Chapter 20: Anomaly

I'll do the same thing I did to your mutt…

She closed her eyes as the water rushed down her skin.

Careful he's on a short leash.

Vivian's mind wandered as she leaned her head against the shower wall.

Good to see you back captain.

Flashes of her fighting, the gun firing, blood everywhere. The banging. Rage on her face. Vivian's hands rested against the knobs of the shower, turning it off. The steam filled the bathroom as she felt her aching muscles tense despite the warmth. It's been a few hours since they rescued Two from the lab ordeal. She needed the silence. But the silence wasn't great to her.

She grabbed her towel, rubbing her face. Three's escapade with Two in the hallway, the closeness she relaxed along her shoulders. She smirked at the thought. Despite all that chaos, the bastard was willing to flaunt whatever they were in front of the captain. Does he really care that much? For someone like her? She tensed until she remembered his body getting so close. Kissing him. She closed her eyes for a moment as she wrapped her towel around her. You're allowed to have feelings for him.

You always were the crazy one, James' voice sang. Vivian looked up seeing his face directly behind her reflection. She gasped, immediately looking behind her. Nothing. She looked back at the mirror. He was gone. Just her own gaze staring back at her. She took a breath, leaning against the sink.

She sighed, grabbing her clothes and throwing them on. She switched out of her fighting clothes for something more comfortable. A maroon v-neck sweater paired with darker black jeans. She exited the bathroom entering the main area of her room, going through some jewelry. She glanced at her fighting clothes on the bed.

Flashes of her fighting in that uniform made her flinch. It's been a moment for her to process everything that has happened. She knew she needed rest. Even with the bruises disappearing she felt her muscles ache. She sat on the barstool, looking in a small mirror as she put in some earrings.

The voices of the crew were bustling outside in the halls for dinner. She curled her damp hair and put on a ring or two.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

"Come in," she greeted. The door opened as she watched herself in the mirror. She was surprised to see Four smoothly waltzing in.

"Miss Halvor," he greeted with a smirk on his face. "Or should I say Captain?"

"You know Viv is okay right?" Vivian she smirked back at him. "Besides, it's weird when you call me that."

"Hi Viv!" Five popped out from behind him. Four smiled in amusement. She ran over and Vivian outstretched her arms. Five hugged her tightly.

"Thank you…for everything," she whispered. Vivian hugged her tighter.

"No problem sunshine," Vivian whispered back.

"Are you coming to dinner?" Four asked. Vivian pulled back from Five and she grinned.

"I uh-"

"Oh come on we're doing something special tonight," Five begged.

Android popped up making her jump.

"We have a variety of wine, fruits, meats and other highly nutritious options to choose from," Android announced matter of factly. Vivian sighed, smiling and nodding to Five.

"Maybe I'll tell you a story or two," Vivian smirked, winking at her. Five grinned.

"YAY!" she laughed. "It's gonna be great."

"Just…give me 5 minutes," Vivian mentioned, motioning to Four. Five nodded quickly and ran out of the room.

"I'll be counting!" Five sang as she trotted out. Four chuckled under his breath.

"She really takes a liking to you," Four commented. When he looked back at her, Vivian's smile faded as she took a breath.

"She reminds me a lot of me at that age," Vivian mentioned as she stared at her rings. "How is Two?"

"She's better from our mission," Android mentioned. "I thank you for joining me."

"She's in one piece. Better then the rest you left behind," Four added. Vivian glanced at the uniform.

"Considering my state, I'm surprised I'm even standing. Bit rusty," Vivian mentioned.

"Actually Miss Halvor," Android mentioned. "That's something I wanted to talk to you about."

"Oh?"

Vivian went over grabbing her uniform, stuffing it in the duffle bag.

"Do you mind if there's company present?" Android asked, motioning to Four. Vivian scoffed and shrugged.

"Only if he's fine with it," Vivian mentioned, smirking at Four. He shrugged. "What's it about?"

"Something I found in your medical scans," Android commented. Vivian straightened.

"That being?" she asked.

"An anomaly."

