I. A New Beginning

Jager could tell just by the way the mid-morning sunlight shone through his tiny apartments' window that it was going to be a long day. He swept a hand through his dark hair before pulling on some clean clothes. Tugging the latch on the small window he slid it open. With one long leg out the fourth story window he struggled to fit onto the tiny fire escape. It was a struggle, but he finally maneauvered onto it without falling. ((it's a VERY small window, he's six feet tall...)) Climbing out onto the roof Jager pushed the window closed with his foot.

Sitting on the front of the flat roof, his legs dangling over the side he Jager listened. Hearing nothing at all he continued looking around.

"Why is it silence never means peace and tranquility?" he let out a sigh. "Silence before the storm I suppose...." he muttered bitterly to himself. Hearing rapidly approaching footfalls he looked down. What he saw was quite out of the ordonairy, a young woman was being chased down the street by a gang of burly young men. She ran into an alleyway, a shrill scream immeadiately following.

II. The Funny Thing With Endings Is...

"Get away from me!" Hallia Shreiked as they drew closer. "I don't know who you are or what you want but you aren't getting it from me!" A tall boy laughed.

"If you must know, I am Goburi, and these are my associates...." he named off everyone in the group, or so it seemed. He paused, grabbing a dark haired boy by the collar he thrust him forward. "And of course we can't forget Alexis...." The name was obviously was intended as an insult, but 'Alexis' merely rolled his eyes.

"Alex, the name is Alex...Halfwit....Can't remember a simple name.." He winked at her as he stepped back behind the boys. Goburi smirked, ignoring Alexs' comment.

"Well now that we all know each other, I think it's time you came with us..." Hallia glared at him.

"Are you deaf? I'm not going anywhere or doing anything with you or your band of idiots!"

"He's not hard of hearing, he just has a thick skull....." Goburi whirled around.

"Who said that?" Alex slipped in between Goburi and Hallia.

"I did." Goburi turned, only to be met by Alexs' heel in his jaw. He staggered forward before what had happened sank in, as he turned again Alexs' fist hit his jaw, follwed by a kick in the chest. "Is this sad, or is this sad?" Alex asked, knocking a wirey boy to the ground. Hallia kicked a boy who was preparing to go after Alex, he slammed into the wall.

"Quite sad....De-" Thwack! They both sank their soles into their oppressors. "Depressing really..." This continued until everyone was either unconcious, or had run. Alex smiled.

"You alright?" She nodded.

"You?"

"A little winded but other than that I'm fine..." She breathed a sigh, leaning against the wall.

"Ditto...Alex?" He cast a glance her way.

"Yeah?"

"Thanks... Without you..." she trailed off, not wanting to think about it. He grinned.

"You would have been fine..." She shook her head.

"I never would have had the nerve..." A look of pleasure spread across his face. "It's true..." He shook his head, his eyes focused intenedly on his shoes. "Thank you..." He nodded.

"Anytime..." There were a few moments of silence. "So.... What now?" She raised an eyebrow.

"Huh?"

"Well you didn't actually think I was just going to leave you here did you? And it's obvious that you can't go home, that's where we started chasing you..." She bit her lip, he merely shrugged, not looking nearly as uncomfortable as he had before. "It's alright... It's just a lot to take in... Don't worry about it..." Even though now he was virtually expressionless, his eyes were smiling. The deep blue reflected the sunlight in the form of bright green flecks. She sighed, wrapping Alex, a boy she had met less than an hour before in a hug.

"Thank you...." She whispered. "For standing up for me, being so understanding, and for putting up with me...." He laughed, his strong arms around her.

"You're welcome, I consider it a privellage.." She laughed.

"Yeah...Having to listen to me...A privellage...Right...." He nodded.

"Yeah, right." A dark figure dropped skillfully from above, landing in the crouched position of a cat he remained cloaked in the shadows. Releasing Hallia, Alex turned towards the figure, unsure what he'd find. "Who are you?" Alex asked, hoping that he sounded more confident than he was. A harsh laugh escaped the figure as he stood upright.

"How quickly we forget...." He stepped out of the shadows, in the light he appeared to be a man in his late thirtys with copper-colored hair. His eyes were like charcoal, dark... Emotionless.... Alex took a breath.

"I don't know you." He said, though recognition sprang from his words.

"You don't know me Lex? What a pity... I remember you... Agitating little whelp..." Alex smirked.

"Maybe you do know me..." The figure did not appear amused.

"Clever... Always were a clever little thing... That silver tongue of yours..." Alex glared at him.

"So what do you want now Cuprum? I'm not in the mood to toy with your mind, it's not worth the time, so would you state your business and leave?" 'Cuprum' gesutred towards Hallia.

"She's our business...." Alex quirked a brow.

"Our?" He was grabbed from behind, two large hands binding his wrists together. He was flung to the side, hitting a garbage can he winced, it felt more like he'd been hit by a truck. Righting himself he saw another man, only this one was about four times his size.

"Our." Cuprum said with a smirk. Hallia slowly moved closer to the mouth of the alleyway, she didn't know who these guys were, but it was obvious that Alex couldn't handle them alone, and she certainly wasen't going to be able to do anything... Alex got up slowly, unsure of how to react. Cuprum on his own was trouble... But with a big guy to do all his dirty work....

