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River was visibly exhausted. He rubbed his thumb against his temple, a strong headache coming on.
He was surrounded by all different kinds of NCPD. Commotion was going on everywhere, police tape, lots of noise, the works - but damn he just wanted to go home. It had been a long couple of shifts he had been pulling.
Impala Automatics was a busy scene…for a company that was in evictions status for unpaid rent….
When NCPD arrived on scene, they were attacked by mechs and Arasaka goons, which immediately alerted that something illegal was brewing. The mechs were taken down, and most of the goons escaped except two. River was lucky this amount of excitement came out of an evictions notice.
Two crew members in overalls sat on the sidewalk, handcuffed. River was writing something on his notepad (yes he was still old fashioned) when he got a ping on his holo. A text. He almost swiped it away, but saw it was from one particular merc he knew…He looked around before opening it on his HUD. A quick peek wouldn’t hurt right?
Who do you think did it?
It took a second for River to realize the implications of the text. He switched off the HUD, and began to casually look around the crime scene. It made him just a bit excited. But he made no leeway scoping V out.
>>Did what?
Hid the weapon info.
>>There’s weapon info?
Why’d ya think they ran like crazy?
>>Must be hiding something
Yeah - ask him ‘bout project ‘Nightingale’
>>They haven’t talked all this time.
Try it.
Another scan of the area resulted in no V in the immediate vicinity. Nothing on the rooftops, nothing on the streets… River blamed his basic tech cyber eyes. He mulled the decision over before turning to the two crew members on the ground. He knew V would never steer him wrong.
“You.”
The skinny guy straightened visibly.
“Nightingale. What can you tell me about it?” The crew member freaked.
“Fuck am I supposed to know?! Don’t know what you’re talking about!!”
“You sure? ‘Cause it seems like you’re tied up in it somehow.”
“Nah man no way! I don’t know nothing about that weapon!”
River smirked. “Who said it was a weapon?”
V watched from her secret hiding place as chaos unfolded at the crime scene, with units combing the place again. She watched River in his element, tall and broad shoulders, firm in his looks and orders. He controlled the scene with ease and experience. She couldn’t help but appreciate how attractive he looked all serious… She got a ping on her holo a few minutes later.
>>No weapon plans here though.
Already took ‘em 😊
The text jerked River upright, scanning the scene again. Fuck, V was here all this time? That meant she had seen NCPD roll up, had seen when the goons were caught. She must have been in the area. Had she seen him too? He chuckled. Damn, she was good.
>>You wouldn’t mind giving them to me, would ya?
Noooope. Contract’s closed.
Damn, she was too good. He could have been upset she had them, but it was V and he held a soft spot for her. River knew it was time to wrap up the scene and get a move on. He was sure that the plans for ‘Nightingale’ would be out again in Night City somewhere.
As the last units packed up and left the scene, River finished writing his final thoughts on his notepad as he walked to his truck. He liked to park a distance away so he wasn’t mucked up with the crime scenes. He slowed his walk as he approached when he noticed a figure in his passenger seat. He almost had his hand on his firearm, when he saw legs on the dashboard connected to one very attractive merc he knew.
River realized V had been chilling in his truck all this time. His shoulders slumped and he let out another chuckle. He opened the door and she looked at him with a brilliant smile. V sat with her legs crossed on the dash, wearing high-top sneakers and dark blue jeans. She had on a printed tee with a dark grey bomber jacket, sitting with her hands in the pockets, waiting for him.
‘Jesus V. Didn’t know you were this desperate for the badge’s dick.’
‘Fuck off, Johnny.’
“Well, if it isn’t V.”
“Oh hey, I was just walking through the neighborhood and figure I’d take a break in this totally random car.” V said with a mischievous smile.
“How’d you even get in? Now I have to change my locks.”
“So, change them. I’ll still get in.”