Vivian looked at Four in all seriousness and saw the alerted gaze on their face as she looked back at Android.

…

The scans of the medical room showed x-rays of her skull and her full body diagram floating on the holograms. Vivian was staring at them in confusion.

"I don't understand," she whispered. Four stood behind her scanning the images as well.

"An implant, in your brain," he observed. "But for what?"

"We don't know," Android answered. Vivian looked at her.

"We?"

"Two was going to talk to you before our ordeal with the lab," Android mentioned. "We both were."

Four pointed at the images of her full body diagrams.

"What's this here?"

"That…seems to be somewhat of an anomaly as well," Android replied. "Something in your system is causing rapid healing and regeneration."

"Like Two?" Four asked.

"In theory yes. But the cause of this, is different. I need to look into further research," Android mentioned.

"And the implant?" Vivian asked, staring at the x-ray of a chip in her head. "How old is it?"

"Within the last decade? Considering the model of the chip."

Vivian swallowed hard. She took a breath, then leaned on the medical table. Four looked concerned at her. "You all right?"

Was this a form of mind control? She shook her head at the thought. No it wasn't that. But it was something she had to figure out. And the regenerated healing? How could that be? She looked at them for a moment before rushing out of the med bay back down the hall to her room. Android looked concerned at Four.

"It might be best to-"

"I'm on it," he replied, walking swiftly out of the room.

…

Vivian was rushing through her bedroom door. Four was not far behind her.

"Halvor," he greeted his voice level and smooth. She was panicking.

"Close the door," she whispered harshly. He did as she paced up and down the room. He was shocked as she turned and started throwing off her sweater, leaving her bra on. He tried to turn around to give her privacy.

"Do you wish for me to leave?" Four asked. Vivian stared at herself in a full body mirror. Nothing. There was nothing that remained from even the battles of today. She never noticed it before.

"Do you see anything?" she asked.

"What?" Four asked, he glanced towards her direction. She walked over to him, turning him to face her.

"There's nothing…" she whispered harshly. "See?"

Four swallowed, looking at her up and down. There were no signs of anything. The bruising, gone. She stared at him for a long time noticing he was taking a lot more in. He swallowed, averting his eyes, avoiding staring too long. He reached over to grab her sweater.

"Halvor…I need you to breathe," he whispered calmly.

That's when the door opened. Three stepped in smirk on his face.

"So, captain are you joining in on the feast?"

He stopped in his tracks. They both looked up at him. Three stared at them in confusion, seeing Vivian without her sweater on. Trying not to eye her then hesitated as Four stood next to her. Vivian grabbed her sweater from Four.

"Or we starting the party here?" Three he breathed, observing them, his gaze becoming more and more suspicious. She stared at Three, swallowing hard and blushing.

"Give me a second," she whispered, darting back to the bathroom and screening it off. Three raised his brows as Four stood his ground, processing everything.

Vivian stared at the mirror in horror. Not just of the recent news, but to have Three walk in unannounced. She could hear him whispering to Four.

"So uh…mind telling me what's going on?" Three asked quietly.

"We had a bit of a mishap," Four replied calmly. Three walked over, hovering over him, arms folded about his chest. Four stood his ground.

"One that excludes clothing, huh?" Three asked, glancing at the bathroom door.

"It's not what you think," Four replied sternly.

"Right," Three replied in disbelief. Four gave him a back off look. When Three didn't, he rolled his eyes.

"You're hopeless sometimes," he commented. Three scoffed and cleared his throat when Vivian came back into the room. Three eyed her as Two knocked, stepping into the room.

"So…ready to eat?" Two asked. "I heard it was going to be quite elaborate."

"I'm starving," Four commented as he walked backwards towards the door. He glared at Three as he left. Two noticed Three staring at Four with disgust. Vivian put her arms across her chest. She looked between them.

"Can you give us a second?" Three asked. Two looked between them, furrowing her brows in confusion.

"Don't let the food get cold," Two commented. She looked at Vivian. "You…uh…feeling okay?"

Vivian's face paled. She started wobbling. Three noticed as she tried to step forward, her eyes were dazed over.

