Disclaimer: I do not own Dead or Alive or Ninja Gaiden, they are owned by Team Ninja and Tecmo.

Archer's Old Apartment Building

Downtown, Los Angles

5:32pm

"Sir! Forensics has just finished," said an officer standing next to an unmarked black Crown Victoria. Captain Grant and Detective Lewis stood quietly looking at the large building surrounded by cops.

"Very well, Detective, its your show," said Grant as Lewis nodded and went inside the building.

A large crowd of people stood behind caution tape nearby as police held the line. Within the crowd, Archer stood quiet. When he saw Lewis enter the building, he knew that Forensics finished their investigation, which meant Grant was alone. Archer pulled out his cell phone and dialed Grant.

Grant pulled out his ringing phone and stared at the display, he took a look around before jumping in the Crown Vic and answering.

"Archer?" said Grant hopeful.

"One and only," responded Archer.

"Where the fuck are you!? We got a cluster fuck at your apartment building!"

"Ya I see that,"

"Your nearby?"

"In the crowd,"

"Too close, meet me at Ricks Bar in Culver city in about half hour," said Grant as he hung up.

Archer pocketed the phone and moved away from the crowd, trying to keep a low profile. Once far enough, he hailed a taxi and began heading to the bar.

The driver pulled up to the bar and stopped, as Archer paid the fare, he took a look around.

Ricks bar was an old bar from the 70s and mostly kept its look. During the night, it bustled with activity, a popular spot for off duty cops. During the day, it was pretty empty. Archer pulled open the large wooden door and entered.

The air smelled of smoke and booze as he took a look around. The classic wood finish of the tables and bar was complimented by the low lighting and dark wood floor. Tacky in Archer's mind, but it is what it is. The old jukebox played a classy jazz beat, mellow enough to keep the ambiance. Grant sat quietly at the bar, nursing a glass of scotch more than likely.

Archer crossed over and sat next to Grant. The barkeep gave Archer a smirk and laid a glass on the table, filling it with Scotch. Archer gave the barkeep a nod as Grant gave him a look.

"Where the hell have you been?" asked Grant.

"Where the hell do you think? Its open season on my ass out there," said Archer as he took a sip of his drink.

"And?"

"Had a bunch happen, long story short, I might have narrowed it down."

"So whats the hunch?"

"Docks, gotta be near a dock."

"How you figure?" asked Grant confused.

"Found out from a source that Donovan owns a ship, Which would make sense considering what kind of cargo he needed to transport." said Archer.

"Cargo?"

Archer pulled out a file from under his coat and slid it over to Grant. Grant opened the file and examined the contents.

"Donovan has been involved in shit that is way above my head and yours,"

"Cloning? Harpus? What the hell?" said Grant shocked.

"DoD had a contract with him, but they backed out when they saw the side effects. He has been rouge since, government wont even acknowledge the existence of Harpus, which means we're on our own."

"This is pretty bad, goes above our pay grade. I'll have to contact my guys at FBI regarding it," said Grant.

"What happened at my Apartment?"

"Shooting, lots of folks dead and plenty of blood," said Grant, Archer felt his stomach drop.

"Eliot?" said Archer quietly.

"No, bunch of paramilitary by the looks of it."

Archer relaxed, relieved, "good, but he may have been involved."

"I'm sure, which means you need to stop being undercover," said Grant. Archer gave him a confused look, "We have been busy since you have been gone, you've been cleared for duty."

"bad news?" asked Archer, knowing their would be a catch.

"Once shit hits the fan, the government may come down on you. You'll take a lengthy leave of absence while they do their own investigation,"

"Which essentially means they want me out of the picture while they cover this up," said Archer as he took a sip of his scotch.

"Your just lucky they kept you on as a cop, the stunts you've pulled would have buried most cops. Luckily, I took most of the flack and said you were undercover."

"Don't lose your job for me Wesley, its not worth that," said Archer dropping formalities.

"Don't worry, I'm not planning on an early retirement. This all goes to shit if we don't catch this asshole," said Grant.

"What about Eliot, I wont let him go to jail for this," said Archer.

"Cleared as well, long as he stays quiet about the whole affair." said Grant.

"Well all that's left is to catch this fucker" said Archer.

"Easier said than done"

"If I don't get to him first, Eliot will kill him. Its not over for him till Alister is in the ground."

"We cant have that, he needs to let this go and let us do our jobs. He will pay for his crimes, I'll personally see to that. Get Eliot off the street and catch this guy, Get it done Detective," said Grant as he downed the rest of his scotch and left.

"Yes sir," said Archer. Things were looking a tad better than they did, he was a cop again and he had a good idea where to find Donovan.

"So your a cop again," Archer turned sharply towards the voice and saw Helena sitting at a nearby table, a glass of wine in front of her. Archer stood up with his scotch and walked over to her table.

"You were following me," said Archer as he sat across from her.

"You thought I was going to sit in that motel while you were likely in danger," she asked.

"Its too dangerous for you to be here," said Archer simply, sipping his scotch.