"Why do you want her?" Alex asked, trying to draw their attention.

"I don't think that's any of your business..."

"When you're messing with anyone I know it's my business." Cuprum laughed lightly.

"Oh please, you trying to be noble Lex? I think it's a bit late for that...." Alex glared at him, trying to remain calm. Hallia was almost out in the street when Cuprum appeared in front of her.

"It's not going to be that easy..." The giant of a man was watching Alex carefully.

"What about the boy?" Cuprum shrugged.

"All I'm concerned about is the girl, you can do with him what you wish..." Alex swallowed, this was definately not his day... This thought was reinforced after the first few blows to the stomach, not to mention the punches he received in his face. He took all of this silently, finally, with a loud moan he collapsed. As Cuprum knelt by him it gave Hallia time to escape. As she tore off down the street she felt guilty, but he'd told her to go. Not out loud of course, but she could tell. His eyes told her to run.. She could tell a lot of things from peoples' eyes, especially ones like Alexs'.

As she turned the corner Hallia nearly ran into a dark haired boy, gunshots rang out behind them as he grabbed her hand, pulling her down the street. Leading her into an alleyway, it wasen't a dead end, but instead of running along he lead her up the fire escape and onto a buildings' roof. Breathing heavily she followed him up and around the spiralling ladder-system and onto the roof. When they arrived at the top he lead her across to the opposite side, he peered over the edge while Hallia studied his face. He haden't broken a sweat. Shaking his head he turned to her.

"Hallia, even though we haven't actually really met yet, you're going to have to trust me..." He paused, waiting for a responce, she nodded. "I think the room directly below us is empty, if we can climb in through the window from up here then it should make losing these guys a lot easier."

"So you're thinking they'll run past?" He nodded.

"Exactly..." The corners of his mouth lifted slightly, forming a smile. Sitting on the edge he gave her a slight wave before he slid off the edge. Hallia was about to call out, but stopped when she noticed his hand... His left hand was cliging to the edge of the rooftop. Carefully she bent over, not wanting to fall herself she gazed upon the boy, who was trying to unlatch the window with his right hand. "Got it..." He said quietly, climbing back onto the roof. "It's a bathroom, definately empty, and from what I can tell there's around. I can lower you inside..." She quirked a brow. "I'll lie on my stomach, and lower you down to where you can get inside.. Get it?"

"Do you think you'll be able too?" He smirked.

"Yeah, I think I can manage..." As Hallia sat on the edge of the five story building she found that she wasen't scared. As he took her hands to lower her the boy brought his face close to hers, in nearly a whisper he said. "My name is Jager..." And with that he gave her a gentle push. (he's still holding her hands, he didn't just murder her, okay? lol) Lying on his stomach, trying to get her closer to the window Jager sighed. "You think you can catch it with your foot?" She looked up at him quizically.

"Huh?" He rolled his eyes.

'Can you stick your foot in?"

"Oh.. Yeah..." Jager struggled to get her closer to the window. Slowly, not wanting them to both fall, she extended her right leg, carefully she hooked her foot on the window ledge. "I need a hand." Jager nodded, releasing her right hand, both his hands now grasping her left. She now had both feet in the window, Jager leaned further down, only his legs remaining completely on the roof.

"You alright?" He asked, his eyes closed as he concentrated on staying on the rooftop.

"Yeah.." she muttered, sliding inside up to her mid-thigh.

"Once you get inside, lock the door alright?"

"If you don't let go of me I can't get all the way inside!"

"I'll take that as a yes..." He let go of her hand, awaiting a cry of alarm that never came. "Hallia!" He asked as loudly as he dared. She laughed.

"Get down here." He let out a sigh of relief as he climbed inside behind her.

They were both inside, finally. Unsure if the surrounding rooms were empty they took a few moments to plan.

"I can check it out of you're willing to stay here..." Jager said looking around, trying to peer through the small crack created when he opened the door. She shook her head.

"No, if you go and it turns out it's a big place that is going to take forever to search I might get caught when I come out to look for you." Jager sighed.

"But if both of us go then we'll both get caught!"

"Well then we'll have to take that chance..." Hallia said curtly, stepping out of the bathroom. Jager followed her out, looking somewhat annoyed.

"You've got a lot of nerve..." he muttered in a whisper. She rolled her eyes.

The two crept around the apartment, searching for the door. Eventually they found it, at first it had seemed like a closet, which is why it was overlooked so many times. Carefully Jager slid it open, the door made a long squeaky noise as it opened.

"No one oils their hinges anymore..." He muttered, more to himself than to Hallia. They stole down the long narrow hallway to an elevator, Hallia paused. "What?" Jager asked curiously. She bit her lip, stepping inside beside him.

"Nothing..." He pressed the ground floor button.

"Nothing? Riight..." Jager frowned. "What's wrong?" she shook her head.

"I just have a thing about elevators..." He watched the light as thye went down. 5-4-3...

