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River was early. He stood outside the diner, nerves in a frenzy which was not normal for him at all. He was waiting to meet a special someone, a particular merc with whom he had a very big crush on…
River shook his head, remembering he was 30 years old. Crushes weren’t a thing. He had brewing feelings for her, and he was very nervous about them. He stood outside thinking maybe he should not pursue her, because why would she have interest in him? He was a cop and she was a merc who operated on the outskirts of the law.
But yet, he had invited her out for that beer he owed her, at this diner in Santo, one of his favorite spots. He was also a friend in need of a favor.
He spotted her Arch a few minutes, V’s dark pink hair flying in the wind, dark aviators and dark jacket to match. She smiled and waved at him when she entered the lot and rode to park next to his truck. She was next to him in minutes with that same smile. River couldn’t help but admire her, fitted tank tucked into cargo pants. She wore a black jacket and combat boots. He thought she looked stunning.
“’Sup copper, waitin’ long?” She reached out for a fist bump which he returned.
“Hey V, nah just got here a minute before you.” A lie, but she didn’t need to know.
“Cool. Glad you didn’t ghost me after last time.”
“No way, I owe you a beer.”
V snorted. “You owe me a couple.”
“I know and I may just owe you another one after you hear what I’ve got for you.”
“Uh oh. This what’s gotcha in a tizzy that ya needed to meet me urgently? Ya didn’t give much away in your texts.”
River waved his hand so V could head into the diner first. “Yeah, I’ll show you. But first, hope you’re hungry.”
“Starvin’. Been here before?” she asked on her way in.
“It’s one of my favorite spots. Has some of the best pancakes in NC.”
“Okay, I could use some grub, definitely.”
V felt a ghost of River’s hand gently on her lower back, guiding her in. A slight shiver went up her spine…. she liked it.
The diner was cute and cozy, reminding V of Tom’s diner near her place, but this one was much calmer. Living in the heart of NC meant life was fast paced, but out here was much more chill. V could see how the quieter side of NC really was something special, bringing out a different crowd of people…. families, friends, and those just trying to get through life without any drama.
Most booths seemed full, so V picked a spot up at the counter. River joined her side, being more than happy to sit close to V. River waved a hand at the worker who waved back. V watched the interaction and smiled lightly.
“Aha, you’re a regular here, aren’t ya.”
River offered a smile. “Correct, this was a spot I’d frequent when I was a rookie on patrol. Could get pancakes at any time of the day, any shift.”
“Ha nice. It’s cool here.” The waiter came over.
“Detective,” he said, setting menus down, “Hey new face! What can I get for ya? Something hot? Cold? Coffee? Liquor?”
V chuckled. “Hey, name’s V. I could use a cold one and I heard the pancakes here ‘re amazin’.”
“Ah yes great choice. Two orders?” River nodded. “Back in a jiffy!”
The two leaned towards each other, naturally finding their way closer. To River the proximity just reminded him that V was truly so attractive up close. “So, what’s up?” V asked first.
“Well. Since my stunt with Internal Affairs, you know my case selection is low. So, I’ve actually been cleaning up some old cases, one’s with no leads.”
“Nice, good idea. Revisiting old evidence?”
“Exactly. One case in particular I closed because our science division had a hard time deciphering some footage. I realized I know a pretty cool BD expert and I was hoping she’d help me crack it, maybe even crack the case.” Their beers arrived and they clinked them before each took a sip.
“Oh, sounds fun, ‘specially the part about the pretty cool BD expert. Heard she’s actually a badass who might be maxed out on cop favors.”
River smiled. “Damn, you’re going to make me beg huh.”
V broke eye contact and eyed her latest manicure, neon pink nails with black hearts, smirking. “Hmm I could.”
“Aw help your buddy out, you know you want to.”
“What do I get out of it?”
“Uh.” River hadn’t thought of that. “I…?”
V pointed her beer at him. “Hey, I’ve got a rep to keep up. Can’t keep hangin’ ‘round with a cop for fun.”
“I thought we were having fun. I thought we were friends.” River said teasingly. V kicked the bottom of the stool he was sitting on.
“Again, with the friends, ew, don’t wanna be friends with no cop- “
Suddenly – a loud commotion gripped their attention and led to the front door, seeing three goons with guns blazing enter the diner. V and River immediately went on defense mode, stiffening. V’s kiroshis immediately lit up, while River’s hand moved slowly to his iron on his hip. He wished V was sitting behind him now, but he’d do whatever in his power to protect her.