"I hired you to do this, its my responsibility to see it through," said Helena confidently, Archer just stared at her. Helena was unlike any woman he had ever met, most women with her connections and power were snobby uptight assholes. The kind of people that sat in their million dollar mansions while miles away their hired lackeys do their dirty work. Helena was different, she did not hide from the fight, she saw it through. He hated to admit it, but he respected her a lot, even if he was confused by her actions.

"Why do this? Why endanger your freedom and riches to come with us? You could of stayed on your ship while we took care of this, your risking a lot coming her," said Archer honestly, he had to know why.

"Money and power are meaningless to me, I never wanted this for myself. I would trade everything I have if it meant I could stop Donovan from hurting anyone else I call a friend." said Helena as she sipped her wine and stared at the lightly colored liquid, "I have no real family left, all that is left is the small relationships I make now."

At that moment, it clicked for Archer. Loss was something not many powerful people experience, and Helena knew loss. The small relationships she made filled the void left when her family was ripped from her.

He could relate, beside Eliot he had no real family left as well. He was willing to do whatever it took to help Eliot with his predicament, who was he to stop her?

"I...I even began to care for you," said Helena in a rushed and even slightly panicked voice as she rubbed her long blond hair. She could not believe she blurted that out. Archer chuckled slightly as he took another sip of his drink, confusing Helena.

"What's so funny?" She asked annoyed.

"Nothing, nothing, I just seem to remember you telling me you only need me healthy to finish my end of the job," said Archer with a smile.

"Yes, well. I...I have grown to care for you. You have stuck by me and Eliot through everything, nearly lost your life, your job, and freedom trying to see this through. I appreciate it," said Helena with a light smile and reddened cheeks.

"Don't mention it," said Archer, taken aback by her appreciation.

They sat quietly for a while, not knowing what else to say. Archer was rarely at a loss for words, maybe he had to much to drink.

Archer Felt his phone buzz in his pocket, he pulled it out and saw that he received a text message from Eliot. He opened the text message and read it.

Its Eliot, I have Ayane, we are lying low at a motel.

Los Angeles

Motel

6:22pm

"This will have to do," said Eliot as he took a look around the room. The room was small, containing one bed, a small television, armchair, and bathroom. More rundown than the Motel 6 that Archer set them up in, but he had to get off the streets and rest.

Ayane stood behind him as she looked quickly over the room, "I suppose so."

Eliot slowly moved to the armchair and sat down, the pain in his shoulder was not as bad as before. He tossed his phone on the nightstand nearby. Ayane sat at the edge of the bed looking at Eliot.

"What now?" asked Ayane.

"We lie low for a bit, lots of cops in this area," said Eliot, "I already contacted John, sure he will be here soon so lets get some rest. We still have to find out where Donovan and his friends are hiding."

"How are you feeling?" asked Ayane concerned.

"I'll manage," said Eliot simply as he looked down at his bandages. Ayane could not believe how much he had changed. His naïve nature replaced by a hardened one. His once innocent eyes were now filled with sadness and anger. So much change within a year.

"Is it worth it?" asked Ayane simply, trying to see if any part of the man she once knew existed.

"Is what worth it?" asked Eliot as he leveled his eyes on Ayane.

"This vendetta that you have, is it worth all that you have?" said Ayane.

"Before this? No, you were right Ayane. I was way over my head," said Eliot honestly.

"Now?"

"Now its what I have left, to write the wrongs I have done," said Eliot.

"You've done nothing wrong Eliot, this is Donovan's doing," said Ayane sympathetically.

"You know, before this started, I didn't even really know Donovan or what was really going on? I overheard my father talking with Lisa Hamilton about trying to stop Donovan. Then my father disappeared soon after. You know what I felt at the time? It definitely was not fear or care, it was a chance to leave my boring ass life behind and pursue that excitement I craved," said Eliot shamefully.

Ayane said nothing, she knew this was hard for him.

"So I found a way to get on to Helena's ship and tell what I found, I told her I wanted to stay and help. Hell, I even offered up my good friend John to help, no care in the world. I constantly told myself it was for the greater good, that I would be a hero," said Eliot as he put his head back, "what has my selfishness earned me? A dead father, A friend whose career I destroyed and put in danger, blood on my hands, and 6 months for a crime I did not commit."

Eliot stood up and walked towards the window, staring out at the sun slowly setting behind a large building in the distance.

"So, why continue now?" asked Ayane sadly.

"I may not really know Donovan, but I do know Midale Alister. I know what he has done, I know he will do it again. He thought he destroyed me on that rooftop 6 months ago, he may have broken my spirit, but my will is intact. In the end, one of us is going to hell first," said Eliot as he turned to Ayane, "I don't expect you to understand Ayane, but I will kill this man if its the last thing I do."

Ayane stared at Eliot, speechless. She saw herself there, hellbent on stopping her father and his madness. She could not be stopped.

"Get some sleep Ayane," said Eliot as he walked over to the bathroom and shut the door. Leaving Ayane alone.

