It's never just a simple call, never that in Kyouki's life, things are not that simple. Bad enough, she agreed to roll out of bed early on a weekday. It was having to go back to the Philip's Building like she wasn't just there the day before yesterday.

Dressed in black, Kyouki 'mourned' the assassination of her husband. Several made condolences as she stood in the foyer. She spoke with the President of Ultor, who rushed from his home.

"Several immediate issues have to be dealt with now that Junior Vogel was removed. The Senior Vogel has stated that you will make the decisions this moment after."

She and the President approved the appointment of new board members at an emergency meeting with shareholders. The Ultor head of command was willing to give Kyouki time to mourn, but she insisted that they get this task completed as soon as possible.

Being escorted to the boardroom, she greeted the already waiting suits looking at her queerly. Something else was amiss, Dex wasn't there. Granted, the meeting was sudden, not one he may have been needed, but they replaced the person who she should have seen with his peer.

Kyouki greeted them politely, feeling akin to several meetings she attended with her deceased uncle.

The others in the room returned introductions and pleasantry. Kyouki was notified that they would need a head of Special Projects, as that was Dane's department, as he was also the new CEO. They have shown a list of candidates on the projector screen and there was only one who would even be considered for that position. Eric Gryphon.

Kyouki read the application that qualified the man to be the only person to fill that position. "A Rover for Space Exploration?" She asked curiously.

"Not just a rover, it will be capable of bringing what is on other planets visible." One of the eager staff answered.

"Ah." Kyouki would not pretend to know what all of that was. Space was vast and not tangible in her eyes. She needed to speak with Eric as it was. His being mentioned alone seems fishy.

The meeting continued with candidates for the board members applying to fill the empty roles. Kyouki listened and read applications with little input, other than what made them qualify. With the major concerns of the company out of the way, they broke for lunch.

The last person who left was the President, soon a portly man came in shortly after, introducing himself as the one who had been leaving messages on her cell.

A quirked eyebrow, Ky could not tell his intention. She listened as he spoke of his findings on how he found Dexter Jackson was plotting to kill her.

"Dexter has been moving waste from the nuclear plant that he and Vogel sold on the black market." He exclaimed what he had seen firsthand. "He's planning on using the Masako to destroy the evidence. If anyone else finds out what he's doing, Mr. Jackson is finished."

"So what is it you need from me?" Kyouki asked, uncertain of what bringing Dex up to her really means.

Eric looked her in the eyes without batting an eye. "I need protection."

"That's probably one of the things you should have thought of 'fore you tried to have the Boss killed in a church." Pierce came in hurriedly. "I have been looking for you. You didn't pick up."

"Sorry, my phone is off. Meeting."

"Excuse me, I had nothing to do with that – you really need to separate the man from the company."

Pierce thumbed at this guy, shaking his head. "I'm just sayin' attempted murder doesn't breed trust. He has been ringing my phone, how he got my number I ain't sure." Kyouki nodded in agreement.

"We're on the same side." Gryphon pointed out.

Pierce turned to the Ultor man, shrugging. "I ain't gonna lie. I think that's pretty fuckin' unlikely."

"Look, Dexter's people have been on my ass for a while now. When I found out about his plans, he has been suspicious of me ever since. If I don't get out of here soon, the Masako are gonna kill me." Eric looked at Kyouki, who stood watching the back-and-forth bickering.

Pierce turned to Ky. "Dex? Who is Dex even? Ain't he part of the Ultor family?"

Eric interjected before backing away. "Families fight."

"Yeah, but they don't try to kill each other." Kyouki rebutted.

Eric sneered. "Tell that to Julius."

Kyouki's eyes narrowed. "Don't do that again." Her tone was murderous.

Pierce "You got something on Dex or not?"

Eric went pale. He swallowed hard and watched as Dexter kissed Ky on the top of her head. Ky jumped, not expecting the very man they were speaking of. Pierce looked at Dex and still had no clue who the man was.

Dex greeted Eric with a knowing smile. "How was your weekend, Eric?"

"Busy. Yours?" Eric stood rooted to the spot.

Dex stood with his hands behind his back. "Disappointing."

Eric sneered. "Get used to it."

"You know, I'm surprised. Didn't you call in sick?"

"Well. There was a meeting. I figure you can't kill me at the office, or in front of Mrs. Vogel."

Kyouki raised an eyebrow once again, listening to the terse remarks between the two men.