River settled in the driver’s seat, turning the car on. He reached over and V’s heart skipped a beat as she thought he was going to touch her, put his hand on her thigh, maybe –
He pushed her feet of the dash, knocking her off balance. “Rude!” she yelled, but River was just laughing. V adjusted in the seat.
“So.” He said, “Were you a passerby or were you involved?”
“Wow you thought I was involved, double rude.” River was chuckling again, and realized he felt much lighter than he had in the past few hours. He buckled himself in and turned to V.
“You hitching a ride?”
“I could. Want me to?”
River looked over at V and decided to seize the day. Truth is, he’d been missing the merc a bit. It had been a real good time solving crime with her and they’d only been keeping in touch with texts here and there. V had even sent him a selfie the other day and he was almost ashamed that he immediately saved it and found himself checking his gallery quite often… He’d been meaning to reach out more, but between Joss, Randy, and the NCPD, he hadn’t found time to. Her presence had been really good for him.
He shifted into gear and began to drive away. “Hell yeah I do. Got some time for a quick bite if you’re interested?”
“Sounds preem. I’m actually starvin’.”
River nodded and took off, the pair settling into a comfortable silence. V looked in the rearview to see Johnny materialize in the back seat, sitting sideways. He did a hand motion of a blowjob at her.
‘Bet his dick is bigger than yours.’
Johnny flipped V the bird and she squinted her eyes at him. V broke the silence first.
“So, how the hell are ya? Been a bit since we linked up.”
“I know, sorry. Between the family and work I’ve been a bit caught up. Been meaning to see you.”
“Hope so. Thought you forgot about me.”
“You? Never.” River reached out to give a light squeeze to her shoulder. V decided she liked the warmth of his touch. In the backseat, Johnny made a fake throw up noise.
“You still owe me a beer.”
“I owe you more than one. I’m gonna make good on that.”
V hummed in agreeance. “How’s Randy? Any mention of him going home yet?”
River nodded. “He’s doing really great, responding well to treatment. Hoping if things continue that way he’ll be home in another week or so.”
“That’s great River.”
“Mhm.”
“And the rest of the Ward crew?”
“They’re doing well too. Joss is keeping things united, and she and I are better than ever.”
“Good.”
“And you V? Been feeling okay I hope?”
She forgot that she had had a relic malfunction in front of him once during their Edgewood mission. She had made up an excuse but he was ever perceptive – he was a cop after all.
V nodded. “Yeah all good. Been runnin’ some gigs here and there. Staying out of trouble.”
River snorted. “I doubt that but okay.” V shoved him in the arm which made them both laugh. Johnny made another mental groan in the background.
V took a minute to observe River, watching the way he drove and comparing it to the first few times they had worked together. He had usually been firm and stiff, but today he seemed just a bit more relaxed.
He glanced at V when he felt the heat of her gaze. “What are you starin’ at me for?”
Caught. V brushed it off with a laugh. “You look good. Refreshed. Different then when we first met.” River wanted to interpret that ‘good’ just a little differently. Maybe she meant he looked good, like good-
“Like you got some sleep or….got laid or somethin’.”
River laughed, and his deep chest rumbling made V chuckle too. “Definitely one of those, but not both.”
“Oh, so who’s the lucky lady?” V hoped her joke didn’t have any truth behind it. A slight pang of jealousy coursed through her.
River shook his head. “You know what I meant. Definitely getting some better sleep these days. Family’s back together, Randy is safe. I’m learning more about the truth of my job.” The jealousy slowly receded and was replaced with relief.
V nodded. “A good combo.”
At a red light, River looked over to look at V. The eye contact made her heart jump a bit. She kept it calm and cool on the surface. “And I got you now, too.”
V smiled. “What, we’re chooms now?”
“I think so.”
“Nah, I don’t like cops, remember?.” River chuckled, pulling his truck into Chubby Buffalo. V had a feeling he’d go there. “This place again?”
“It’s close and quick.”
