Summary: Honoka takes a risk. Meanwhile, the time has come to split the group coming to her rescue. Sharing a hotel room, Nico and Maki have a chance to talk.

Honoka sprinted, face covered, clothes dark, hat stolen from a stranger. She had to make it back to the hotel before anyone noticed her absence. The news of law enforcement heading to Denver had Tsubasa questioning everything, all of A-Rise was on edge, too eager to reach for their guns. This was their big score of the year, before the gang splintered into smaller clusters for winter survival and reconnaissance. So it needed to go well. Tsubasa had a reputation to keep up. Which mattered as much as the gold to the gang leader. And after Rin had saved Nico and fled, Tsubasa had a score to settle with the Federal marshals as well. The stakes were high. Umi was one of the smartest people Honoka knew, but the marshal doubted her lover would realize the viciousness Tsubasa was capable of. Honoka had to make sure Umi wasn't riding into a death trap with no backup. Honoka's job was hard enough, she couldn't add the weight of Umi's loss and Kotori's heartbreak to it. Tonight, by some gift of Fortune, Honoka had a room in the very back of a desolate hotel and a roommate who had found alcohol and a partner somewhere else. So three hours before dawn, Honoka had taken her biggest risk yet, crawling out her window, climbing down, and sending a desperate message to the only person she had left to trust.

###

Kotori finally saw a glimmer of sun. So she turned from the window to stare at Umi, who slept as soundly in the Pullman's stateroom as she did in their own home. She would be embarrassed if she ever realized how many mornings Kotori spent like this, lying on her side, eyes etching in memory the smallest details of Umi's face, the cuteness of her nose, the plump lips, the peacefulness that Umi kept shielded during her waking hours. Kotori reached out a gentle hand, stopping her fingers the barest space above Umi's flawless skin. Trust, Umi trusted Kotori and Honoka, trusted them enough to take a chance on this life they had together.

Umi's golden eyes opened. "Love?"

"Umi."

"She'll come back to us."

Kotori threw herself on Umi's solid shoulder, sobbing as the rainclouds rolled in.

###

Nozomi was enjoying the view. Eli, Eli as The Russian, dressed with flair. A cream shirt with small prairie flowers embroidered on the yoke, a bandana blue as her cornflower eyes, a cream hat cocked at a flirtatious angle, gunbelt sitting atop the curve of denim clad hips. Eli moved gracefully, with confidence, grin easy. But Nozomi knew all Eli's tells. And the tiniest twitch in the laugh lines around those emotive blues had Nozomi scrutinizing every stranger's approach, searching for any hints of danger to her soulmate.

They were about to step out onto the rainy platform, change trains, Eli striding toward the door, commanding the suddenly crowded nook. Then she turned back, reached out her hand, and pulled Nozomi even with her. A quick nod, cheek kiss, beaming confidence. "We got this, partner. You can bet on it."

"Always."

###

The train with half their group had pulled out of the station. The rain had remained. Maki watched Nico, staring at some distant point, the collar of the duster she'd gifted her pulled up, hat pulled down, tattered bandana hiding most of her face, raindrops dripping down the waxed canvas. Hanayo had huddled under an awning, out of the rain. Pacing was better, Maki decided, ignore the wet cold against her neck, wait for Rin to return with horses or news.

Hanayo shivered. "We should start in the won't be good footing for our horses."

"We could just take the train a few more stops." The only sensible option. Maki at least realized that.

Nico shook her head, "Rin's too recognizable. The A-Rise gang will be gathering from different locations. Most will travel by train."

"What kind of bandits have an annual convention?" Maki snarked.

"Braggarts." Nico stomped. "They figure they're too big to be stopped."

Rin rushed up, holding an open umbrella, shaking the rain off. "Got horses for tomorrow and rooms for tonight. We can get food too."

Hanayo grabbed Rin and hugged her.

"Thought you'd like that." Rin grinned.

"More delays." Maki grumbled.

Nico pulled her hat lower, "Nico will go right to the room. Bring up some food."

"Nobody'll know who you…" Hanayo chirped.

"Those damn posters are all over. The closer we get to Denver, the more of 'em Nico sees."

"It's a bad picture. You look twelve."

Nico glared at Maki, eyes sharp above the bandana. Maki almost laughed. But the cold at her neck reminded her of all the ways this was going to be an uncomfortable night.