Dex nodded and chuckled. "I'm the head of security. I can do whatever I want."

"Unless I fire you." Ky chimed in. "Eric here has been telling me things about you. Are they true?"

Dex knew what she was implying, and he nodded. He would have to explain clearly later. Ky took a deep breath, nodding. She turned, not bidding either a goodbye. Pierce escorted her out.

Eric closely followed. If Dex had wanted to kill him or Kyouki it is quite possible there in the meeting room would have been the spot.

"Babe, you aight?" Johnny asked as she came through the door.

"Dex is… has plotted to kill me. I saw him today."

"The fuck?"

Kyouki shrugged as she placed her purse down. She explained what had happened after the meeting. Sipping her juice, she went to sit on the couch. "I don't know what I ever did to Dex. But he admitted he had tried to kill me."

"You ain't did shit. I told you he was a sellout. Next time I come with you." Johnny is always guns blazing. Dex walked on them before, when they were all looking for him. He turned his back on them. Dex has been on Johnny's hit list ever since, especially after he found out that he went to work for Ultor.

"Johnny no…" she could hear him grumble. "I know already. But let me handle this, yeah?" Ky kissed the corner of Johnny's mouth. "Let's order something to eat. It's been a long, weird day."

"Yeah, what you want?" Johnny asked, picking out a few menus. "And what are you going to do?"

"Tomorrow I'll head to the plant and demand to see records."

Johnny held out the menus like a deck of cards. As Ky picked one, he took it. "Ask Ro."

"Why?" Ky turned to look at the food choice before handing it to Gat.

"Remember the waste you used on Maero? He knew the guy who delivered it. Yeah, let me get three large pies… Make it two."

Kyouki got up a little later but made her way out, as she needed to see and find out what was really going on with Dex. Ky called her cousin as she was walking out of the door. Conforming with Tracey what she had said a while back, that he had been giving her extra money. Both thought it was because of her baby cousin. But thinking about it now. The sudden influx and passing of money on a salary such as Dex's wouldn't allow for big spending such as he was gracing Tracey and E.J with.

Dane was underhanded. Did it also help with Dex? Ky shot out a text to Dex and waited. Ky had gone to the garage finding Ramon, Ren, and Carlos busy in a new car that was for Manuel, for Luz.

"Hey, Boss. How you?" Carlos called out, noticing Ky walking through the bay.

"Good, busy, yous?"

"They banned you from Boss duties…" Ramon said.

"Wow. You too? Whose side are you even on?" Ky joked as they all chuckled. "But I'll have you know that I am not being A Saint today… kinda. I need to know about Dex and the toxic waste he has been selling if he is."

Ramon tightened a bolt and swiped his hands. "I'll be back later. Mind the shop. Let's go, Jefa. I needed to speak with you about that."

Curiosity peaked when Ky heard that. What did Ramon know exactly? As he washed up, she waited until he was done. She, in the meantime, called Tobias to see if he could give her a lift to the plant if she needed to go. After getting her confirmation, Ramon was already leading her to her car.

"Yeah, my boy who dropped the stuff off said that Dex had been over to the plant a bunch of times. I have been meaning to tell you, but ya know. Things have been hella hectic."

"Not your fault, I know. But that doesn't explain him trying to kill me."

"What now?" Ramon was all eyeballs and ears with that statement.

"His coworker tipped me off a few days ago, and I spoke with him yesterday. Dex came up, and I asked him... he said it was true. But it doesn't make sense. Why?"

"You right. He is practically your family. Gotta be more to it. Ok, let's go to the plant right and look at the books. My boy said we could. Let me see if he is working today." Ramon already reached for his phone.

Kyouki overheard half the conversation as they made their way to HQ. Dex still never responded to the message Ky left. Texting once more, she worried. When they arrived, they found a BBQ party setting up, and their Boss was being chastised for being there when she was supposed to be off duty.

"Robert James! You better calm your happy ass down. I have other things to do!"

"Cuz, listen up. You, of all people, need a vacation. Even if it's a week. How is it you still busy?"

"Business matters."

"What business?"

"Nosey. When you finish cooking, send some over for me and Johnny." Ky said as she saw Tobias strolling up. "And clean up!" As she entered the tower to the helipad.

"Aight, aight. I was planning to!" Bobby called after her.

Ramon and Ky left for the nuclear plant.

Kyouki was in hiding with Ramon when they found themselves faced with several Masako. Her phone rang, and she was on the line with Eric. "Wait. Explain this one more time."