"The feeling of powerlessness? The fact that no matter what you do, if the cable snaps, or the power goes out, you can't do anything? Yeah... I get that too..." Hallia looked at him, stunned. He sighed. "A lot of people do, or at least the ones that like having some control over things that go on around them... It's the same way with airplanes, you can't really control anything but your destination." He sighed as the door opened. "But most of the time it turns out alright, so I take the chance..." he stepped out of the elevator, looking over his shoulder at her he quirked a brow. "coming?" She nodded, stepping out as the elevator doors closed. They strode through the lobby, no one giving them a second look. Once outside Hallia looked around.

"Where are we going now?"

"Back?"

"To the alleyway?" She asked fearfully. He nodded. "But... But what good will it do?"

"What if it turns out Alex isen't dead? What if he's still alive, but we didn't go back for him?" Hallia swallowed nerviously. "Exactly." They walked for a few moments in silence before Hallia spoke up again.

"You think he could still be alive?" Jager shrugged.

'He took most of it in his face... So what I'm thinking is that he just blacked out..." She nodded, hoping he was right...

They were at the mouth of the alleyway, not really wanting to go in, Hallia looked towards Jager.

"Should we just... go in?" Jager nodded, going in first. Kneeling by Alexs' body Jager rolled him onto his back, his face barely recongnizable. Placing a hand on his neck he shook his head. "No pulse..." Hallia quirked a brow.

"But he's breathing..."

"Huh?"

"Look at his chest, he's breathing..." Jager shook his head.

"But he can't be..." Jager pulled a knife from Alex's boot, he held it just below Alex's nose. Hallia eyed Jager quizically. "This has a point.." he said, not looking away from th eblade. His eyes widened as a small bit of 'fog' appeared on the blade. Hallia smiled.

"I told you..." Jager nodded.

"That you did..." A female voice broke in from above them. Jager and Hallia both jerked their heads upward.

"Jager admitted he was wrong, that's definately a first..." A girl with shoulder length blonde hair said. She was tall and thing, not as tall as Jager but tall. Her aqua eyes shone with concern. "You know me Jager, once you met up with Alex it was only a matter of time..."

"Yeah, you always seem to follow Alex around, don't you?" She rolled her eyes.

"Yeah Jag, I follow the little perv. everywhere he goes..." Hallia frowned.

"Well if you two ever want to have this conversation again we'd better do something about him!" Jager nodded.

"She's right Marx..." The girl smiled.

"Yet again..." She walked to the other side of Alex and knelt. "Let's see what we have here....hmmm... Shirt?" Jager nodded, slitting Alex's shirt up the middle. Marx winced, Alexs' chest was so caked with blood that his actual chest wasen't visible." She bent closer, examining all of the incisions she shook her head. "Brass knuckles... Whoever invented them should be pulled out into the street and shot... I'm going to need some water and something to put over these cuts when we move him." Jager thought for a moment.

"You think it'd be alright to move him up a flight of stairs? My apartments' on the fourth floor, from the second we can take the elevator." She nodded.

"You two take him up, I'll go and get somewhere clear for you to put him."

"Number 22." She nodded.

"Got it.. And be careful... If you aren't..." Worry creased Marxs' face. "Just be careful." Hallia smiled softly.

"We will be, now go." Marx followed her advice and ran around the building and up the stairs. Jager lifted Alex in his arms, looking at Hallia.

"All you have to do is open the doors, alright?"

'I can do that." They made their way to the second floor. Once inside the elevator Hallia sighed. "So what's the deal with those two?" Jager shrugged.

"I have my own opinions, but you'll have to see for yourself." She frowned.

"Do you have these neutral comments written down somewhere"

"No, I believe memorization is the best method, it's hard to seem all-knowing if you have to leaf through index cards." He replied in a serious tone.

"Ha-ha.." The doors slid open and they headed down the hallway towards Jagers' aparment.

"Alright, I'm set up in the kitchen." Marx said coming out to meet them. "Your table may be out of commission, I don't know if you'll want to eat off it..." Jager nodded, stepping past her, through the den into the kitchen. He laid Alex on the table with his legs dangling off the side. Marx guided Hallia into the den, then without a word, went into the kitchen as Jager stepped out. HE closed the door behind him. Hallia glumly sat on the couch.

"How long?"

"Hard to tell, but he'll be fine."

"How do you know?"

"Trust me, Marx can heal practically anything."

"Practically?"

"Well if you're already dead she can't do much." Hallia laughed.

"I guess not." Marx poked her head out.

"Just thought I'd warn you, he's awake." She disappeared, after about ten minutes Alexs' screaming voice could be heard.

"OUCH! DAMN YOU MARX, WHAT THE HELL IS THAT STUFF?!?" Silence. "Well I don't care, get it away from me dammit!!! I don't care if it means.... Just don't put any of that...... AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!" A moan, followed by Marx's voice was all that was heard for the remainder of the evening, with the exception of a few outbursts of words I'd rather not repeat. Eventually Marx emerged, Alex trailing behind. His face had a few cuts, but it wasen't as bad as before, and he could walk. Jager smirked.

"You invent a few words Alex?" Alex glared at him, clutching his bandaged chest.

"Shove it Jag, I'm not in the..." he stopped, seeing Hallia. "You're really alright... Marx said you were, but she would have said anything to shut me up.." Hallia nodded.