"Me and Hanayo will take one room; you and Nico get the other."

"What!" Maki startled. "No."

Rin's eyes were wide. "Did you want to fit us all in one room?"

"No. I don't sleep well with anyone else in the room…"

Nico's face had a complicated expression at that announcement.

"I mean…it's just…I'd like some privacy."

"They only had two rooms, Maki. What was I supposed to do?" Rin pointed to a yawning Nico, "And Nico's asleep already."

"Too cold to be asleep. Nico needs to warm up. With a blanket. Or a bath. And Nico doesn't want to argue about roommates."

"Fine." Maki turned away.

"That's settled." Rin handed Nico a key. "There's a back stair. Second floor, room 203. Kayo-chin and I will bring up food."

"I can get us food. You don't know what I like."

Rin giggled, "Rin doesn't think Maki likes anything."

"I like to eat." Maki pushed her antagonist forward. "Let's go."

###

Maki came upstairs with a box. The smell of warm food had Nico salivating. She hadn't realized she was that hungry.

"What's for dinner, Do…"

Maki glared.

"What's for dinner, Maki?"

"Biggest steaks I could find, heap of mashed potatoes, and some overboiled greenish vegetables."

"You make it sound appetizing."

Maki shrugged, "It's food. Steak'll help build you up."

Maki pulled a bottle out of her coat, "I also found a decent bottle of bourbon that wandered here from Kentucky."

"Nico likes to keep a sober head."

"Well, your Doctor recommends an aperitif for digestion." Maki poured out a shot and drank it down, hiss gritting out between teeth.

Nico held up a hand when Maki offered the bottle and another jigger.

"Suit yourself." Maki sat at the small table.

Nico pulled tins out of the box, splitting the food between her and Maki. The greens really weren't anything appetizing, a mix of peas and lima beans, probably freed from last year's cans. Nico would have to be far hungrier before she bit into a lima bean.

"Itadakimasu." Nico muttered.

Maki laughed, "Cultural relic."

"Comfort ritual. Mama always said it reminded her of dinners with Papa in Japan."

"You were born in Japan?"

Nico nodded, cutting the steak in careful bits, "My siblings were born here. Papa loved how Northerners fought for people to be free and how many different cultures mingled in cities. He was always talking to new people. Nico learned to be friendly from him."

"My parents came over to learn new medical techniques. And so I could attend a medical school. Papa wanted me to have that opportunity."

"Do you like being a doctor?"

"I can help people so I do."

Not a direct answer. Nico changed the question. She remembered Nozomi, the Tarot cards and all the possibilities that had been shuffled into the room. But maybe it was best to stay present and start with the past.

"Did someone in San Francisco break your heart?"

Maki felt the anger rile up, but Nico's expression was open, friendly, curious. Maki didn't want to turn the mood grim.

"No." Maki poured another shot of whiskey, the taste of frustrated arguments from the past still sour in her mouth. "I did get tired of my parents setting me up with their idea of the perfect son-in-law."

"But Maki was never interested?"

Maki shook her head and offered to pour Nico a shot. Nico accepted.

"Nico likes pretty girls. So let's toast pretty girls." Nico raised her glass, encouraging Maki to join her.

Maki clinked her glass against Nico's, downed her shot, felt her cheeks warming with the whiskey's influence, "Do pretty girls like Nico?"

Nico leaned in, eyes a-sparkle, "Do you?"

Maybe it was the whiskey. Or the tired. But Maki leaned in instead of leaning away.

"You almost died. I had to save you." Maki didn't have the words for how her feelings had deepened over the time she'd spent with Nico, watching her daughters grow closer to the visitor, sensing Nico's curiosity, fearing Nico's absence.

"You did save Nico."

"And then I wanted you to get well." Maki could spare a small truth. "As a…friend. Not as a doctor."

Ah, now, Nico thought, this might be progress. Maki usually only talked this openly in the dark, under the brilliant pleasures of the night sky. Here in the hotel room, by lamplight, the amethyst in Maki's eyes shimmered with shadowed depths Nico read confusion in. She reached out her hand, covering Maki's. She hadn't realized how much Maki had been vibrating but now, suddenly, there was stillness.

"Nico?"