She couldn't get it out of her head, she remembered the day she killed her father, it was not closure she felt. She felt alone, she always felt alone. She knew Eliot felt the same, alone.

Eliot shut the water off and walked out the bathroom, only to see Ayane standing at the other side of the door, her eyes locked on his.

"A...Ayane?" said Eliot slightly nervous, Ayane closed the distance between them, her crimson eyes never breaking contact. Then their lips connected.

They both gently pulled apart and looked at each other, their feelings at unbelievable heights. They were both afraid to get close to one another, due to the traumatic experiences they have suffered.

They kissed again as Ayane took off his shirt, breaking the kiss shortly before continuing. Eliot removed her shirt as well, they both kissed passionately. Her breast pressed against his chest as they removed their bottoms. Eliot lifted Ayane up bridal style and moved to the bed, gently setting her down and lying beside her.

Ayane rolled on top of him and continued to kiss him passionately, Eliot put his hands on her waist as he returned the kiss. He gently rolled back on top of her and stared into her eyes, he saw something he never would believe he would see, desire.

"Are you sure about this Ayane," Asked Eliot lightly.

"All my life I have been alone, a bastard brought into the world. You never cared, no matter how horrible I have been to you, how much I pushed you away, you never let me go," said Ayane lightly.

"And I never will, I...I love you Ayane," said Eliot as he caressed her cheek, light tears formed in Ayane's eyes..

"I...I love you too, promise me you will never leave," said Ayane barely being able to hold back the tears.

"I never will leave you, my life, for what ever its worth, is yours," said Eliot as he passionately kissed Ayane and they became one. Ayane felt more happier than she ever had in her life, for she finally had someone that cared for her. They both found a happiness they thought was not possible.

And they were not alone any longer

A few minutes later

Archer and Helena jumped out of the taxi, Archer paid the fare and began walking to the motel with Helena.

"Go easy on him John," said Helena worried.

"Go easy on him?! He's lucky I don't beat the shit out of him for doing something so fucking reckless," said Archer as they walked up the stairs and towards Eliot's room, "now that little shit is..."

Archer stopped when he got closer to the door, he could hear what sounded like a woman moaning.

"You little bastard," said Archer with a smirk as he pulled out a cigarrette and lit it, Helena looked at him confused.

"Whats wrong?" asked Helena.

"You don't hear that?" asked Archer as he blew out a puff of smoke. Helena listened and then heard the same moaning, her cheeks turning crimson.

"M...Maybe its the T.V.?" said Helena as calmly as she could.

"Ya... A TV...keep telling yourself that princess," said Archer as he began walking away from the unit.

"Where are you going?" asked Helena as she followed him.

"Well I can't jump his shit tonight, going to have to wait till the morning I think," said Archer as they made their way down to the office to book a room.

As angry as Archer was, he could not help but feel happiness for his friend and finally getting the girl.

Young love, he remembered it well...

Unknown Location

4:00pm

Alister walked slowly to Donovan's room, he was in no rush after all. The idea that this could of all been avoided had he just listened to Alister was sure to be on Donovan's mind.

When he did reach Donovan's room, he could see him sitting inside a large machine, fixing his wounds. Several doctors were running around inside, only the best for their boss.

Donovan took notice of Alister and stared at his staff.

"Leave us!" shouted Donovan from within the machine. The staff bowed and ran out the room. Alister entered the room and looked around.

"What do you want Donovan?" asked Alister in a bored tone.

"I'm sure you have been keeping tabs on Eliot and Archer, how long till you can have them eliminated?"

"First you want to take over my operation, now you want me to continue where you failed," said Alister.

"Failed!? The failure lies with you! Your making this too personal! I only meant to speed things..."

Donovan was interrupted by Alister slamming his hand down on the table.

"They will die when I see fit for them to do so. I don't get my orders from you Donovan, remember that," said Alister in a menacing tone. He dusted himself off and began walking out of the room, "one more thing, you are right about one thing Donovan, this is very personal. You interfere with my work again, I'll have you killed."

Alister left the room, leaving Donovan to his thoughts. He knew Alister was not someone to cross, but he was not someone to cross either.

Sooner or later, I'll have to deal with him

Alister walked calmly through the hall, planning his next move. His thoughts were interrupted when his cell phone began to ring. Annoyed, he pulled the device out and stared at the display, his face hardened as he opened the cell and put it to his ear.

He said nothing as the voice on the other end began to speak, then the phone hung up. Alister put the phone away and put his fingers to his lips. The frown began to change into a smile.

I see

Nakoshomo Building

Tokyo, Japan

4:22am

Rig stood in front of the large building with a small grin. Two heavily armed men walked towards him.

"Whats your business here sir?" asked one of the men as the other kept his weapon ready. Rig's smirk disappeared as he looked at the men.

Lets just say I'm here to secure my future work

Authors notes: So sorry it took me so long to update this, been working two jobs and going to school so almost no free time. Luckily I have been able to quit the second job and still sustain, so I will get back to writing. Thanks for your continuing support, its highly appreciated. Hope you like the chapter, till next time.