“Everyone listen up – this is a fuckin’ robbery! Mr. Slick behind the counter? Yeah, you! Shut the fuck up and put your hands where I can see ‘em!” The lead goon aimed at their waiter, whom V liked and it immediately pissed her off.
River was about to flash his badge but knew he was out numbered and the gonks could start making a mess of things. V could hear the rustle of his jacket behind her and slowly moved her left hand to rest on his knee and squeeze. She knew he’d try to play the hero, but he’d never seen her in action with gang scuffs before. A quick scan revealed the goons had no affiliation, and V realized she knew exactly how to scare them off.
“The rest of you – stay where you are and don’t fucking move a muscle! If I hear so much as a peep, you’ll be getting a side order of lead. We clear?”
The gun was now being aimed at the civilians, and this pissed V off even further, but she knew a hot head could make things worse so she took a deep breath, hand still firm on River’s knee.
“Wallets on the table! Keep your mouths shut and nobody gets hurt!”
The goon aimed the gun at a woman in a booth, whose tears flowed freely. V was immediately done with their shit.
“Somebody likes being the center of attention.” She spoke loud, firm.
The goon turned quick, gun being aimed at her now. Good, she knew she wanted it off the civilians. But she wasn’t prepared to feel River go super stiff behind her, and that worried her too. She could feel his breath hitch.
“What part of keeping your fucking mouth shut did you not understand?” He took a step closer, and River did not like how close the goon was to V. But he knew her hand on his knee was to make sure he didn’t make a crazy move, endangering others, “How about you go first? Hand over your wallet. Nice and easy.”
V snorted. “You’re givin’ me mixed signals here. How am I s’posed to dig into my pockets if my hands’re in the air?” she said sweetly. “Either I’m reachin’ for the ceiling or for my wallet. It’s one or the other.” Despite the danger, River was really digging the sassy, badass V in front of him.
The goon lowered his gun and brought his face close to V’s. River thought he was about to explode. “Think a sense of humor’s gonna get you outta this? You know who always dies first? Funny people…like you.” The gun was back in her face again. “Wallet with eddies. Now.”
V moved to lean back with both her elbows on the diner counter, opening the view in front of River. She flicked her eyes to him and then to the window. River caught on to the signal. “Where are your stars n’ stripes?”
“Fuck you talking about?”
“The army jacket 6th Streeters are always wearin’. Y’know, crew-cuts going around with EMP ‘nades, protecting people from the big, bad gangs. Surely you must with ‘em if you’re doing a stick up on their turf. No gang’d be stupid enough to just waltz in here with guns blazin’.”
River watched the scene and knew exactly what angle V was going to play. If they weren’t 6th Street, and the real 6th Street caught wind some gonks were doing stick ups around here…he was impressed to say the least.
A commotion in the window disturbed the scene, and the three goons realized one of said jacket wearing gangers was standing there, eyes lit up, clearly capturing footage, before running off.
The second guy got a little freaked out, suddenly lowering his gun and looking outside. “H-hey boss! I think I saw one of ‘em by the window! Coulda heard our shots!”
V crossed her legs and smirked. “Probably heard you yellin’ like a crazy ass too. ‘Member, they’re trained to detect any kind of disturbance.”
“I told you we shoulda gone to Coastview!”
The leader turned to yell at his mate. “Quiet you gonk piece o’ shit!” He turned to V again. “You bitch! You called them didn’t ya?!”
“Didn’t have to.”
“You’re some piece a work – wait. You’re…that merc…” the guy was up in V’s face again, and River was done with standing still. He brought his iron out quick, cocking it and pressing it against the guy’s temple. His badge was flashed in the other hand.
V smiled. “Gotcha.”
“Don’t you fucking move.” River said. The goon stiffened, hands immediately going up in defense.
“A fuckin’ badge?”
“Boss?! You know her?!”
“I-It’s the bitch that offed Jotaro!”
V smiled wider this time. “Boo.”
The three goons decided that was the end of it for them, and left the diner in a haste, screaming obscenities. V let out a breath she was holding, sitting up and scanning the diner to make sure everyone was okay. River was already in the middle of the room, holding up his badge.