"Of course I'm alright, I knew what you were doing..." He limped over to the sofa.

"Obviously.." He winced as though he was in serious pain, his clenched teeth expressed more anger and pain than his outbursts had. Hallia rushed to his side.

"What's wrong?" he smiled, ever so slightly.

"Nothing now.." Marx was still in the kitchen, but Jager expressed his disgust.

"Honestly Alex, can't you go three minutes..." he muttered, rolling his eyes.

"So shooting pains are something to be ashamed of?" Alex asked innocently. Jager rolled his eyes.

"If they're ficticious!" Hallia grinned.

"Should I leave you two to your arguement?"

"No!" They shouted in unison, both sheepishly avoiding her gazes.

"Okay then..."

By this time it was around 9:00 PM. Marx finally emerged. Both Alex and Hallia were asleep, Alex lying on the couch, Hallia lying parallel to him on the floor. Jager smiled, gesturing to Alex.

"He was trying to convince Hallia there was room for both of them..." Marx laughed.

"I wish I could say I was surprized... He'll never change..."

"Probably not, but we love him anyway.." Marx grinned.

"Speak for yourself..."

"You're hopeless..." Marx laughed.

"It's a matter of opinion..." Jager yawned.

"I'm too tired to argue..." She sighed, taking a seat on the floor.

"Goodnight..." He nodded.

'You can take the room if you want... I'm going to stay here to make sure our little invalid dosen't have anymore shooting pains." Marx laughed.

"Shooting pains? Honestly..." After a while they fell asleep.

III. The Morning After

Hallia didn't want to wake up, not yet... 'I'll just wait until my alarm goes off...' she thought, rolling on her side, desperately clinging to the last few moments of sleep. Alex was nearly falling off the sofa, looming over her.

"Oh knock it off." Marx snapped, hitting him in the back of the head. He fell off the couch, but instead of falling on top of Hallia he managed to flip over and land on his back.

"Ow, hey, what was that for?" She grinned, sitting on the sofa.

"How do you expect her to get any sleep if you keep staring at her like that? You'll wake her up." Alex nodded.

"Duh, that's the whole point."

"Alex...You have some serious issues, you know that?"

"Yup." He continued staring at Hallia until she finally opened her eyes.

"Alright, alright, I'm up." Jager smiled.

"I figured you would be... He's been watching you since five..." Hallia quirked a brow.

"Why?" Jager laughed, Marx and Alex preoccupied with their arguement.

"Hard to tell, he's an odd one..." Marx grinned.

"You can say that agian!" Alex laughed.

"Hard to tell, he's an odd one... Happy now? Are we all through picking on Alex?" Jager laughed.

"Not quite, but that's enough for now." He sighed, after a few moments of silence Alex looked towards Marx.

"So can I take these bandages off yet?" She laughed.

"You could have taken them off last night if you weren't whining so much." Hallia quirked a brow, haden't Marx had to look away when she first saw his wounds? Jager frowned at Marx.

"Lay off Marx..." Marx looked surprized for a moment, but kept silent. Alex haden't been paying attention, he was trying to unwrap himself. Hallia laughed as he bent in every direction, trying to untie the bandage. Hallia laughed.

"Need some help?" He nodded.

"A little bit." She smiled, her fingers delecately untying the knots in the back. The cloth bandage weren't covered in blood as she'd expected, there were only a few random spots. Marx smirked as Alex started in disbeleif at his bare chest, not a scratch was visible.

"Tah-dah!" He swallowed, still staring.

"Yeah..." Hallia was in awe as well. Marx laughed.

"Don't act so surprized..." Jager laughed.

"It's sort of hard..." She grinned.

"I'm good at what I do." Alex looked up at her.

"Thank-you."

"Yeah, sure Alex, anytime.' She said smiling.

"So what about breakfast?" Jager asked, he haden't eaten anything the day before. Alex grinned.

"You read my mind Jag." Marx sighed, turning to Hallia.

"And while they pig out you and I can try and figure out who those gorillas were..."

"Yep, that's the plan." Hallia said with mock enthusiasim. Alex laughed, pulling on a dark blue shirt.

"Sounds good..." They headed down the stairs and down the street, following Marx.

"Where are we going?" Jager asked nudging Marx, she looked over her shoulder.

"To talk to Bas..." she said simply.

"About Hallia?"

'Yep?"

"That's a little extreme don't you think?" Jager quirked a brow.

"She was chased by a gang of huge guys, and attacked by a guy who practically put you in intensive care, do you want to wait 'till she's dead?!" Hallia laughed lightly.

"Thanks for your support..."

"You know what I meant.." Alex sighed.

"I guess you're right..." he muttered in nearly a whisper to himesl. Jager ignored him.

"So Marx, how do you know where to find Bas?" She smirked.

"Did you think it was a coincidence that I was walking by that alleyway?" Jager shrugged.

"Fate is a mysterious thing." Alex looked at him.

"So Jag, when did you change into a fortune cookie?" Jager laughed.

"I'm a fortune cookie?"

"'Fate is a mysterious thing,' that's not something you'd say!"

"Well apparently it is because I said it." Alex grinned.

"Now that's more like the Jager we know and love.." Jager shook his head.