"I thought I made myself quite clear."

"No, you did. I just wanna make sure it still sounds crazy the second time around." Ky peered around the corner, hushed as she watched the elite guards across the island nuclear plant land minutes after she did.

"I thought you wanted to hurt Dexter. My mistake..." Gryphon said sarcastically.

"Hurt Dex, no… information– I was not about to fight a gotdamn army today!" She harshly whispered into the phone.

Having to move from the approaching guards, she and Ramon crept further into the plant.

"You'll have help," Eric assured her as he just sent another heli to protect the CEO.

Kyouki thought about it. If Dex runs the Masako just who would Gryphon be sending? "From who? A bunch of Ultor rent-a-cops? They're not shooting on their own, let alone shoot straight."

Eric sighed. She was missing the point . "That's what you're not getting: they're not our own. He's planning on using the Masako to destroy any evidence. Dexter Jackson is finished."

"Please, I wouldn't care. I've heard stories about what happened in The Pyramid."

"There's a difference between science and war profiteering. If we were into nuclear weapons, we'd be selling to countries with a real economy, not some nut job that lives in a compound."

They ducked into a locker room. Ramon handed her a jumpsuit and a helmet. "What are you saying? He was selling to the military?"

"Yes. Dex wants to make his final sale tonight. Together, we can stop him."

Kyouki didn't like how that sounded. It was well into the evening, and still no call or text from Dex. It was growing more and more suspicious and seemingly possible Dex would have found alternatives to survive without his cash cow, Dane. But to sell toxic waste to the government? That doesn't sound like the man she once knew at all.

Eric was between his phone conversation with Kyouki and seeing how close the guards were. "We'll need to thin out the Masako ranks before stopping Dex's shipment."

"How the fuck are we supposed to do that?" Kyouki asked, exasperated because the place was crawling with Masako and she sent Tobias off the minute the heavily armed guards landed.

"I leave the details up to you."

"Me against the whole army!?" When Ramon looked at her, he called for backup. His people were speaking with the guards, who they were sending in the opposite direction.

"You won't be alone. The security team at the plant is full of my people," Eric stated calmly.

"Well, that'll be great for about ten seconds..." The call dropped, and she was at a loss. There they were alone on the island full of nuclear waste and the only other way off was by boat, which she or Ramon knew how to drive. If push comes to shove, she'll figure it out. Mingling in with the crowd there, they finally found someone Ky and Ramon both knew. They went to the records room where the logs from the past six months sat that they needed.

Neither one of them had the arms the Masako had and if they saw her, what then? If they were like Dane's men, they would kill her. If they are under Dex, she might have a chance and meet up with him. Suddenly, her phone vibrated in her pocket, startling her as she looked through the logs handed to her as Ramon kept watch.

Dex came through loud and clear. "You need to get out of there now!"

"I'm looking over logs. You should tell me what is going on."

There was a long pause before Dex said anything. "Gryphon's not who you think he is."

"He is off. I'll give you that. But please, the fuck did I ever do to you?" Kyouki asked as he forced her to duck down and hide under the table with Ramon standing before her. The line was dead, the familiar beeping signaling. "Damnit!"

They needed to escape. The records show that Dex has been there with him and Dane. They were buying barrels of the stuff. What they did with that, she would have to let the sale go through to find out. Her phone vibrated once again.

"He's got you outnumbered. Hur- You…. Time."

"Dex, we need to talk. You need to tell me what's going on!"

"The only thing Julius was right about you never - to… quit."

Kyouki and Ramon headed back outside. Taking a long way around, well away from the Ultor cops and Masako, she heard a chopper overhead. "It's one of my many charms. If you are in trouble. Let me help."

"You can't help me. Took … your…. "

"Talk to me after I fuck up these guys." The heli was looking for her. It was not the Saints, Ronin, or even Tobias. The call dropped again. Ky sucked her teeth. Today was not going to be easy. Now it was a fight to get out of there alive. "Ro, we gotta do something. This place makes my skin itch. And I only been here once before."

"This way." Ramon looked around. The coast was clear as they headed back to the main area and hopefully well away from the guards that were swarming about.

Kyouki's phone vibrated once again. "At this point this phone chase is annoying.?"

"Are you still there? Do you have any idea what Gryphon is like?"

"... If you let me help, I would."

"Where would you get anything to help, huh? This isn't some fucking backwards gang from Stilwater. This is the real world!"