“Ladies and gentlemen, I’m NCPD, and there will already be a patrol out to pick those goons up asap. Everyone okay?”
V admired him as he stood and spoke, natural in his element. V turned to ask the waiter if he was okay too.
“All good V, thanks. For years, nobody touches this place, and now this? Where’s 6th Street when you need ‘em?”
“I s’pose if NCPD don’t get them first, then 6th Street will follow right after.”
River joined V a few minutes later.
“Thank God you were here. Order whatever you want – it’s on the house!”
“That’s okay Mac, thanks, just doing our job.” River responded. The diner resumed its humming when River turned his full focus on V. He rested a hand gently on her shoulder. “You okay?”
“Never better.” But he didn’t look convinced. “What, you think a buncha stupid ass goons like that’ll scare me? Knew they had no gang ties when I scanned them, knew they were trespassin’ on this turf.”
“I could have flashed my badge, got them out quick.”
“Nah, you have too many ties with 6th treet, didn’t wanna mess that up.” The comment surprised River. “What?”
“How’d you know that?”
“Oh, come on, don’t tell me you didn’t look up my file after we did the whole Rhyne thing. Two can play at that game.”
“I didn’t.”
“Liar.” River didn’t respond, stumped. He didn’t want to admit to the object of his desires that yes, he had totally looked up her files. “’Zactly. I know you have a good rep in this turf, and you didn’t need three goons fuckin’ that up. If that had gone south, 6th Street woulda never let ya forget it.”
“Damn V.” It was true. His dad had long ties with 6th Street and for some reason, they always respected River because of it.
“I know, I’m the coolest.”
River laughed and dropped his hand on her shoulder, squeezing it gently. “I gotta say, that was pretty badass, sticking up to them like that.”
“Eh, I give my performance a B. I coulda done better.”
“How so?”
“Well, for starters, I coulda quickhacked them, made them all short circuit, but there’s a kid over in that booth an’ I didn’t wanna freak ‘im out.”
“Good thinking.”
“I coulda just ramped my augments up, taken them down, but I don’t have my gorilla arms in today.”
“Interesting.” River was in awe of V, how cool and collected she was.
“And Plan C…take ‘em down in a few shots. Know we were both carryin’. But there’s a cop in here, so…”
The two laughed. “I wouldn’t have arrested you if that’s what you’re insinuating.”
“Sure you wouldn’t have.”
The two laughed again when a couple NCPD officers walked in, one nodding at River. “I think you did great. Be right back.”
V nodded and turned her attention to Mac at the counter.
“You known ‘im long?” she asked the waiter.
“Pretty much his whole career. He used to come often as a rookie, working the graveyard shifts.”
“Nice.”
“But he hasn’t brought anyone else in a while though. Not since his partner.”
“Really?”
The waiter nodded. It piqued V’s interest but she really didn’t want to pry. She figured once he made detective, he no longer needed a partner.
She turned back to see River speaking to the other officers, natural in his element. As he spoke, he waved his hand and pointed around, clearly retelling the events that had occurred. When he turned and made eye contact with V, he offered her a small smile, then continuing his story. Something about it gave V slight butterflies…
Are we really parading around with this pig right now?
Hm, last time I checked it was still my body and my life, so I could do whatever the fuck I want
So, wasting time is what you want?
Honestly, fuck off, maybe I’m just enjoying whatever time I have left
River finally joined V a few minutes later.
“Sorry V.”
“Nah don’t be, you’re doing your thing. I’ve had worst dates.”
“Is this a date? Do tell.”
“Nope.” River laughed.
“You’re right, I can do better than this.”
“Hope so. ‘Sides, you’re s’posed to tell me ‘bout your crazy ex.”
“What?”
“Don’t act like you forgot – that’s the whole reason you owe me a beer in the first place, member? ‘I’ll tell ya about it over a beer sometime’. That’s what you said.” She sang the last part a bit.
“I owe you more than one beer, and it’s definitely for more than that.”
“Yeah, well cross that one off the list and fess up, cop. I’m dyin’ to know. Crazy lady like that, interestin’ type for a cop.”
“Yawen’s not my ex.”
“’Kay, and im really a rich corpo rollin’ in eddies who does merc shit for fun.”
River gave her a look then sighed. “Should we really be talking about exes?”