"Halvor?" Two asked. She took one more step and immediately hit the floor, passed out.

"Jesus," Three replied as he and Two jumped towards her to help.

"Android, come in," Two she engaged on her coms. "Halvor's collapsed."

"Hey," Three greeted, putting a hand on Vivian's face. "Viv, come on wake up."

"Bring her to med bay," Two ordered. Three rolled his eyes, grabbing Vivian and fireman carrying her out of the room.

…

"She'll be fine…she just needs some rest," Android mentioned as Three paced in front of her. Vivian was placed on the medical bed inside the isolation ward. Two stood watching him and her carefully. "She's been through a lot in the last few weeks."

"Four can you come here for a minute?" Two asked through her coms.

"Why do we have to get him involved?" Three asked growling in disapproval.

"Since when do you care?" Two retorted. Three rolled his eyes, biting his nail as he paced watching her. Within a few moments Four walked in, confused seeing Vivian on the medical bed.

"What happened?"

"She just passed out," Two replied. "No signs of injuries or otherwise."

"What happened when I saw you two?" Three asked.

"What's it to you?"

"No, he's right, something must've happened," Two agreed, folding her arms about her chest. Four sighed, looking at Android.

"We found out an anomaly," Four replied carefully. Three furrowed his brows and scoffed in disbelief. Two looked at Android.

"Does this have something to do with those scans?"

"Yes. She did not take it well," Android replied.

"What the hell are you talking about? Then why the hell did she-?" Three began to protest.

"Check her," Four insisted. Three looked at him puzzled.

"What?"

Four nodded at Vivian on the medical bed. "You'll see."

Two and Three looked at each other. She gave him a nod of approval. He walked over.

"Lift up her shirt," Four commented.

"Didn't think you were that kind of person," Three smirked in amusement. Two just rolled her eyes.

"Just do it."

Three eyed Two as he knelt down to Vivian's level. It took him a second before he lifted up her sweater. He furrowed his brows as he scanned her skin.

"What am I looking at?"

"Nothing," Four replied. "All those bruises, all the impact in the last several days. There's nothing there."

Three's observed her skin. The flashes of lifting up her sweater before in her room. That massive bruise just vanished. He stood up slowly. He backed away towards Two and Four.

"You sure it's not the meds we got around here?" he asked as he stood between them.

Android pulled up the scans again.

"Our medical facility is quite sufficient but she's recovering 5x faster than any person with the proper medical advice," Android chimed in.

"But how?" he asked.

"Is it the nanites?" Two asked. "Like mine?"

"No…it's something different," Android informed. "Something I'd need to research on."

"She was panicking when you walked in," Four commented to Three. Three looked at him and then her. "She needs another pair of eyes."

"What about the chip, have we figured that out yet?" Two asked. Three then looked at her in disbelief.

"Chip what chip?"

"Not yet. All I know is it's connected to a higher network that's outside of this ship."

"Do you think her family would know?" Four asked.

"Might be worth a shot," Two replied.

"Wait wait wait, can someone speak in plain English please," Three suggested. "You're acting like she's an alien."

Vivian eyes fluttered open, as she groaned, putting a hand on her head. Her vision still blurry.

"What happened?" she asked, trying to sit up. Three's eyes darted to her immediately going up to her and getting down to her eye level. He helped her sit up.

"Hey…You all right? You took a spill," he whispered. She refocused, swallowing hard at Three. She nodded slowly. She looked over noticing Two, Four and Android.

"I think I'm a bit hungry," she observed quietly. Her stomach gurgled and everyone looked at her. Three tried not to laugh.

"Well then…why don't we get something to chow down on," he insisted, reaching out his hand. She hesitated before grabbing it.

"We'll meet you there," Two mentioned, patting Four's arm and nodding to Android. They left leaving Three and Vivian alone. He helped her up and she fumbled a bit.

"Whoa easy there," Three breathed as she leaned on him. She looked up and leaned further into him hugging him.

"What happened to me?" she whispered into his chest. He put his hands on her shoulders.