“Is that normally your criteria for a date?” River choked on his own spit.
“Date?”
“Chillax I’m just messin’ with ya.” V got out the car leaving River in a wake of embarrassment. He got out of the car quick to join her. Johnny had phased away but she could hear him in the back of her mind.
‘Really V, you’re gonna fucking make me sit through the two of ya playing googly eyes? I’d rather take a fork to my eyes.’
‘Get over it. He ain’t that bad.’
‘That’s what all girls say when a pig wants in their pants’
The two grabbed a booth in the back, shedding jackets and settling comfortably together. A waitress took their order.
“So, you didn’t answer my question before.” River asked when the waitress was gone and the two were left alone.
“Which one, Riv?” Oh, how the nickname drove him crazy.
“Were you a passerby or involved?”
“I had a gig there. Just so happens when I get there, place is swarmin’ with NCPD. Imagine my surprise when I recognize on of ‘em.”
“Didn’t stop you though.”
“Nah, gotta make those eddies. Gig was just to sneak in and steal the plans, if I found ‘em. I wasn’t gonna mess with your guys. I was in and out clean before you even had those two roped up.”
“Wow honorable.”
“Hey, sometimes I actually help the boys in blue.”
River sipped his NiCola. “Liar.”
“Honest. Sometimes if there’s some gang shit going on an’ I see ‘em all being over powered, I step in, lay a buncha shots out, you know? I have a police scanner up here too.” V pointed at her temple.
River’s brow raised, as he was taken back by the comment. This merc before him continued to amaze him the longer he knew her. “Really?” V nodded. “No way.”
“Scouts honor.” She held one hand to her forehead and River chuckled. But he knew she wouldn’t lie. She was an honest force to be reckoned with.
River smiled at her. “You know, you could make a fine cop, V.”
She threw her head back in laughter, and he enjoyed her husky voice when she said, “Uh no, fuck the police.”
“Ouch.” River feigned a pain in his chest, holding his hand to it. He chuckled and suddenly wished her statement had a different meaning…he was slowly acknowledging his need to stay connected to her was a deep-rooted attraction. V stuck her tongue out at him.
Their food arrived and they began to chow down, making small talk.
“Damn I was hungry. Anyways, speaking of the popo.” She took another bite of her burger. “How’re things with NCPD? You shakin’ things up yet?”
V was talking about taking Han to Internal Affairs. It was his solo crusade he had taken upon himself before Edgewood. He was lucky he had gotten reinstated after that episode of his life. “Well, I took the complaint up as far as I could. Told me they’d review the case and let me know….well here I am. Still waiting. Somehow, been getting all these low-level cases though, keeping me away from big picture things. Didn’t believe them when an eviction notice landed on my desk today.”
V took in the way River’s shoulders sagged, the way a genuine disappointment settled amongst his features. She reached out to touch her fingertips to the top of his chrome hand. “River…that’s fucked up.”
River looked at their touching hands. He wished he didn’t have the cyber tech so he could feel her skin normally. The cyber sensors were great, but not high level. “Guess I knew it was coming. Been feeling the NCPD hit more of the wayside every day.”
“I’m really sorry.” The touch turned into a squeeze of his hand, before she pulled it back. River wanted more of it.
“Are you?”
“Course River. Cop or not, believing in your people and them lettin’ you down is somethin’ no one wants to go through.” River looked at V thoughtfully. He was surprised to hear her say something like that. “I’ve been on that side before.”
“Have you?”
“Yup. Why do you think I became a merc’?”
“Don’t know. Why don’t you tell me?”
“Ha, no. Chubby Buffalo isn’t the type of date for spillin’ life secrets.”
“Thought you said this wasn’t a date?” Caught again. Had she said that? Shit.
“You know what I mean.” She teased, suddenly finding her fries way more interesting than River.
“I don’t.” He said smirking. “I think you want this to be a date. That why you stalked me at that crime scene?” He ducked when a fry flew towards his head, laughing it off. “I’m kidding, god, relax.”