“Why not? We’re just a couple of buddies havin’ a beer. S’not a date.”
“Aha so we are friends.”
“Eh, for now.”
River took a sip of his beer. “I mean, we dated for a couple of months when she was just interning. Things were fine, I guess. Then I found out she cheated on her first med school exam….” V took a sip, watching River intently. “Suddenly she started to look different to me.”
“Like what?”
“A fake. That’s one thing I absolutely despise. Someone who isn’t real with me.”
V felt a stab of guilt hit her lower belly. It wasn’t like River knew she was lying to him, but she wasn’t comfortable telling him about the relic. She almost just wanted to pretend that she was just a girl, pining over a cute cop, and maybe things were different…
“Sorry.”
“Nah, you aren’t.”
V chuckled. “You’re right, I’m not considering she went psycho on us. I’m just glad she pulled through for Randy’s sake.”
River held up his beer for V to clink together. “Cheers to that.” They each took a sip after, and then Mac brought their pancakes over. V was pleasantly surprised at the golden stack of pancakes in front of her, covered in butter with a side of syrup. He also brought them a couple sides, bacon and some fruit.
“Okay, these smell amazing. Don’t think I’ve had pancakes in forever. Prolly since I was a kid.”
“Wait till you try ‘em.” River watched with excitement as V coated her pancakes in syrup and took a bite. She closed her eyes and smiled as she chewed, humming in appreciation. “Told you.”
“Life changin’.”
“I know.” River equally began to eat his meal. “Pancakes are just one of those things you can eat for any meal. Honestly.”
V nodded in agreeance. The two ate silently for a few minutes, enjoying their meal and company.
“What have you been up to?” he asked after a few bites.
Between bites she said, “The usual, merc stuff. Saw my friend Judy this week. We met on one of my gigs. She’s the tech guru who taught me how to edit BDs and set me up with the Peralez’s.”
“Nice, I’m definitely grateful for that.” V wondered which part…. their chance meeting or just the chance to use her for the BD?
“Mhm. And you? How’re Joss and the crew?”
River was touched that V always asked about his family. If it wasn’t for her, he may not have been able to save Randy and repair the relationship between him and Joss. He constantly reflected on that and realized that V was truly something special.
“All good, status quo. Randy’s doing well at the hospital.” After a beat he said, “…I actually just moved in with Joss, ended the lease on my apartment.”
“That’s noble of ya. Giving up your bachelor pad.”
River laughed and it made V smile. “It never really was.”
“’Cause you’re lame?” Both laughed again. “Lame-o” she sang.
“No, I let my work take over…and just never really had time for that. But I’ve always been hopeful that when it’s meant to be, it will happen.”
“I’m sure it will. But that’s nice of ya to move in with Joss.”
“Yeah, wasn’t a hard decision. My little studio apartment was just a lonely place to come to at the end of a shift.”
“Sounds like my place.”
The two exchanged a look of understanding. V sometimes wished she came home to someone who truly gave a fuck about her…but fate always had other plans.
“Least now I feel like I come to a warm home. And it lets me be close to the kids, help Joss out.”
“You’re a good man, River. I mean that.”
The two made eye contact again, and the energy was charged with something different, like the last few times they’d seen each other.
“You think so, V?”
V nodded. River was touched and didn’t know what to say. He rubbed the back of his neck. “Thanks.”
“Alright, don’t get all weird.”
“I’m not.”
“’Sides you gotta tell me ‘bout that case and BD.”
“Oh yeah, right.”
“And my payment.”
“Payment? Now you’re gonna charge me?”
V laughed. “Not charge. Noooooo. You’re gonna owe me.”
“What?”
She help up one finger in front of his face. “One favor. Never know when I might need it bein’ a merc. No questions asked, but when I need ya, game’s on.”
River thought it over for a minute, looking at the sincerity in V’s gaze. She hadn’t let him down yet, and he didn’t foresee her abusing this power.
“Deal.”
V raised her eyebrows. “Wow. No push back?”
River chuckled, sipping his beer. “No. I’ve got you. Promise.”
“Sweet. Thanks. So, the case?”
“I probably shouldn’t talk about it here. Want to come back to the trailer park? I’m sure Joss would be happy to see you.”
“Yeah, that sounds good.”
After they finished their meals, Mac covered their bills and they left without any further drama. The night was warm as they left the diner. V stretched her arms up and yawned happily. “That was delish, I’d def come back here.” V hoped River would take the hint.
