack, and ended up in Ramon's grasp…

Ramon called out in signal, "Tiger Spin!"

As he called, Ramon went into his finishing maneuver, 'Tiger Spin': he planted her with two 'Neck Fury' rolling DDTs and punctuated it with the eponymous spinning side slam! He covered her shoulders with his body…

1… 2… TH…!

Angel forced her shoulder up to break up the count and keep the fight going. Completely at a loss after the failure of his ultimate attack, Ramon ran and sprang off the ropes to try a different attack … but Angel caught him with an appropriate answer: she planted him with her 'Blue Monday Parade' one-armed uranage side slam, walked to his head, pushed his arms to his body with her foot, slowly removed an elbow pad and tossed it into the now thoroughly-enthralled crowd…

Emphatically crossing her arms several times to signal her 'Survivor's Banquet', Angel confidently exclaimed, "Can you taste the Angel's extraordinary skill?!"

Following through, Angel dashed off the ropes twice, crossing over Ramon in the process, stopped at his side, dramatically swung her leg over him, and used the momentum to drive her elbow into the center of his chest! Ramon lurched upward from his air rushing out of his lungs and from the force delivered into just the one point. Angel followed through with a pin of her own.

1… 2… THR…!

This time, Ramon showed his fortitude, kicking out and prolonging the fight. Finally, Angel lifted Ramon and sat him on her shoulders facing the opposite direction, putting him in powerbomb position. However, in one last show of experience, Ramon swiftly trapped her head with his knees in a headscissors, backflipped to his knees to slam her upper back with his legs, grabbed her leg and leaned forward to pin her shoulders to the ring!

1… 2… 3!

Jumping up from his victory, Ramon celebrated with his hands raised as Angel sat up in surprise at the sudden outcome. Nevertheless, Angel started to make her exit without a hassle … until Ramon stopped her. The luchador brought her back into the middle of the ring and, to her surprise, raised her hand as well, getting a loud round of cheers.

Backstage, Ramon was cooling down, stretching, toweling off, and rehydrating, when Angel, something weighing on her mind, approached.

Angel called out, "Hey, Senor Tiger, what was that … after the match?"

"What? The hand raise…?" Ramon asked, confused.

Angel went further, "Yeah. What's your deal? You better to be trying to bury me."

Ramon responded with a chuckle, "I was giving you your respect. You gave me everything I could handle, and the crowd loved it. It was definitely more that I was ready for."

Angel relaxed slightly from the compliment, saying, "Oh. It's just no one's done that for me since I started… Thanks."

Ramon praised her further, "You earned it. It's really incredible that you're so good, from what I hear, after just a couple years."

Angel smiled and reciprocated the sentiment, "Thanks. You're a big deal around here, so I'm just happy you took the fight."

Going even further, Ramon removed his mask, saying, "Senorita, thank you for the great match; it was a pleasure."

Even though she was new to the culture, Angel definitely understood the significance of this gesture. Removing one's mask was reserved for only the closest company and people greatly respected. As such, she smiled even more as she tried to think of a courtesy even close to that magnitude…

Finally, Angel offered, "Do you … want to get a drink?"

Having run into a few fans of the show, Ramon and Angel were partying, drinking, joking, laughing, and generally having a good time.

"Wow, you were right; this is some fine tequila," Ramon said as he downed a shot of liquor then coughed as he added, "… and strong too."

Angel chuckled, "You know, this is most fun I've had in a while. I hope your girlfriend doesn't mind me keeping you out like this."

As he ordered more drink, Ramon relayed, "I don't, uh… I'm not seeing anyone."

Angel responded in slight flirtation, "Oh, stop. A strong guy like you, funny, handsome, a blast to be around… You can't tell me the no woman has her sights on you."

Ramon relayed, his honesty aided by alcohol, "Well, there was this girl I was really interested … but I just found out that she's … spoken for."

"Aw, man, that stings." Angel offered.

"Yeah, a real downer…" Ramon said before changing the subject, "But what about you? You said you haven't partied in a while. What's got your high spirit down?"

Angel paused before explaining, the tequila also helping her let go of revelations, "Well, I was looking for someone, my best friend, for a long while. Then, when I found him … he was gone."

Ramon voiced his sympathy, "I'm sorry; my condolences. I can only imagine…"

Angel responded, trying unsuccessfully to dismiss her feeling, choking up regardless, "No, it's okay… He was a crazy hothead … and I've … lost friends before."

Without any thought needed, Ramon reached out and held her hand, extending his support as well. Angel paused to compose herself with his help, wiping her eyes clean before starting again…

"Anyway … part of me actually sort of expected it, bad as that sounds. I just wish I had some idea of what I can do now."