“First of all, I don’t stalk and second of all if you’re gonna run your mouth like that then take me somewhere nicer next time, detective.” She was smiling mirthfully, but River really liked way she called him detective and suddenly felt like his pants were just a tad bit tight.
“I will then.”
“Good.”
The two maintained a strong eye contact and suddenly the tension shifted. V licked some ketchup off her lips and watched in satisfaction as River’s eye did not stray from the motion, nor did she miss the visible gulp he did. Aha, so she did have some kind of effect on him. She shivered feeling the power.
‘Get a grip V, Jesus. Or better yet, a room so you two can just bang it out already.’ Johnny said in the distance.
“’Nother round of NiCola’s here?” the waitress came by, startling both out of their slightly lust fueled stare down.
“Yes please,” River responded.
V shook it off and decided to keep it in her pants for another day. This man in front of her was so attractive, so damn different from any other gonk she had dated before.
“Anyways,” she started to say while they finished their meals. “What’re you gonna do?”
“With what?”
“Your job. You can’t stay there if that shit continues. It’ll make ya lose your mind.”
River thought carefully for a minute, looking out the window and chewing. V allowed herself to rake her eyes over the way his tight navy t-shirt clung to his body, outlining shoulder muscles, arms…his feather necklace glinted nicely in the light.
“I don’t know. I’m trying to hold onto any hope I can, but I feel like I’m gonna give out soon.”
V nodded. Then she said, “So quit.”
The comment almost startled River. “Quit?”
“Yeah, leave the force. Fuck it.”
V had shrugged her shoulders and was dumping some ketchup on her tray. River watched the way she swirled the French fry in it and take a bite.
“Even if I did, what would I even do after?”
“Whatever you want. You could…become a body guard. Or a bouncer? Guard the Afterlife like Emmerick?”
River shrugged. V didn’t want the conversation to go sour, so she decided to lighten the mood.
“Oh! You could become a merc, like me.”
“What?” he chuckled. V was laughing too but she got the words out.
“C’mon, join the dark side, it’s fun here.”
“And be with you, crazy woman? No thanks.”
“Pays niiiice and on Wednesdays we wear pink.”
The two were laughing again and V had felt a little lighter than she had in a while. Being with River like this was….easy.
“I don’t know, V. Being a cop was all I wanted growing up.” But River did not pass up on the thought of being in the mercenary world with V. In any case, maybe if they worked gigs together it would mean they could spend more time together. It was a weighted thought that caught him off guard, just realizing he wanted to be close with V.
V pointed a fry at him, “But times have changed. I know you wanted to be the hero, but you can still be the hero in other ways. I’m serious.”
River had finished his burger and was wiping his hands on a napkin. When he looked up, V had her hands draped on top of each other and she was looking at him with full attention. He realized the joking layer was gone and had been replaced with her truly trying to console him and offer words of advice.
“It’s definitely something to consider. Thanks V.”
“No problem River.”
The waitress came over to bring the bill and River was quick to flash his eyes and pay the transaction. As they shrugged their jackets on, V said, “I coulda paid my half.”
“Just being a gentleman.”
“Nah you don’t know how to do that.”
He reached out to shove her in the shoulder again, making them both laugh. They walked out together and towards River’s truck, and he said, “Can I drop you off somewhere?”
“Nah I’m good. Called the AI on my bike. Should be here – “ a horn in the parking lot caught her attention. “Oh, it’s here, perfect.”
River’s shoulders sagged in disappointment, which V definitely noticed. He was hoping for another car ride and to spend more time with V. She offered a smile when he said, “Alright then.”
The two stood face to face next to the Thornton, a comfortable silence falling between them. V had her hands in her jacket pockets while River leaned against his driver door.
“Well, this was unexpected, but fun, V.”
“Title of your sex tape?”