"As if I didn't know! I lost Ish, my uncle and cousin in a month! I have done nothing but try my damndest to save and help everyone! It's clear to me you don't really know me." Kyouki knew what she was seeing. Dex was selling to the military. It was none of Kyouki's business. If there was anything more going on, she would need to speak to Dex face-to-face if he wanted to see her.

"Are you even listening to me? Gryphon is manipulating you!"

"I know Gryphon is fighting hard to turn us against each other. So if you don't want my help, what can I do? Or I'll see you soon…" Kyouki hung up.

Once the guards and Masako left, the Saints reported back to Ramon, who notified Ky. "Tobias is on his way back to pick us up."

"Yeah, I'm ready to go." Kyouki looked over the books one last time. It's out of her hands. If Gryphon wants to fight with Dex, that's his problem.

She will deal with Gryphon another day. She made a call once they were well away from the island. When she reached the loft and threw the clothes she had away, having them burned. Johnny didn't question her when she came in. He just watched. After a long shower, Ky came next to him on the couch as she towel-dried her hair.

"Why did you call Dex a sellout?"

It took Johnny back. They looked at each other for a long while.

"Did he do something wrong?" Ky asked, probing.

"He disappeared. When we was looking for him." Johnny said.

"To work." Ky pointed out.

"Blood in, Blood out." Johnny was set on it. "He could have not taken the job at Ultor too."

"To make a living? Not doing what we do. Not everyone has old money." Johnny was quiet. Kyouki nodded. "To be honest with you, he never tried to kill me. He, in fact, tried to save me today. So… whether you like it or not. I owe him. An ass whipping for abandoning us and for today."

When Kyouki hung up, Dex knew he needed to leave. He didn't want Kyouki to think he was after her, but she's so gotdamn stubborn it's irritating. Stowing his phone in his pocket, he went to get his shit together. Called his secretary to make moves and to call favors in; he needed to leave the city, and start somewhere new. Sadly, he needed to wait until tomorrow morning.

Dex came in to gather up anything he may have forgotten. His work here was finished. Kyouki was right if she didn't fire him. She never implied she would. He knew that. Still, he would rather leave than give her the satisfaction, especially after his admission of guilt. His secretary, who has been with him for the past five and a half years, greeted him with a bittersweet smile.

With a slight nod of his head. "Is everything in order, Katie?"

"Yes sir, your effects are en route."

Dex nodded in thought. "And my office?"

"I followed protocol: your machine's been wiped and paper files have been shredded. Are you sure you can't wait a few days? You're going to miss the company picnic."

Dex shook his head. "I can't, I'm sorry. This transfer is an enormous opportunity for me. I need to leave tonight."

Katie hummed, sighed, then needed to share her thought. "With respect, sir... you had me call in every favor. You had to get an immediate transfer. It doesn't look like this is a step up for you."

Dex raised an eyebrow. "And what does it look like?"

"Honestly? Like you're running."

"You're a smart girl." Leaving instructions to his replacement, who Katie would be now working for.

A clearing of the throat startled Dex and Katie. They then noticed a small Asian woman, who stood waiting for them to finish their conversation quietly in the doorway.

"Mr. Jackson?" The black-suited woman said.

"Yes?"

"Lady Akuji has made arrangements for you. Your wife and children are waiting for you at her penthouse in Wardill. Your house is being packed up as we speak and this." Handing him a red envelope. The envelope contained a dated blank check and a note. "She has also purchased you a home for you if it is not to your liking…" her voice trailed off as Dexter read the note in his hand.

'I owe you an ass whooping and my thanks. Fill the check for what you need, and don't be greedy! You don't have to keep in touch with me but don't be too much of a stranger.

XOXO

Li'

There was an event with the Ultor company. It seems they are the ones who continue to move forward, even facing the Reaper. Though it wasn't some random thing, it was annual, and it was going as scheduled.

Down to the marina, the people who worked for Ultor and their families were enjoyably in attendance. Food, music, and laughter filled the boardwalk and beach. 'Family Fun Day.' They called it. Along with Kyouki and Johnny, who watch over from a distance, with her two little cousins as their mom was using the restroom.

Eric spotted the pair chatting amongst themselves, entertaining the small children. He now approached them with worrying news.

Nimani had noticed the man and clung to Kyouki tighter. "Baby, wassa matter? Holding me so tight?" Seeing Eric from the corner of her eye turned to face him.