"Was there someone bugging as or what?" He asked Marx.

"Bugging you? That'd be a suicide mission." Hallia quirked a brow.

"Buggin?" Alex smiled.

"Sending someone to follow someone around to gather information... That's the basic jist of it... Right?" Marx nodded.

"Yeah basically..." Jager paused, listening to something... "Jager?" Marx asked cautiously.

"Someone's coming.. Four, maybe five... Chasing someone..." After a few moments loud voices could be heard.

"Alright you caniving..."

"Where's our money you cheat?!"

"Come on guys, you don't honestly think I'd cheat do you?" A voice said, sounding somewhat out of breath.

"The real question is when DON'T you cheat!"

"G-G-Guys..." The out of breath voice stammered. "You aren't serious... You've all tickled the cards a bit..."

"So you admit it! Any last words?" Both Jager and Alex ran towards the voices, but they arrived too late...

IV. The Bounty and the Swindler

All that remained was a tall lean figure wearing a long brown raincoat.

'I'm sorry to dissappoint you two..." He said, his voice revealed him as the one that had been chaseed. "But I'm afraid that you'll find here is me..." He turned around, his short black hair had random streaks of pale blue, the same pale blue that shone in his eyes. "Unless you think you'd do better..." he gestured to the four moaning men lying on the ground. Jager chuckled.

"No, I don't believe that's necessary.." The boy shrugged, adjusting a black fingerless glove.

"I suppose you've made the correct choice, but it's a boring one..."

"So who are you?" Jager asked.

"How is that relevant?"

"If we ever meet again I may wish to know whom I am speaking..." The boy laughed.

"You could have just said so I know who I'm talking to..."

"Simplicity isen't Jagers' way..." Alex laughing said.

"So you're Jager.. Hmmm..." He circled Jager, his expression thoughtful. "The rumors that are going around... You don't look like the type..."

"You can't believe everything you hear..." Jager said, watching the strange boy circle him.

"I don't.. I don't listen to many things, and even when I hear some things I don't believe them... But I've chosen to believe what I've heard about you..."

"Well believer..." Jager said quietly, an edge to his voice, "Do you have a name?"

"I do... Van..." He stopped circling. "You are Sterling and Maju's son aren't you?" When Jager didn't reply Van nodded. "Yeah, I thought you were... I don't blame you for not wanting to claim Maju as your father... The bastard..." Jager quirked a brow.

"So you know him as well?" Van nodded.

"Turned everyone against my family once my father died... Exiled us.. Like he owns the whole damn world anyway..."

"So you're Van Yataten?"

"No, not exactly... But that's who I was..." Van sighed. "So who's your little friend?" Jager looked around.

"You mean Alex?" Jager shrugged, for he was nowhere to be found.

"He probably went back to wherever you were..." Van said as a deck of cards appeared in his hand. He began shuffling them absently. Jager gave him a quizzical look, Van laughed. "I'm not one to sit around and twiddle my thumbs..."

"Obviously not, if you did you wouldn't get into so much trouble." Marx's voice called. Van smirked.

"You're still looking for me? I"m touched..." She strode over to Van, a gun trained on his chest.

"No, I don't waste my time with bairgain bins like you, but since we've crossed paths I thought I'd keep my cashflow going.." He raised his arms.

"Alright, say what you will..." He turned, putting his palms against the wall. "But you know you want me..." She rolled her eyes.

"Only for the price on your head, now cut the crap and come along quietly." Van laughed.

"Yes Ma'am." Jager raised a curious eyebrow.

"Am I missing something?" Van grinned as Marx slapped handcuffs on his wrists.

"Marx is constantly trying to turn me in, but she can never bring herself to do it.." Marx smirked.

"Ri~ight... Oh Van, I hope you aren't depending on that key of yours..." Van's cocky expression flickered for a second, then returned, almost as if it had never left.

"You really think you're going to turn me in, don't you?" She nodded. "Such high hopes..." He tossed the handcuffs to her, smirking. "But what do high hopes around to? Nothing, they're just hopes..." Marx glared at him. "Oh come off it, you wouldn't have turned me in anyway..." Marx laughed.

"You seem pretty sure of yourself..."

"Whoever sponsored the bounty pulled out, so there's no reward..."

"Liar, and even if there wasen't, which I know there is,, I'd get rid of you." He rolled his eyes.

"Oh ouch, that stung..."

"But it's true.." Alex shook his head.

"Hey Marx?" He asked cautiously.

"What Alex?" She replied sharply.

"Why are you wasting all this time arguing with him when we're supposed to be talking to Bas?" Van smirked.

"Somebody's jealous.." he whispered.

"Shut-up, Alex dosen't have anything to be jealous of, all you are is a big waste of time... Nothing to be admired..." Van laughed.

"In your opinion..." Hallia, who'd been standing off to the side quietly watching, sighed.

"Are we going to see Bas or stand here and argue... Because if you're just going to argue all day then I can just leave..." Jager grinned.

"Ditto'." Alex nodded.

"Same here." Van laughed.

"Well if you guys are leaving I'm with you..." He grinned. "I think Marx can spend hours arguing with herself..." Marx rolled her eyes.

"I believe that's you Van, and who invited you to come with us anyway?" He laughed.

