Deirdra braced herself for the attack that never came. Meanwhile, Alister stood quietly and watched her, his face void of any emotion except maybe boredom. Finally, he said "So do you want a ride or do you prefer to walk the rest of the way?" He gestured carelessly in the direction of the motorcycle. Or she thought he gestured in the direction of the motorcycle. It could have been the parking meter, as that was what he was currently pointing at. "The rest of the way? Where are we going?", she asked. Alister's face remained impassive but his voice gained an edge. "There'll be plenty of time for your questions later. Right now, I'll be the one asking the questions. So, yes or no to the lift?" Deirdra said "yes", secretly hoping she wouldn't live to regret doing so. Alister straddled the bike and flung the lone helmet at her. She strapped it on with the skill of a toddler and reluctantly climbed on behind him. "Any advice?", she asked. "Yeah. Don't fall off!", he shot back. She gripped his belt tightly as the engine roared to life. The motorcycle rocketed forward. As they whipped around corners and wound their way through a labyrinthine maze of ramps, tunnels, and passageways, she struggled to stay seated. Just when she thought she WOULD fall off, or go airborne, Alister brought the bike to another screeching halt. The force of the sudden stop sent Deirdra slamming into him. The helmet knocked against his head. "You think you could watch it?", he growled, jerking the offending item off her head. "Sorry. Like I could help it.", she returned, quickly adding "That hurt by the way!" Alister didn't bother with a comeback or an apology either one -just stalked off after yelling "Come on." She ran to catch up and pulling up alongside him, asked "Where are we now?" She had kept her eyes closed for the duration of the short but perilous motorcycle ride. It now looked like they were in a monstrous basement or parking garage, but she couldn't be sure as the light was dim. "You'll see soon enough", Alister replied, punching the 'up' button on an elevator. When the doors opened, he directed her inside, looking not unlike a traffic cop. As the elevator ascended, Deirdra started to have that feeling of dread come over her again. She couldn't understand why he was being so evasive. Or so hostile. Well, truth be told, the hostility she would have expected had he not agreed to meet her. But to meet with her and then treat her as though she were the last person on planet Earth he wanted to be around? It didn't make sense. But then again, maybe he treated everyone this way nowadays. She didn't remember him being such a jerk, but people could change. She of all people should know that.