“Glad you liked it.”
“Want me to follow you there?”
“Sure, sounds good.”
To mess with him, V unlocked his truck with her quick hacks before River had the chance to, flicking his lights a few times.
“What the- “
V was laughing obnoxiously as she ran over to her bike. “See ya there!” She started and revved her bike before River could even react.
He shook his head, dumbfounded, and then let a goofy smile hit his face. Fuck, he really, really liked her.
At the trailer park, the two pulled into Joss’s section at the same time. River was out his truck and waited for V to put down her kickstand, when he heard the trailer door open and small footsteps scurry over. V made sure to put her BD wreath in her jacket pocket.
“Uncle River!”
V watched the scene as two kids ran up the dirt path and into River’s waiting arms. He knelt, squeezing them tight, before ruffling both their heads. After a beat, they both realized V was standing behind him.
“Oh! You’re Uncle River’s friend! You came back!” the little girl said.
V knelt to join them. “Hey there, names V. What’re your names?”
“I’m Monique!”
“And I’m Dorian!”
“Did you come over to play with us and Uncle River, V?”
River chuckled. “Sorry guys. V and I have some business to attend to. Maybe another time.” The two adults were met with a chorus of ‘awws’. “Is your mom inside?” Monique nodded.
“Let’s go in together.” V offered out her hands to the kids, who were hesitant at first, but then happily each took one of V’s hands and led her inside. V turned to look back at River warily, but he was just laughing.
The four entered the trailer, Monique taking the lead and saying, “Mommy! Uncle River brought a friend!!!,” before they let go and both kids ran off to their room.
Joss was in the kitchen washing dishes, and when she looked up and made eye contact with V, the mug she was holding fell into the sink. In two steps, she dried her hands on her shirt and wrapped V into the tightest hug. V stood their awkwardly, not sure how to respond to such an action. She had never been the touchy, feely type.
“V I-I can’t believe you’re here….” Joss pulled back and gently took V’s hands into her own. “I have so much to thank you for.”
“Hey Joss, good to see ya. It was nothin’, really. It was all River.”
“But you helped and you didn’t even know us.” V could see the slight tears forming in Joss’ eyes.
“River helped me out. It was only fair I return the favor. That’s what friends do.”
The comment touched River.
“Still. I was so nasty to you, I’m so sorry.” Joss was crushing V into another hug, and this time V gently returned it, patting Joss lightly on the back.
“Trust me, I ain’t holdin’ nothing’ against ya. You had every right with what was happenin’.”
Joss pulled back and nodded. “Are you staying long? Can I make you a coffee?”
“Yeah, sounds preem. River and I are hangin’ out.” Joss gave River a look that was unreadable to V.
“Yup and V’s gonna help me with another case, a cold case this time.” River said, shedding his jacket and having a seat at the kitchen table. V couldn’t help but admire the way his taut muscles moved as he made his way over. River was built so differently than most of the guys in NC. He was all real muscle, no cyber implants.
“You’re going to have to start charging him soon, V.”
“I know, right?” And then V laughed huskily, making River swoon a bit inside.
Joss set about making a pot of coffee while V shed her jacket and joined River at the table.
“What have you been up to, Joss?” V asked politely.
River sat quietly and let the two women make conversation. Joss brought over three steaming mugs, joining the two at the table. Some time passed while the two chatted, the kids occasionally running through the halls or stopping to show V something. The two women got along well.
River was comfortable with the scene, and let his mind wander into other scenarios where maybe, V was a permanent fixture…
“River? Did you hear me?” Joss called out.
He woke up out of his reverie. “Huh?”
V snorted. “He’s day dreamin’ Joss. Prolly thinkin’ ‘bout his badge buddies.”
“Sorry, long day.”
“Come on little brother, get your head out the clouds,” Joss teased. “I’m gonna get the kids ready for bed so you and V can talk about that case.”
“Sounds good, thanks Joss.”
“I’ll find ya before I leave.” V told Joss as she got up. Finally, the two were alone and V turned her attention to the cute cop next to her. “You okay?”
River nodded. “Yeah sorry. I’m really not used to just…relaxing.”
“Gotta do it more oft’n then. Wanna tell me ‘bout that case?”
“Yeah, you got your wreath?”