"Do I, one of your oldest friends, need and invitation?"

"Friend? Ha... If you're one of my closest friends then I'm in trouble."

"I believe we're wasting time yet again..." Jager said, shooting Marx a disapproving look. She nodded.

"Sure we are, but any time spent with Van is wasted..."

"Yeah-yeah, I'm a waste of time, I think they get the point Marx." He pulled out a small rectangular box and tossed it to her. "Push the little white button on the side." As she did the top unfolded revealing a small computer. "Push... Oh damn..." He rubbed his forehead. "Uh, 3-1-3 and then hit that little swirly button..." She did, and after a few moments a face appeared on the small monitor. He had short dark hair and a long tanned face, he grinned.

"Heeeeeeey Marx, long time no see..." Marx's eyes opened wide.

"Bas? What the... What the hell is this thing?!" She asked, looking at Van, who in responce, laughed.

"Don't worry about that now, just talk to him for a few minutes. You can still go see him, but this way he'll know where he is, a lot faster than trekking all the way to the Aura without knowing where he is..."

"But how does this thing work? I mean, I've never seen Bas with a camera perched over his computer or anything... I would have thought..."

"HEY, DID YOU GUYS FORGET ABOUT ME?!?! REMEMBER, THE MAN ON THE SCREEN?!?!" Bas' face yelled. Marx stiffled laughter.

"Man?" Bas frowned.

"Yeah, I'm not a woman... Or at least not from my experience anyway, so what's up?" Marx smiled.

"We think we've got a bounty head..." Bas raised an eyebrow.

"To turn-in or protect?" Marx smirked.

"Jager & Alex are here dimwitt..." Bas laughed.

"Yeah, with those two studs around no one would be able to get a bounty... I'm getting all fluttery just thinking about them..." Bas grinned, trying to supress his laughter as he heard Alex curse him. "So what's his name?"

"Her," Marx corrected. "And her name's Hallia." Bas's jaw dropped slightly.

"Hallia? You sure?" Marx nodded.

"Yeah, I'm..pretty sure..." She looked at Hallia. "Your names' Hallia, right?" Hallia nodded, looking a bit confused. "Yeah, so whatcha got?"

"Uh... Marx.. You may want to rethink the whole 'protection' bit... I wouldn't want to get involved with this if I were you..."

"Get involved with what?" Jager broke in.

"Nothing I want to talk about over the com... Aura.." He said and then the screen went black.

"What the... What did he mean by that?" Marx asked, looking a bit annoyed.

"He means that it's probably a syndicate bounty... Nothing I didn't already know since Cuprums' involved..." Alex muttered, casting Hallia a look.

"You know... We could always turn her in..." Van began, recieving sour looks from everyone. "No, that's not what I mean, what I'm suggesting is that we turn her in, collect the bounty & bust her out." Jager shook his head.

"No way, the syndicate wouldn't pay, they'd take her then kill whoever delivered her..."

"Well there's a jolly thought..." Van muttered.

"It's called a CRIME SYNDICATE for a reason Van, think... The mob..." Alex said with a bit of a laugh.

"Besides, we'd need Clai & Jesse anyway..." Jager said lightly. "But I think Clai went clean..."

"Well, we have Van..." Marx said lightly.

"I seriously doubt that Van could fill Clai's shoes..." Alex said smirking slightly.

"Who's Clai?" Van asked.

"I dunno'... I mean... He's pretty good at distracting people and swindling..." Marx said with a grin.

"Who's Clai?" Van asked again, his voice tinged with urgency. Alex grinned.

"Right now Van, you're on a need-to-know basis..." He began.

"And right now, you don't need to know." Marx finished, smirking. Jager rolled his eyes deleberitely.

"Do you two ever get new material?" Alex grinned.

"Why mess with a classic?"

"Why let a worn-out line like that become a classic?" Jager asked, grinning. Hallia, despite her situation, laughed. It all seemed so normal, out with some friends, joking around, without a care in the world... If only it were the truth... Marx said something and they started off, but Jager hung back.

"Hallia?" he asked in a low voice as the others continued on. "I know what you're going through... All of us do, we've all been bounties at one time or another... I dunno' why you are one, and quite frankly I don't care..." He smiled. "Perhaps that's not wise of me... There are millions of reasons for me not to trust you, but I can't find one I'm satisfied with, so..." He bowed his head slightly, taking her hand inn his own. "Perhaps it's because... You remind me so much of Jules... But that's another matter altogether..." He sighed. "Basically what I'm trying to say is that I'll do whatever I can for you.." Hallia smiled gratefully, the brief period of denial had passed.

"That means a lot.." His eyes narrowed as he gazed past her.

"Don't move.." He whispered.

"Why?" She asked, suddenly terrified.

"Just don't.." He muttered, turning and wallking away from her.

"Jager..." Hallia whispered, watching him leave. She didn't want to stand still, she wanted to follow him, she didn't like being out in the open... But she stayed in place until he returned, his pants slightly torn, a few minor cuts and bruises on his bare arms, and he was dirtier than he had been, but otherwise he was fine.

"You okay?" He smiled.

"A little worse for the wear.. But I'm all right."

