Avocados

Disclaimer: Idea that came to me thanks in part to Youtube videos. Essentially, not having anything for him in Night City anymore aside from Mama Welles and Vik after getting the cure, V took the offer from Reed to join up at Langley. Though when I've thought about this idea, for some reason I can hear Casper Van Dien's voice for V in it.

Summary: Its been years but thanks to the Raffen Shiv, V's re-united with some old friends.

It'd been almost two weeks since V and his ten man team had joined up with the Bright Clan of the Aldecaldos to help provide protection detail to the Clan as they traveled to Nebraska to meet with the other Nations to discuss the growing threat of the Raffen Shiv. As the Raffen were making some serious attempts at expansion to grow their numbers and gain more territory. Though what none of the Bright Clan aside from Saul knew is who exactly the leader of the ten man team was as V himself wanted to have easier relations with the man. Which thankfully worked as he was willing to listen to him while choosing to stay out of any potential situations that might arise if and when V's identity was discovered. Fate would decide to intervene however as they neared the border between Colorado and Nebraska thanks to an attack on the Clan by a group of the Raffen. Leading to Panam and the rest of the Bright Clan aside from Saul to discover they'd been riding around with V for the past two weeks. Leading to a very tense situation to occur and for V to tell his team to not interfere no matter what.

A lot of yelling between V and Panam Palmer would end up happening as she was none too shy about telling him how she felt. Yelling that finally allowed V to get a chance to explain himself and why he'd just up and disappeared without meaning too all those years ago. Things after that got a little less tense and some of those old wounds slowly began to heal. Even if Panam was keeping her distance there while V and his team continued on their mission to help get the Bright Clan to Nebraska. Unfortunately however, a massive storm would force the group to stop at an old base until it stopped several days after arriving in Nebraska. "Hey, umm… Do you know where V is?" Wondered Panam a few hours after they'd settled into the base to wait out the storm to one of his men.

Mitch had about kicked her in the ass to finally talk to the man she'd fallen for so long ago and still felt something for as he'd been tired of her wasting time and being a scaredy cat about the whole thing. Which had gotten him the finger but not that it phased him any! "Yeah, he's up in the Splash right now."

So called as something of an homage to the Captain's old friend and brother in all but blood, one Jackie Welles. "Oh, thank you."

Bowman nodded as she went on to find where the Splash was currently parked and took a deep breath once she caught sight of it. And as she neared it, she heard V's voice. "JAQUELINE SO MI WELLES! You know better'n to go around punchin' other kids in the face!"

"But Papi! He was being a jerk!" Came a girl's voice and Panam's eyes widened as this was the last thing she'd expected!

Taking another deep breath, Panam pressed onward as the conversation continued. "Papi, who's the pretty lady?"

"Don't try and change the subject my little Songbird." Replied the man firmly.

"But Papi, I'm not! There really is a pretty lady behind you!"

Eyes widening, V turned around and saw Panam and she waved back weakly. "I… I umm…"

"Kiddo, this is Panam Palmer, co-leader of the Bright Aldecaldo Clan!" Declared V much to the woman's surprise as he turned around to address his daughter on the screen.

"Why would she lead a piece of food?"

Her question caused V to roar with laughter and seeing as how he was going to be useless due to that, an amused Panam spoke up. "Oh sweetheart, you're thinking of an Avocado! That's a really different thing."

"Oh! Okay! Are you gonna be daddy's wife? Abuela's always sayin' that Papi needs one in his life." Came the innocent question and making Panam's eyes widen in shock as again, she wasn't expecting something like this while V's laughing finally died down!

An older woman came into view at that point with a stern expression on her face and a hint of amusement in her eyes. "Now Nieta, you are the one in trouble here, no need to get me in trouble too!"

Wiping away tears from his eyes and getting up while holding his stomach, V addressed his daughter. "Sweetheart, Panam and I are just old friends is all. Ones who hadn't seen one another in a long while until recently." Explained the man gently to his only daughter while Panam felt a sense of relief over him referring to them as friends.

As it was better than nothing given how life had gone for them… Making her wish she had been willing back then to talk to him so he could explain. Knowing that Mitch felt the same way as well from some talks of theirs. V would talk to his daughter and Mama Welles a bit longer before it was time for his kid to get into bed, leaving things quiet between the two friends after. "So, what brings you to my humble ride?"

"Oh! Umm… To talk, to you. To apologize." Stumbled the woman in an off guard manner.

She'd be further caught off guard when V up and hugged her before pulling back a bit and looking her in the eyes. "Nothin' to apologize for, Panam. Its all in the past now."

"But… Just like that?"

"Too much time's been wasted so why waste more?" He pointed out reasonably and well, Panam could get behind that.

Even if she did start to tear up, prompting him to hold her close and she'd cry against him as he held her in his arms. Wishing yet again that things had been so different for him and Panam. Guess this is my second chance. Even if it is possibly only friendship I'll get with her.

It was better than nothing however.

Author's Notes: I was going to originally name the vehicle the 'Esoterica' but after a bit, that didn't feel right to do. So I went with what I did go with. And no, Songbird is not his daughter's mother.