"Mrs. Vogel, may I have a word with you?"

"Now? We are not in the office." Ky greeted with a smile while shifting the little girl in her arms.

"It is urgent." He insisted.

Kyouki tilted her head and passed the girl to Johnny, who held E.J's hand. "I'll be back in a sec." She and Gryphon walked up the shade of the long boardwalk.

Then he hit her with the news.

"The fuck you mean, he's gone!" Kyouki screamed at him. Causing several in the vicinity and Gat, who looked back.

Eric shook his head. "Dexter left town last night. He requested an emergency transfer."

"This is bullshit, Gryphon!" Ky threw her arms out. "How could you let him get away?"

"There was nothing I could do." Eric looked nervous. It infuriated the gang leader.

"Nothing you could do? I swear to God if I find out you helped him..."

"I didn't!" He panicked, backing up.

Kyouki's face twisted murderously. "Then make it right." She said, so only Gryphon could hear.

A chill went up his spine that made the hairs on the back of his neck stand. "How? He knows you're trying to kill him. There's no way he's coming back."

"That's a good thing. He would slip up eventually, yes? So you're gonna help me get his people."

" 'His people' ?"

Ky raised an eyebrow, hands neatly folded, and glared at the man who proved his incompetence. "How does someone vanish like a thief in the night and not have people to help? Anyone, rat, cat, Mrs. Crumplebottom! I want names, numbers, and addresses. Anyone who helped him after he tried to kill me… dead. Or you can be Dex for a day."

"I think I have an idea." Eric had a small window, and he could get her what she needed. He just needed time. "Today, I will have that for you. By the end of the day!" Eric hurried off.

Ky snorted, heading back to the others.

Sitting underneath a large umbrella on the sand watching Tracey, Johnny, and the kids play in the ocean. Ky took a relaxed breath, her thoughts interrupted when the huffing and puffing of a man collapsed on the blanket she sat.

Eric was redder than any cooked crab wheezed. "Alright… I have… what you… asked."

Handing him a cool bottle of water. "How's the view?" She gestured to the sea.

Eric Gryphon greedily gulped the water before gathering himself. "Adequate… Dexter's people are all over… you can work your... magic... from that building." Handing over a list. He pointed to the building behind them.

Kyouki looked at the list of names in her hands. "Wouldn't it be easier to just walk up to these assholes?"

"If you want to go on a suicide run, be my guest, but if they spot you, we're both dead."

"If you say so. You think they're gonna come down on you for this?" She could see why they would kill Gryphon. He was indeed a manipulative sellout.

Eric sat up. "Maybe. Ultor rats isn't your problem anymore, right?"

Kyouki shook her head and chuckled. "Yeah, I don't give a shit. I was just being polite. Exterminating is what I do best."

Gryphon gulped loudly. "Thanks for faking it."

"Anytime." Kyouki smiled.

"What are you going to do now?"

"Go take time to mourn. Then I'm gonna find out which city Dex ran to."

Eric nodded. "The Stilwater Branch won't have any more unpleasantness with the Saints, will we?"

"As long as you don't come after me and mine, you can go to Mars for all I care. Now go away, it's still Family Fun Day." Kyouki smiled and waved at Johnny, Tracey, and the kids. Getting up dropped the list and ran to the water, chasing Tracey and the children around splashing them with water.

Eric sat watching them, feeling a looming shadow cast behind the umbrella. Purple-clad individuals came running, flipping, cartwheeling, and laughing as they joined the woman who is the city's most dangerous figure.
Who cleaned the streets with blood as if it were just a regular weekend.

And tomorrow? Just another day.

Thank you for sticking around. It has been over a decade when I started this story (The first time). I am proud of what I have done and I don't think this story is far from over. There is more to tell in the day and lives of Kyouki and Johnny but more importantly the lives of the Saints. There is so much to tell that I will see it to the end. Be it a short, a blurb, or another 900 (47) Chapters.

Keep a look out and Blessings to you, the reader. Huge Thank yous go out to those who have believed in me (Cookie), who have subtly shoved me, to even question what is making who in the story tick. (Missy!) And to Kizmet who wanted to see what happened with that Samedi gang... Girl... I still need to add the dog!

I fought against myself mostly because I doubted myself. Without the support I had while reworking this story together you wouldn't have anything here to show. I appreciate and love you all dearly.

Had a good time in Stilwater? Let me know. Tatty-bye! KikiAries (Kia)