"That…we can figure out after we get you some food," he smirked at her, trying to lighten the mood. She looked at him. And swallowed. He was wearing the cross she gave him under his shirt.

Flashes of her mother giving it to her. Perhaps it'll give you some luck on finding your own protector.

"You okay?" he asked. She blinked, not realizing she was staring at him. He gave a smug look.

"I'm starving."

…

Vivian didn't realize how hungry she was as she smelled the food in the mess hall. She was sitting opposite of Three at the end of the table. Everyone was laughing and having a good time, telling stories here and there. She was savoring every bite of beef, fruit and cheese she could handle. She grabbed a glass of wine and sipped it humming in delight. She noticed Three was glancing at her, trying to not have a smug look on his face. She kept having her eyes rest on the cross hidden under his shirt.

She leaned into the wine. Three noticed her staring and he winked at her. She blushed and he tried not to look smug as he bit into another helping of beef. She was eying him and he felt it. It wasn't until Five piped her into a conversation she snapped out of her roaming thoughts. She was trying not to have the urge to reach for him.

"Viv! Four is teaching me combat training!" Five exclaimed, snapping her head. Four noticed her staring at Three and tried not to laugh.

"Damn straight," Four grinned. She noticed Four teasing her about it giving her his own smug look. Vivian cleared her throat.

"Best teacher for the job," Vivian grinned as she took a bite out of a remaining croissant on her plate. Three got up getting some alcohol.

"Hey what makes you think I can't do it?" Three asked as he grabbed an extra metal glass for the wine being passed around.

"I've seen how you fight Three," Six mentioned. "Stiff as a board."

"I'm not stiff," Three smirked.

"Are you sure?" Four back-handed. "I can think of a few things that would. And I'm not talking about your posture."

Everyone did an "Ooooh" through the room laughing at him. Three rolled his eyes. Vivian almost spit out her food laughing, putting her hand over her mouth. Three sat down next to Vivian.

"I don't think I understand the context of," Android mentioned as she held the wine bottle.

"Don't," Six mumbled to her.

"But-" Five interrupted just as clueless as Android was.

"Agreed," One commented.

"What and miss all the suspense?" Two asked. "I'm sure I can share a bit of dirt on this stiff."

Everyone looked at Two in amusement, Vivian turned pale. The flashes of the hallway incident flushed in her mind. Two noticed and smirked at her.

"Care to enlighten us captain?"

Vivian raised the wine to her lips processing.

"The only thing that's stiff is this drink," Three smirked, winking at Vivian and taking a sip of his own wine.

"Here, here," Six commented. Vivian noticed Three eying her and she looked back at her food trying not to laugh. She mouthed "thank you". Four and Two looked at each other rather amused at the scene.

For the next hour, they were laughing, drinking, and exchanging stories. It felt like forever. Vivian could see Three glancing at her all throughout dinner. She finished up her food and cleaned up her tray as the others chatted about silly debates. Who would win against who, who was the better flyer of the shuttle. Even Two seemed to relax which seemed like such an oddity. But it was a relaxed environment. Vivian was zoning out, trying to find some kind of explanation to the medical records. Is that what her father brushed off so long ago? She had to find out for herself.

"Well hello captain," Three whispered amongst the chatter as he went up to the bar next to her, pouring himself another drink.

"Your legs holding out?" he teased. "Or do I have to manage to catch you again?"

"I'm sure you wouldn't mind if my legs gave out," Vivian whispered. "On different circumstances."

He laughed lowly as he turned himself around, facing the others as they played a game of cards. Five was winning and cheering with everyone laughing and congratulating her.

"It looks like they're having fun," Vivian mentioned, smiling.

"Yeah it's been a second since we've had time to ourselves," Three agreed. He looked at her and she swallowed. It was the first time in a moment she'd seen him relaxed. Happy. He took a sip and kept his gaze on her. She looked away blushing when he grinned. She laughed nervously to herself shaking her head.

"What?" he asked. He smirked, looking away and watching the group again. "Come on you can tell me. I won't bite."

She eyed the necklace, she reached up, barely touching him as she lifted it from his shirt.