V nodded and retrieved it from her jacket. River’s eyes lit up as he connected to her HUD, permissions still active. While her BD powered up, he let a few files flash into her view.
“Case is about a decade old, serial killer leaving bodies in his trail. Most of them ending up in bodies of water. He had a weird MO…always cut off a random body part. We narrowed it down to a couple suspects, and then one main guy who was near one of the scenes. We found this footage off a security cam near a pier but there’s a giant crowd and the footage is grainy. Other cases took priority and then nothing happened.” River took a sip of his coffee, finishing the last bits. “Main suspect’s name is Reginald Meyers. Here’s his pic.” The photo flashed on V’s HUD.
“He looks like a creep.” The suspect had a ragged scar that trailed down one whole side of his face.
“Don’t all bad guys do?” he replied, which made V chuckle.
V studied the files for a few minutes, still linked with River. She saw some of the crime scene photos, some news footage, and then landed on the suspect’s picture again.
“Send me the footage.”
River obliged and then V was running the video through the wreath. River watched, just as she had done before finding Randy, as she navigated different layers of the video.
The footage was grainy, simply just a busy street view with various people walking up and down the sidewalks. Off to the distance, a pier and body of water were visible. There was nothing major that stood out, just people walking through NC on a normal day. However, as crowded as the city was, there were just so many bodies walking up and down, it would be difficult to really pinpoint one face to the normal eye.
But not to V.
A minute passed when she said, “Got him.”
River felt goosebumps on his skin. “No way.”
“Yeah, look. ‘M like, ninety percent sure.” V zoomed in on one section of the sidewalk, bringing attention to one male walking. “The photo you sent me shows the dude has a scar. I looked for the same pixel pattern in the people walkin’ by.” To River’s amazement, he watched as V zoomed in and brightened the image, clearly showing a suspect that had the same discoloration on their face. “I can’t sharpen it though ‘cause its grainy…. hm. Lemme call Judy.”
“No V, don’t go crazy really- “
V was already on the line, their link still active.
“Calabacita, what’s up?” River chuckled at the nickname, which Judy heard. “Oh, excuse me are you with a guy?”
“Hey Judy, this is my friend River,” to which V flipped the video and River gave a soft wave. “Met him through the Peralez’s you set me up with. We worked the same case.”
“Tell him I said ‘sup.”
“We need your help quick if you gotta sec’?”
“You shooting a raunchy BD?”
“What, no!”
Judy laughed on the other line, flustering V and River who made eye contact and then looked away.
“Haha, ‘kay shoot.”
“I’m tryna’ edit this old BD, but I need somethin’ to sharpen up the feed ‘cause its grainy. You got any soft that can do that?”
“Yeah, think so. Hang on….” The room was silent till a PING! hit V’s HUD. “Lemme know if you got that alert. I sent you an add on.”
River watched the feed as V installed the software, updating the feed and then relaunching the video.
“Got it Jude.” V started to play with the settings, the feed getting brighter, then darker, sharper, then blurrier, and River was just amazed.
“That should be what you need.”
“You’re the best, thanks. I’ll talk to ya later?”
“Sure thing V, see ya.”
A minute passed and then River said, “She’s fun.”
“She’s a trip really.” She responded, then she shifter her focused back to the feed. “Alright let’s see what we can do here…” and before they knew it, V had gotten the zoomed in image of the suspect sharp, matching the face to the picture River had shown her. “There’s your guy.”
“Amazing. That at least gives us time and place. That could budge the higher ups to let me reopen it, maybe bring him in for questioning again.”
“All these years later? I’m sure his story will be different, if he hasn’t skipped town at this point, or flatlined.”
River sighed. V was right.
“But don’t worry I ain’t burstin’ your bubble. I got you, ‘member?” She reached out to clap a hand on his shoulder, then she went back to work, flipping through the layers of the BD. The audio wasn’t great because there was just way too much noise to localize anything. At least the visual feed was much better now. But then she started to flick around in the thermal layer. “Check this out.”
River had his full attention on V, honored with her commitment to help him. She was shifting in and out of the thermal layer, where it could be seen that there was a different discoloration on the feet of the suspect, versus everyone else around. “You see that?” she asked.
“I do. But what do cold feet have to do with murder? If anything, he definitely didn’t have that.”