"Hey Jag!" Alex's voice called from down the street. "You all right?" Jager laughed lightly.

"But of course, did you forget who you're talking to?" Hallia's eyes were wide, curious, yet scared. "Just a small-fry, not even an experienced hunter..." He rubbed his jaw tenderly. "He had a mean right hook though..."

"Where? How did you know?" Jager sighed, his smile not wavering as he turned to her to explain.

"He was trying to be silent.." Alex grinned.

"Oh yeah, he tried so loud I could hear him from way down there..."

"Oh shut-up.." Jager muttered. "Every time he made a noise he cursed, so it was obvious..." Hallia raised an eyebrow.

"But I didn't hear him..." He chuckled lightly.

"That's because you're not used to being hunted." Marx and Van came around the corner, Marx smirked slightly.

"Nah, it's because of your wolf-like sense of hearing Jager..."

"Almost as good as Marx's fox-like way of getting herself out of all the holes she digs herself into..." Van rolled his eyes.

"Yeah, this is all fun and all, but weren't we going to get breakfast?" Alex grinned.

"If we weren't we are now!!" Jager laughed.

"You have a one-track mind Alex..." He said with a sigh. Marx shook her head.

"No, two, food and..." Alex winked at her, still grinning.

"You know it babe." Van gagged, laughing.

"You're sick."

"That's what I'm told." Alex said with a laugh, Jager mearly shook his head, a small smile creased his lips.

"Let's go back over to food shall we?" Marx asked, casting Alex a sly smile.

V. Breakfast and Mercury

After Hallia, Marx, and Jager had finished their meal, Alex and Van were still stuffing themselves, eating all the pancakes and eggs they could get their hands on.

"Soo... Guys..." Marx said smoothly. "Who's paying for all this?" Both of them looked up.

"Huh?" They asked, swallowing.

"Come on, one of you guys is, right?" They both nodded.

"He will." They said in unison. "I will?!? What do you mean I will?! Will you shut-up and let me talk?! I'm not shutting up, you shut-up!! You want a piece of me?! You do?! All right, we're taking this outside!!!" This arguement was loud and short, ending with both of them storming out of the restaraunt. Hallia raised a brow.

"What just happened here?" Jager sighed.

"Those two just got out of paying for anything..." Marx smacked her fist against the table.

"That's what I was afraid of... Damn it.. Jager, sta here..." And without another word she headed out the door. Hallia sighed.

"Let me guess, now you're stuck with the bill?" Hallia asked, Jager nodded.

"As I always am..."

"Not today..." A suave womans voice answered calmly. "I can take care of it for you Jager..." He rubbed his forehead, annoyance written all over his face. Hallia looked up, she found herself gazing at a tall tanned woman with silver hair and amber eyes. "What do you want Mercy?" He asked with a sigh.

"So you do remember..." He looked up at her, a coy expression on his face.

"How could I forget..." She sat in the chair across from him.

"Well, you are fairly good at putting the past behind you..." He glared at her.

"Mercury, does this have a point?" She smirked.

"I just wanted to see how you were doing..." She looked at Hallia. "...Very well I see..." He stiffened, very slightly, only someone who'd known him a long time could see the difference.

"Shouldn't you leave before you've worn out your welcome?"

"What if I have information?"

"About?"

"This is all hypothetical of course, but what if I had information on Hallia?" His expression didn't change.

"How would you have aquired said information."

"A previous employer."

"Cost?"

"Depends on whether you'd want me to dig..."

"Stupid question." She nodded.

"All right, but only because it's you Jager..." Mercury got up. "I'll contact you again, soon.. Oh, here." She handed him two worn leather wallets. "They didn't have much on them, no wonder they both wanted out." Jager sighed.

"I figured as much, and Mercy?" she raised a brow. "Thanks." She nodded.

"Anytime hun, and Halli.." Hallia looked up, wondering how Jagers' opinion of 'Mercury' could change so quickly. "You'll be save with Jager, I've even had a price on my head.. He'll keep you safe, take it from the voice of experience... Here." She handed Hallia a fine necklace with a small bottle attatched to the chain. "Jag'll explain.." Then she turned and was gone.

"Yeah, I know... Mercy's a lot to take in, especially all at once.." He said as sort of an apology. "Now I think we'd better pay and get out of here."

"I agree, but one thing, Jager, what's this?" Hallia asked, holding the necklace out to him. He stood up, taking it from her, then putting it around her neck.

"Look around the room." Hallia slowly looked around the room, everything seemed the same. "Now look at me..." he said quietly. Hallia turned to face him, Jager looked normal, from the waist up, but on each leg she could clearly see the outline of a long blade, and there was the outline of a knife in his boot. "AIt reveals weapons, most of them anyway, I'm not really sure how it works, but it's helpful in a fight..." Hallia gave him a curious look.

"You think I'll get into many fights?" Jager laughed, paying for the food.

"I hope not, but I may, and knowing what I'm up against is a small advantage..." he lead her outside to where Alex, Van, and Marx sat on the curb. "Thanks for all the help guys..." He muttered. Alex jerked around

"Sorry Jag, You know how it is.." Van sighed.

"My wallet was stolen while I was eating..." Jager grinned.