"Looks like you're keeping this safe for me," she whispered.

"I promised I would," he whispered back, keeping his eyes on her as her fingers grasped onto it.

"Did it bring you luck?" she asked.

"It brought you back, didn't it?" Three retorted, taking a sip of his wine. She laughed lowly, dropping the necklace. "You want it back?"

He inhaled, trying to keep his composure when she leaned closer to him. Four noticed as he grinned, pretending not to see Three stiffen at the other end of the room.

"You might have to fight me for it," Three teased her.

"I'm sure I'll find a way to get it back," she whispered seductively. Three tried hard to keep his composure in front of everyone.

She smirked at him, winking as she backed away from the bar. She walked over to the others saying her goodbyes.

"You don't want to play a game?" Five asked.

"I'm tired," she replied quietly.

"Aww please?" Five begged. Four nudged Five.

"Let her rest," Four mentioned. Vivian looked at him. He smiled. "She's had a crazy few days."

"All of us have," One agreed, smirking at Two. She nodded in agreement.

"I promise more pirate stories," Vivian mentioned, leaning in and kissing Five's head.

"Okay…" Five gave in. Vivian went over to Four leaning towards his ear.

"Thank you for earlier," she whispered. He smirked at her and looked at Three.

"Don't be surprised if you got a follower," he replied.

Three was staring at her, eying her and then looking away as if he was trying not to gain attention to himself. He was trying not to keep his eyes on Four either. It made the hair on the back of her neck stand.

"Never seen him so tense," Four teased. "You got him wrapped around your finger."

"Well, I'm sure we can find a way to loosen him up," Vivian teased back.

"Should I be worried?" Four teased.

"About me or him?"

"Either."

Vivian leaned into his ear and kept her eyes on Three. She could see him keeping his stare on both of them.

"I guess we'll have to find out won't we," Vivian smirked. He chuckled in amusement as she patted his shoulder. Four smirked, noticing Three laugh under his breath across the room.

"I'll be around," Vivian mentioned in a normal volume.

"Likewise," Four replied. Everyone else said their goodbyes as she walked out of the mess. She felt Threes eyes boring into her as she left.

He sauntered over to the others, grabbing a few playing cards next to Four.

"Well well, aren't you two getting a little close," Three commented.

"Am I hinting a sense of jealousy?" Four asked playfully.

"Shut up and play," Three smirked.

Android was shuffling cards, dealing out to everyone else.

"Android told us about the anomaly. That is…a little bit odd," Six mentioned.

"I think we can vouch that every one of us has our quirks, right?" Three asked. "I mean he's got the wrong face," he pointed at One, "You got some weird empire on the wraps," pointing at Four, "you with you're crazy buggie nanite thingamajigs," he points at Two, "you with your past," Six, "and you…what are you 16 with a bunch of the craziest outlaws in the galaxy?"

"I can still kick your ass," Five grinned. Everyone laughed.

"And you're perfect?" Four asked.

"Of course I am," Three replied with a smug look. They dropped their cards, Five winning again. They redealt the cards.

"Maybe her father knows something," Six mentioned. "Could give us some answers."

"No no way are we calling that man back," One refused.

"Scared of old daddie dearest?" Three smirked.

"Did you see what was in that office? It was like a bounty hunters dream," One objected.

"Maybe she could ask herself," Six requested. "Get some answers."

"I would love to see how that plays out," Three commented sarcastically.

"He's right," Two mentioned. "She's looking better. Maybe we can get some answers. For her and what it was for us."

Three still glancing by the door chuckled, looking at his hand.

"Sure," he replied. "Then again who's looking?"

"You," everyone said in unison. Three laughed as everyone else picked at him teasingly.

"Nothing…is happening," Three sang as he put down a card as they went through another round.

"I highly disagree," Two grinned.

"Nothing," he breathed again giving a sly grin.

"Says the person staring at her all night," Four countered.

"She's pretty," Five started.

"She's got money," One added.

"Your pupils dilate every time you see her," Android commented. Everyone smirked at him.