Ramon said immediately as the idea popped into his head, "Wait… I got something. You could work with me and my team."

Angel quipped out of her confusion, "Um, remember the rope burn or the ring rash? I think we're already working together."

Ramon explained further, "Oh no, I mean my other job. I work for this special Agency."

Slightly skeptical about it but with it not being the most outlandish idea, Angel asked, "Really? And they accept … walk-ins with friend referrals?"

Ramon persisted, "That's how they recruited me. And with your talents, you'd be a natural."

Angel thought for a moment, eventually asking, "Hmm… Is there combat?"

"Loads…" Ramon answered automatically.

Her smile returning, Angel relented, "Well… it's not like I have any other prospects. Sure, I'll give it a shot; sounds like fun."

Ramon returned the smile, saying, "Great. I promise you won't be disappointed."

Angel, impressed and intrigued, said with tenderness, "You know, the girl that passed you over… She doesn't know what she's missing."

As Angel's praise reached Ramon's ears, their eyes met, holding the gaze, … and the spark they had shared all the way from the ring to that table became very evident to them. The music and all the other ambient noise of the bard faded away. Everything else around them disappeared from their senses. Gradually, they moved closer…

Triangle Formation

At the Agency headquarters, Ramon and Blue Mary sat in an unremarkable conference room when Vanessa walked in and joined them at the table.

Vanessa let out a content sigh and commented, "Mary, Ramon… It's good to be back."

"It's good to have you back." Blue Mary happily said as Ramon only offered a silent nod, "You look great, like it never happened."

Vanessa proudly responded, "Oh, it happened, and I have the scars to prove it. I worked hard to get back here, but now that I'm here, we're back in business."

Noticing that Ramon was showing little interest, Blue Mary tried to help the situation though confused herself, "Hey, Ramon, how great is it that Vanessa's all healed up?"

"Yeah … great," Ramon barely responded.

Vanessa, really confused, inquired, "Uh, Ramon, you're pretty quiet over there. Are you alright?"

"I'm just fine." Ramon answered very briefly.

Vanessa persisted, still very confused, "Really? You don't look fine… Looks like something's bugging you; if you talk about it, you'll feel better."

Ramon said rather curtly, "Trust me, don't worry about it; you wouldn't care anyway."

Completely perplexed and a little hurt by the statement, Vanessa asked, "Of course, I care; I'm your friend. I want to hear how you're doing. I did miss you."

Ramon retorted, "I doubt it, with that guy that was keeping you company."

"A guy…?" Vanessa reacted.

Ramon let out a grunt, feeling insulted by her seeming confusion, and explained, "Yeah, that guy with the glasses… I went to visit and saw you two cozying up together."

Realizing now what he was talking about, Vanessa started, "Ramon, it's not what…"

Ramon interrupted, his pain coming out in his voice, "No, it's okay; you don't have to explain. I read all about it in your file… Why didn't you tell me you were married?"

Vanessa sat in stunned incredulity, shaking her head, until she was able to hold down her offence and relay, "Ramon, my file hasn't been updated in a while. I was married … by my husband died around the same time Mary's boyfriend, Butch, died, right after my son was born… That man you saw is Kurt, my younger brother. He's been worried about me coming back, but I've been reassuring him. I'll be fine 'especially with friends like Ramon' I said."

"Oh…" Ramon reacted after some silence, and then repeated as each revelation clicked in his mind, "Oh… Oh…"

Very uncomfortable, Mary finally managed an attempt to divert the conversation, "So… any idea why we got called here…?"

Vanessa shook her head in the negative with exasperation. Ramon knew, but he was still too stunned to react to the question. At that moment, Seth entered with a woman close behind him…

Seth spoke concisely, "Operatives, we have a lot of new business but first things first. Thanks to Ramon, we have a new team member. Mary, Vanessa, please welcome Angel to our ranks."

The web of events had officially tangled. Angel waved to her two new teammates with her gaze landing on Ramon with a smile. Noticing the interaction and confused by it, Vanessa could only look back and forth between the two. Ramon quickly realized that with Angel's inclusion with the team and the truth of Vanessa's situation … he was in trouble.

End Chapter

A/N: There you have it. Another delay, but another chapter is complete. I hope you enjoyed it, and I hope you come back to read more. And for anyone who has continued to follow this story, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart; I know I've been taking a long time, and I do apologize. Again, thanks for reading, I hope you enjoyed it, and I hope you come back to read more. Please R&R, and, as always, Rant, Rave, and Review.