Nico's heart twisted at the turmoil in Maki's voice.

"It's okay. Nico healed. Nothing scary's going to happen."

Maki slid her fingers through Nico's.

"I don't understand why this feels…nice."

Nice. Nico would take nice. Nice was a feeling Nico could build on.

"Nico feels warm, happy." She squeezed Maki's hand, "And like I want to be closer to you."

Maki's tongue licked out. "I don't…I've never…"

Nico could feel Maki pulling away. Nico quickly dropped a kiss on Maki's fingers, and let go.

Maki held her hand against her chest, eyes wide. "Huh?"

Nico grinned, shoving tired two weeks into the future. Nothing but cheerful confidence right here, at this crucial moment.

"Nico's not in a rush. There's so much Nico doesn't know about Maki. We have time. Nico loves to talk." Nico pushed her chair back.

Maki nodded, slowly, watching Nico.

"Right now, I need to get ready for bed. Don't want to get in trouble with my doctor." Nico exaggerated a yawn, stretching her arms out as she stood.

Maki's relaxed smile was Nico's new favorite sight. "No, you really don't. I might report your lack of cooperation to Dia."

"Now, there's a real threat."

Shared laughter. Nico had transmuted confusion into comfort. Enough alchemy for tonight.

"At least Rin got us a place with a bathtub. Nico could use a good soak. Will Maki be all right alone?"

"Got a magazine to finish. Can I wash up and change first? I'll fill the tub for you."

"Thanks. Nico needs to unpack."

Maki hesitated, stopping to stare at the bed.

"Rin did mess up with the one bed though."

Don't make this awkward, Nico told herself. "Nico's a sound sleeper. Maki doesn't have to worry about Nico talking all night."

Maki smirked. "And you won't take up much room."

Nico had put her bag on the bed and grabbed a pillow, threatening Maki. "Keep it up, Doc, and Nico will make you sleep on the floor."

"Oh, is that what Nico does with those pretty girls?"

Unexpected boldness. Nico grinned, "Maybe someday you'll find out."

"Who says I want to?"

"You just did." Nico swatted Maki. "Go wash up. Nico needs her soak before getting on a horse in the morning."

"Yes, ma'am."

###

Ah, Nico felt human again. Right before she was about to ride off into the mountains of Colorado to camp for at least three days. And then…Nico pulled her nightshirt over her head. She'd bought enough clothes to stuff a suitcase before getting on the train. Not Nico's first choice for stylish, but definitely warm. Gloomy weather had moved in. Nico wasn't ready for Autumn yet. She would have loved to spend summer in Otonokizaka Falls, well, healthy, and exploring the area, learning from Maki, Dia, and Ruby what their favorite spots were. Nico knew that Ruby and Dia would welcome her back with eager arms, but Maki, Nico didn't yet know enough about Maki to make any predictions. She couldn't even be sure that when she opened the door of the bathroom, Maki wouldn't have bolted to another room or hotel.

Nico stepped into the room and there was Maki, not even nervously sitting on one of the chairs, but curled up on the right side of the bed, nearest the door, snoring, her magazine fallen to the side. Nico stepped softly across the room, wool socks prickly, tucking Maki under the quilt, putting the magazine on the nightstand. Then Nico turned out the lamp and slid into bed, more than a full day's worth of weary.

###

Maki woke up, heart racing, room dark. Where was she? Oh, the hotel room. She wasn't in bed alone. Nico had joined her. Maki turned over, surprised by Nico's closeness, the warmth. When had Nico's arm snuck under her shoulders? How was someone as tiny as Nico taking up practically the entire bed?

Nico muttered something. Her arm moved. Maki rolled a little closer before she could tense and stop herself. Nico felt warm, and welcoming. Maki let tired talk her out of pushing herself away. This was nothing like when Ruby wanted to cling to her in the night, a child terrified by nightmares, needy and draining. Even asleep, in the dark, there was a draw, an allure radiating from Nico. Maki let herself lean into the comfort of strong, steady breathing. As Maki fell back into sleep's darkness, Nico pulled her closer and warmth wrapped them up.

A/N:

Yup, at least one more chapter than planned. So you know it's an official lonelypond/blinkkittylove production ; )

In other news, stay safe in the heat. And send positive vibes, we're packing up to move to a new apartment.

Thanks for reading.