"Oh yeah," Three brushed off, putting down a card. "Your point?"

"She likes you," Four chimed. Three looked at him with a smug look.

"And you know this how?"

She puts down her cards shrieking in delight. Everyone put down their cards groaning playfully.

"She's been staring at you all night. And it's very obvious you like her," Five mentioned as she went to go get a rewarding pudding cup. Three scoffed in amusement then put down cards.

"If the rest of the night is commenting on my business. I'm turning in," Three smirked. "Thanks for the grub, and the wine."

"Don't stay up too late," Two sang. Everyone laughed behind him.

He rolled his eyes chuckling as he headed out of the mess and into the corridors.

…

It was about an hour after she left the party that the Raza was quiet. Vivian was feeling a bit anxious over. She was sitting legs crossed underneath her on the bed. She couldn't stop thinking about the records replaying in her head, Three finding her with Four and Three just staring at her all night. She hadn't been this focused on someone in a long time. Perhaps even a teenager. The look he gave her. She smiled at the thought.

She heard a Knock. Knock. Her door whirred open.

Six was there, leaning against the door.

"Hey," he greeted. She got up from her spot and crossed her arms about her chest.

"Well aren't you a pleasant surprise," she smiled politely. "What can I do for you?"

"Well I was just…checking in on you," Six smiled. "Two filled us in on the whole…thing."

Vivian swallowed, nodding her head. He watched her for a moment and sighed.

"You had no idea did you?"

She shook her head.

"It's all…bizarre to me," she mentioned.

"Have you talked to him about it? Your father?" Six asked.

"Vaguely," she replied. "But…after this whole ordeal, I don't know what to think. I mean…I don't understand how any of this is happening."

Six stepped in relaxing.

"Why not pop home for a few days, get some answers?"

Vivian scoffed in amusement.

"You serious?"

"Yeah, call your guy and I'm sure they want to check in with you right?"

Vivian stared at him. He was serious. He had a point though.

"We all talked about it. It doesn't hurt anything to get some answers right?"

She nodded.

"We'll do a bit of R&R when you get back."

They laughed a bit. Vivian nodded.

"You promise you won't fly off without me?"

"I don't think we want to piss off dear old daddie if we can avoid it," Six stated, then laughing under his breath. "Well…I'm glad you're feeling better."

He put a hand on her arm and patted it. She laughed a bit.

"Thanks."

"Well I'm gonna turn in," Six mentioned. "Get some sleep."

Vivian nodded as he left her room. She bit her lip, looking around the room before going to her drawer. She grabbed her coms. She heard it ring on the other end until a tired voice picked up.

"Lass?"

"I was wondering if you could pick me up."

"Everything okay?"

"I'll explain when you get here."

…

Vivian packed a duffle bag, stuffing it with a few clothes, some carrying weapons and other essentials for a few days. She had to find answers. Her father was the only one to tell her the truth.

"Going somewhere?" Two's voice came from her door. Vivian jumped from the voice. She glanced as Two stepped into her room.

"I was just about to call you," Vivian commented.

"What's going on?"

"I need to find answers," Vivian breathed, zipping up the bag.

"About the scans?" Two asked. She watched in concern as Vivian swallowed, sighing and sitting on her bed next to the bag. She nodded. Two nodded in understanding.

"How long will you be out?"

"Not sure," Vivian answered honestly. "I'm not really looking forward to being there that long."

She folded her hands on her knees. It's been years since she's been home. She wasn't looking forward to it.

"Something tells me you're not thrilled," Two mentioned. Vivian shook her head sighing.

"It hasn't been the same place, not since my brother died," Vivian informed. "My father isn't exactly the most pleasant. But who can blame him."

She looked up at Two and she nodded in sympathy.

"Well the faster you get answers, the quicker you can get some R&R," Two stated, smiling at her. "You deserve it after all the hell you've been through."

Vivian scoffed and laughed a bit.

"Right."

"Captain?" Corey's voice chimed on her coms. "I'm boarding."

"All be right there," Vivian replied as she stood up, slinging the duffle bag onto her shoulder. Two followed her out of her room as she closed the door behind them.