A laugh rippled through both of them. “Alright miss Brooklyn Nine Nine.”
“It’s actually one of my favorite shows.”
“Surprising, considering you hate cops.” River responded, rubbing the back of his neck.
“Yeah, but they aren’t real cops, S’why it’s funny. Sounds like you watch it too though.” V said pointing at him.
“I catch it sometimes when it’s on. Good show.”
“It is.” Then she decided to take a chance and say, “Maybe we can watch it together sometime? Over that beer?”
River nodded. “I’d like that.”
“Good. And you still owe me a date anyways. Guess that’s two you owe me now.”
“I know. I’ll start planning.” River reached out to gingerly touch the top of her shoulder. “I’m really glad I got to see you today. Definitely made it better.”
V stilled, keeping her stammering heart under control as best as she could. “I’m glad I got to see ya too.” She took in his soft features, the way his grin made his eyes wrinkle.
What was the play here? Could she hug him? She certainly wanted to. She still remembered the way his hands felt when he saved her from that spiked BD. How he had touched her face, arms, legs, settling next to her to make sure she was okay. But now V wondered what those same arms felt like with her wrapped inside them…
‘Here’s to hoping I get out of here before I have to sit through any of those dates.’
‘Nooooooooo come along. I love to have a terrible narrator talkin’ up every aspect of my life these days.’
‘These days you don’t even have time to waste V.’
‘I know Johnny.’
It was true and she knew it, but damn, if she was dying at least her last days would be filled with good memories with good people. Right? Or should she spare River that dread?
With regret, River pulled his hand away, crossing his arms and leaning against his truck. “Alright then, see ya V. Be safe out there.”
“You too detective.” Oh, he really enjoyed the way it sounded off her lips. “Bye River.”
Reluctantly and with a wave, V turned around and headed towards her arch. Something about the walk made her take long strides and swing her hips with a little added effort. She could still feel the flush on her cheeks, but tried to keep it under wraps.
‘The badge is 10000% checking out your ass V.’
‘Hope so.’
‘God you’re worse than the groupies from my tours.’
’Oh yeah? Then fucking watch this.’
As she got to the bike, she turned abruptly, startling River who was still staring at V walk away. “River!”
“Yeah?”
V swung a leg over the bike gracefully, settling on top of it and arching her back just slightly. She knew it made her ass pop. “Call me.” She yelled over with the sultriest look she could muster. She winked at him. Then she revved up her bike loud, blasting the Principales station and pulling out of the parking lot in a dash.
River could do nothing but stay leaning against his truck, really not wanting to move. He watched V for as long as he could until she was completely out of his field of vision. Truth was, his own heart was stammering wildly as he watched the merc leave. He was left standing there with empty feelings, already missing the pink haired woman. She was strong and beautiful, sassy but with an edge. It was the type of frequency he felt could match his own, and he hadn’t felt that since his last liaison, years ago.
It had been there in the same parking lot where his relationship with her had gone from random acquaintances, to someone he could really count on. Solving the murder of Rhyne had been done in days’ time flat, and her street smarts were incomparable to basic badge knowledge. River reflected on the fact that while gathering his info together for the case against Han, he had curiously looked into the mercenary known as V, and was truly impressed with her track record. Not only was she strong, caring, but she was really good at what she did.
V really was a force to be reckoned with. But River was ready to take on the challenge. He wanted her and he did nothing to deny it to his own self. Maybe fate was finally playing into his hand.
He ran his organic hand over his face and got into his truck. As he left the parking lot, he began to think of all the nice places in NC that he could take V on a proper date to.
There was no way he was going to let more time pass without seeing her again soon. River wasn’t sure he could bear it….unless she didn’t want him. He shoved that thought away as soon as it came out.
He pulled up his HUD to shoot a text once he got back to his precinct.
>>It was really nice to see you today, V
You too, Thanks for the grub 😊
>>You’re welcome. I’ll call you later, okay?
You better.