V stayed quiet, thinking. Then she said, “Didn’t ya say the bodies were being found by water?”
River nodded slowly, thinking. Then, a lightbulb went off. “Fuck.”
“Got it?”
“His feet are wet.”
“Yup.”
V looked over at River and watched him click it all together in his head. Cleary the suspect was putzing around in some water, and that was enough to place him at the scene. Then River smiled brightly at her, and V wanted that smile to always be directed at her.
“Fuck V, you really are the best!“
“Oh, I know it.” And she laughed huskily.
V transferred the video files over to River and then shut her BD wreath down. She leaned back in her seat and sighed deeply.
“I really appreciate you V.”
And in a moment of gratitude for a real, genuine person, V responded, “I appreciate you too.”
She really did. She enjoyed the genuine, kind person that he seemed to be. She enjoyed how real he was, and how he had been able to overcome such odds and push forward another day.
A beat passed and then River, ever so slightly, leaned to move closer to V. He was going to put his arm around her shoulders when Joss’s footsteps could be heard close in the hall, and both straightened up.
“Kids are asleep! You guys do your thing?”
River nodded. “Yup, V cracked it.”
“Wow V. You ever considered joining the force with River?”
V cracked up. “Hell no. River’s a pain in the ass.”
“I second that.”
“Wow, I’m right here.”
V reached over to grab River’s shoulder. “We know and we don’t care.” River reached his hand across his chest to lay it on hers before she could take it off his shoulder. He squeezed gently and smiled.
Joss cleared her throat, startling the two out of their day dream. V shrugged out of River’s grasp and made her way out of the table.
“Well guys, its been real but a girl needs her sleep.”
“Already V?” Joss said. “I’ve got some vodka if you want an adult drink. I’ve got more than juice boxes here, promise.” V chuckled.
“Thanks Joss, I’ll deff take up on that offer another time.”
“Sounds good.”
River stood too, following V. “I’ll uh, walk you out.”
“’Kay.”
V and Joss hugged quickly as she left the trailer, with a promise to see each other again soon. She walked out, followed dotingly by River behind her. The night was still warm as she walked to where their parked vehicles were.
“Well, I don’t know about you, but I had fun today.”
“Fun? Being part of a stick up is your idea of fun?”
V laughed. “Hell yeah, don’t you like a little excitement? Shake your circuits up?”
“I do, but not like that.”
“Yeah, you just get off on following the law, or whatever.”
It was River’s turn to laugh. “You know that’s not true, since I broke the law with you many times.”
V crossed her arms, smirking. “That’s ‘cause you like breaking the law with me.”
River decided to man up, show a little charm. If he was going to keep pining after V, he had better step it up. He stepped forward, bringing him as close as possible to V without touching her. With a smirk, he softened his gaze and said, “Maybe I do.”
V was so used to teasing and joking, but she didn’t think River would respond the way he did. Nor did she think that his closeness would light a spark in her belly. Their eye contact was deep, intense, and V couldn’t help but flicker her eyes down to his lips and back. It had been so long since she’d been with someone who made her feel this way…
But two could play at that game.
Carefully, she reached out her hand to the bottom of his neck, to trail her fingers down the length of his chain. When they reached the feathers, she twinkled them in her fingertips.
She dropped her eyes to them and said, “Think I like breakin’ the law with you too.”
River felt like he was going to ignite in flames.
But in typical V fashion, she let go and bumped River on the shoulder. “Gonna get out of here.”
“Wait.” He spoke. V gracefully climbed onto her bike, zipping her jacket closed to keep her warm from the wind. Before she could start her bike, River said, “V.”
“Yeah?”
“Can I see you again?”
“’Course. You still owe me multiple beers. I plan to cash out on all of them.”
“Awesome. Maybe next time without any crazy interruptions.”
“Think I’d like that. And no cold cases. Also, don’t forget about that favor.”
River nodded. “Deal.”
“Talk soon.”
V started her bike up and left with a wave, River mirroring the action. As she went out of his vision, he couldn’t help but feel the goofy smile hit his face. He really liked her, more than what hit the surface. Night City had its ways of bringing people together, and River truly felt that destiny was at play here. Why else would he meet such a badass beauty, one who could keep up with him, and not fall for her?
He was not going to let this go. It was time he started living his life again, for his sake, and those around him.
River really hoped V would cash in that favor soon.