"Promise you'll hang tight until I get back?" Vivian asked.

They walked down the corridors together passing Three's room. Three noticed them.

"If you went down to save me from a bunch of scientific lunatics, you bet your ass we'll wait for you," Two smirked, nudging her arm. Vivian smirked as they walked towards the docking bay. Three peeked out, furrowing his brows as he saw the duffle bag on Vivian's back. Corey wandering up to her.

"Ready lass?" Corey greeted, walking up from the docking bay.

"Not really," Vivian breathed.

"Hey!" Three's voice echoed through the hallways. Vivian froze, turning to see Three trotting up to them. "What's going on?"

"Halvor's going off ship for a while," Two replied, noticing Three stiffen.

"What? Why?" he asked.

"It's complicated," Vivian replied, shaking her head.

"Does it have something to do with what happened earlier?" Three asked. "I mean come on Two has nanites, you're not that much of a freak are you?"

"Three," Two scolded. Vivian rolled her eyes, looking away.

"A phone call won't suffice?" Three asked, trying to read her.

"Unfortunately no," Vivian replied, she turned to look at him. She felt so strained.

"Speaking of, we have to go," Corey mentioned. "Don't worry we'll be back in one piece."

He grabs her arm in comfort as Corey leads Vivian to the shuttle. Three moves to go to her and Two grabs his arm.

"It's only for a few days Three," Two coaxed.

Three shook off his arm from her and walked up to Vivian as she was about to board the shuttle.

"Hey!"

She stopped, looking at him as he leaned on the outer door of the shoulder. Corey started up the shuttle. Vivian swallowed, looking at the cross on his neck. Three swallowed.

"Hey I-"

"Captain!" Corey beckoned.

"Just wait a second Scottie," Three barked. Vivian tried not to laugh. He looked back at her and she blushed.

"I uh…come back in one piece 'kay?" Three recommended. She smiled sadly, reaching out to the necklace on his neck. He watched her as she looked at it. She leaned in and kissed him on the cheek.

"It'll bring you luck," she whispered. "I promise."

He stared at her as she let go, backing into the shuttle. Three backed away slowly from the shuttle disconnecting and leaving the Raza.

"Few days huh?" Three asked as he walked back up to Two. "You don't plan on bailing on her are you?"

"Trust me Three. We aren't leaving her behind."

He watched her as she left and looked back at the shuttle's empty departure.

"Yeah…"

…

Vivian tensed as Corey flew into orbit of a colorful planet swirling with blues and golds in the atmosphere. Within minutes, he teleported them to a massive stone estate along the shores of the planet. Her father was elaborate of his privacy. His estate sat on a cliffside against the raging shore. Even on a sunny day, it was isolated from everyone else. Acres of land behind him with no buildings for miles. You had to fly to get to the nearest city. Just how he liked it.

She tensed when they finally landed in front of the estate. Corey looked at Vivian in concern.

"Welcome home," he breathed. She shook her head. Corey sighed. "Come on…not best to keep your father waiting."

She stared at the house. She flinched when she felt a hand land on her shoulder, gripping onto her.

"I'm right here with you," he whispered. She looked at Corey who tried to give an encouraging smile. Vivian swallowed, nodding as she got up, grabbing her duffle bag as she exited out of the shuttle.

The salt air hit her like a ton of bricks. Something she didn't realize she missed. Corey lead her to the big double doors of the entrance.

"Mr. Halvor, we're here," Corey announced through the coms.

"Bring her to my study," Erik's voice rumbled causing Vivian to wince.

They entered the estate, the doors closing with a large thump. The ceilings high, the floors tiled. The walls littered with treasures, hunting trophies and more scattered through the estate. Corey put his hand behind her back, leading her to her father's study. He handed her duffle bag to a fellow security guard who took it to her former bedroom.

Vivian held her breath as she reached the large oak door of her father's study. It's been years since she's been in this house. It felt surreal to even be a part of it now. Corey opened the door as she slowly walked in. Erik was leaning on his large oak desk.

"Well my pearl…it's been a long time."