"So much for Mercury's fast fingers..." Both Alex and Van stared at Jager, open-mouthed.

"Mercury?" Alex asked, unsuccessfully trying to cloak his recognition.

"You don't mean Mercy Pascal?" Van shook his head. "I should've known better than to head into her territory... She's probably still mad..." He flicked his wrist, a cigarette appearing in his hand. "She can hold one hell of a grudge..." He lit up and took a long drag, Alex raised an eyebrow.

"What did you do? It takes a lot to get Mercy mad.." Van blew smoke out as he spoke.

"I'd rather not say..."

"What did you do Van?" Marx asked with mild interest.

"Well, remember when we were in Serine and you had to take a shower in my room because your rooms' water heater was busted?"

"Yeah..."

"You remember that girl that came in while you wre in a towel, that slapped me and called me a two-timing double-dealing bastard and then...uh...told me to go do something that isen't physically possible?" Marx laughed slightly.

"Yeah."

"Well... That was Mercury's little sister.." Marx laughed.

"Ah..." Smoke swirled into the air.

"I really liked her... It would've been three years today, well, if we were still together..."

"I'm sorry Van..." He shrugged, shaking his head.

"Nah, it wouldn't have lasted anyway.. Mercury was just looking for a reason to wail on me, she hates me..." He smiled. "But one good thing did come out of it..." Marx quirked a brow.

"What?" He grinned.

"I got to see you in a towel." Marx frowned at him.

"Oh shut-up!" Jager and Alex laughed, but Hallia wasen't paying attention, she was marvelling at the number of weapons the group had, too many...

"You okay?" Alex asked, now standing beside her. "You look a little spacey.." She looked at him.

"Alex, what are you afraid of?" He raised an eyebrow.

"Um... In general?" She sighed.

"I'm sorry... I guess I was just curious as to why you carry so many weapons..." He nodded, placing his hands on the back of her neck, finding the fine chair that the samll vial was on he pulled slightly, which forced the bottle out of it's hiding place beneath Hallia's shirt.

"A Qui..." he laughed lightly. "Mercury give it to you?"

"Yeah..." He took the necklace from Hallia and threw it on the ground, the vial shattered.

"ALex! Why'd you do that?!" Jager demanded. "You know that was a Qui! You know how ra-" He froze as Alex pulled a thin silver necklace from his own neck, and on it there was a small vial nearly identical to the one Mercury had given Hallia. He handed it to her with a sigh.

"That one isen't a tracking device.." Alex shot Jager a look. "You have to be careful, we'll be dealing with professionals." marx nodded.

"Yeah we will... Nothing we can't handle though," She smirked. "right?" Van grinned.

"Right." After a few moments of silence Jager leaned against the wall, his eyes closed.

"So what's our next move?"

"Find out who sponsored the bounty?" Alex guessed.

"No, we need to find new places to stay, that's first." Marx said matter~of~factly.

"First, i'm going to get some cash.." Van said, tossing the butt of his cigarette on the sidewalk. "And I think all of you should do the same... Rent dosen't pay itself." Jager nodded.

"Van's right..." Marx nodded, laughing lightly.

"For once... Mercury is getting information right?"

"Yeah." He smiled, handing Alex and Van their wallets. "Before I forget." They both peeked inside, nothing had been toucherd, Van took out a few bills, then passed them to Jager.

"That should be enough to cover me, and the human steamshovel over there." He jerked a thumb at Alex. Jager nodded.

"It's appriciated." Alex grinned.

"Greatly."

"I wasen't doing it for you." Van snapped. "If anything I'd take money from you, it's not like you ever do anything with it..."

"If you guys ever decide to get serious and actuall DO something.." Marx trailed off. Alex grinned.

"Marx, you just ruined what what could've been a good arguement..." Van laughed.

"Yeah, I enjoy arguing with a half-wit..."

"Hey!" Alex exclaimed, still grinning. Hallia sighed, deep in thought. Jager watched her, concer etched in his features. He knew the thoughts running through her head, he had them too. While Alex and Van matched wits, Marx watching, almost in hysterics, he tried to figure out why Hallia would have a bounty on her head... The most pussling part being that SHE didn't know why, but she could be lying... For some reason he didn't think so.. Though it seemed a bit suspicious, how could she do something to make people shell out that much cash and not remember? Unless of course they didn't know she didn't remember.. And that brought up a whole new set of problems in itself...

"Jager..." Mercury's voice was purring in his ear. "I have a bit of information for you... But it's going to cost you Van." Jager turned, surprized. She laughed. "I'm not... I don't want to.. I just want to talk to him." Jager cocked an eyebrow.

"This wouldn't have anything to do with your sister would it?" Mercury sighed.

"The way she told it she practically walked in on him with some girl, but somehow I don't think Van would do that... I don't like him, and quite frankly I was just waiting for him to screw up.. But I don't like the way she badmouths him, slurring him, he's a good guy..." She grinned. "A pretty good guy, I just want to hear what he has to say, his side... Holly tends to exaggerate." He smirked slightly.

"May I discuss it with the accused?" She laughed.

"Go right ahead Jager, I'll be here..." Jager nodded.

"Van, I hate to inturrupt, but would you mind coming over here?"