Jenni stood seething at the door. Her mentor looked concerned, "Are you alright?" Jenni growled then roared in frustration, "Every time. Every freaking time! Why do I let myself get pulled into situations like that? Why are most of the people I work with think I'm nothing more than eye candy? Why can't anyone keep their filthy hands off me?" Jenni stopped and glanced at Mordecai who looked somewhat frightened. Jen took a deep breath, "Sorry. Sorry. I just...I can't...Sorry." "No, I understand. I've been where you were just then." Heller sighed.
"What's wrong with those people?"
"I don't know. They're just different. Trust me, it only gets worse."
"Now, I know why you don't care for them. How'd you know I was in there?"
"I was going to my room, and I heard commotion. It didn't take long to put the pieces together."
"They're lucky you came along when you did. 5 seconds later and a blood bath would've ensued. Well, good evening Mr. Heller."
"Before you leave, can you join me on the roof?"
"Why?"
"I'd like to speak to you...in private."
"Oh...of course."
The two cats slowly walked to the stairs leading to the roof. The night was stunning. The stars were glowing white. The moon was full of golden light. Jenni smiled at the dark sky. She then looked over at her mentor who was standing on the edge of the roof with his arms behind his back. "Did you just want to show me the beautiful night sky?" Jen asked. Heller growled. "Sorry." Jen lowered her ears and glanced back at the sky. "
I heard what you said to the Savoies." Heller said, darkly.
"They were going to rape me or something. I had to threaten them."
"I'm not talking about that."
"Me financing their club? I was trying to diffuse that tense situation."
"I don't care about that either."
"Then what...oh...what I said about you."
"Did you mean everything you said?"
"Yes, but I don't want you to think I'm unprofessional. I'm not going to act on these feelings."
"Well, thank you for not lying about it or making advances."
"Someone's tried flirting with you?"
"Ugh! More than once."
"I'm guessing that Zulie girl was one of them?"
"Try the person who helped with my scar. She tried to seduce me and undid my tie and shirt."
"Mios Dios! That's...oh god...that's..."
"That's not even the worst of it. One of those cats chloroformed me, so I couldn't fight back."
"What the hell is wrong with those people?"
"Your guess is as good as mine Ms. Graves."
"Well, I can relate. I was almost chloroformed. I was at a cemetery, attempting to retrieve a necklace for one of my clients. However, someone jumped me and held a cloth over my face. I held my breath and pretended to faint. Once the person released me, I put three bullets in him."
"I'm just glad I was able to assist in preventing a similar situation. You're very bold in challenging a group like that."
"You're bold in helping me challenge a group like that. Even after what happened."
"You know, I been thinking about last night and I've come to realize that we actually have more in common than birthdays and birthplaces."
"Well, when you're working in the mafia, you tend to have all the same experiences."
"Perhaps."
"If it's not too personal, why did you work for Lackadaisy?"
"Atlas found me on a train. I was being pursued by people who wanted me dead. I had killed someone and extorted money from someone who was minor in the Underworld. They found this out and sent people after me. Atlas helped me and I returned the favor by joining Lackadaisy. He and I were very close. The thing is, I only did it for my family, so they could have a better life." Mordecai looked sorrowfully at the sky. Jenni looked at him with sympathy and raised and slowly outstretched her hand to comfort him.
She hesitated but continued to put a hand on his shoulder. The tuxedo cat's eyes widened slightly and glanced at the hand. Jenni gazed up at the sky, "I'm...I'm sorry. It must've been hard. Do you still talk to your family?" "Yes," Heller said, shakily pulling away, "But not very well." Jenni's eyes lowered to the ground, "I see." Heller glanced at her frowned,
"You talk to your brother?"
"Yes, and he has a family of his own. A wife named Rebecca. Two sons, Vinnie and Louie. And a daughter, Lisa."
"Both of my sisters are married but only Rose has a child."
"That's nice. You don't have any little ones yourself?"
"No and I don't plan to. Do you?"
"No. I wanted to adopt but...it's too dangerous. Traveling around the world, constantly checking over your shoulder, killing people left and right, that's no life for a kid. It's been my life since I was a kid and I've hated every moment of it."
"Then why do you keep doing it?"
"Like you, for my family. My father was killed by a gangster, hired by someone whom he had crossed. I'm trying to find that person and kill them. So, my brother doesn't meet the same fate."
"That's why you're here. Because you think Mr. Sweet was responsible for your father's death."
"I don't think he's responsible. He hasn't proved otherwise...yet. If he does...I can't make any promises."
"I understand. How's your hand?"
"It's fine, doesn't hurt."
"How'd you get back to the hotel?"
"I hitched a ride from a passerby. I went up to my room and patched up my hand."
"I hope you realize that was merely a simulation and there was no need to physically harm you."
"I know. I turned those tables on myself. What happened after I left?"
"Serafine and Nico cracked a few jokes about me losing a "fight" to a girl."
"But we didn't fight."
"They don't that."
"Well, I hope I didn't make you uncomfortable tonight. It's rare for me to find and work with someone who isn't...you know. I only have a handful of friends like that."
"Likewise."
"I should get some rest for tomorrow night."
"I should as well.
"Well, see you tomorrow."
"You too."
