The sun beat down upon the heads of four companions as they walked through the desert bordering the Sidonian empire. Their vehicle had broken down five miles back and the nearest town was another five miles off. The only thing that proved to relieve was the breeze that drifted over them. The eldest of them, Ryan, glared back at the other three his icy-blue eyes falling on the youngest, Jin, and narrowing. It was all his fault they were stuck like this. A sweat drop formed on the side of the redhead's face as his strange emerald eyes averted to the right. Unfortunately, this action caused him to fall flat onto his face. His fiery red hair flew up behind him as he did, very un-princely curses spewed forth from his lips. Coughing and sputtering he went to sit up when his caramel-colored hand felt something soft beneath him in his native tongue. With widening eyes, he bolted off to the side. The others stared at him strangely before gathering around the object over which he had tripped. The other two of the quarry stood there in silence as they watched Ryan check over the prone form.

"Aquatican, female, late teens, practically dead." He stood up and adjusted his glasses and the hair band that kept his raven hair bound behind him. "Leave her." Turning on his heels, he started walking again leaving the other three to stare at him in shock. Jin still hadn't recovered and so the two twins stood there in silence for a few minutes before one spoke.

"Beltran, you get the girl 'n her bear and I'll get shorty." Beltran nodded and did as his twin had asked of him. It was always like this between himself and Rowan. Rowan genuinely spoke or made a smart-ass comment while Beltran was mute. He couldn't talk, never could, never would. The only difference with these twins, besides their gender, was their clothing choices and the fact that Beltran's hair was long while Rowan preferred her own short and in a spiked fashion. The mute man mused over this the entire time they walked. He also mused what such a pretty girl would be doing left for dead in the desert like she was. She was unique, to say the least. Her hair was the color of clear water with a soft pastel triad in a braid that went around her head like a headband. It took him so long in his musings that by the time he snapped out of them, they had reached their destination. The town of Shebion.

By the time the darkly tanned man and his twin reached the inn Ryan had the last three rooms ordered and had already left a message with the nearest, not to mention cheapest, tow company. The perky blonde behind the desk gasped, Kendra or so her name tag read when she saw Beltran walk in with the tiny pale-skinned girl and waited until the confused man went upstairs to file a police report. It was most likely the former scenario, otherwise, she was just freaking out over the trail of flora following the earth elemental up the stairs. With Shebion being such a small town though the only one on duty couldn't do much until morning and he told her to try and keep the men from leaving, but not to outright engage them, until he could make it out there.

The boys however were busy getting ready for bed. Rowan had Jin undressed down to his shirt and boxers and sighed leaving the room so that Ryan could get into the other bed. It didn't take her long to reach her own room just across the hall. To Rowan, it seemed she'd gotten the shitty end of the bunking arrangements. The only company she had was everyone's clothing. Stretching she made herself comfortable in the single room and curled up before falling asleep.

Beltran had just set the girl on the other bed in the shared room they had and sighed. Stripping down to his boxers he curled under the stark white sheets. The moonlight playing on the contrast of his bronze skin made him look serene in a way.

It was hours later when Beltran awoke. Something in the room's aura had changed and it pulled him up. Rubbing at his starry night eyes, he glanced at the girl the next bed over. Her body was twitching and she moved as if in a nightmare. His first instinct was to move over to try and wake her when he heard her breathing become erratic. When he reached her side though he found himself face to face with a pair of glowing golden orbs.

He didn't know how long he stared into those orbs before he realized the eminent dangers of a clawed hand coming down upon him. He was knocked back and blinked looking at the movements of the girl as he backed up slowly. He watched as she tried in vain to get up from the bed, only to fall back on it. She did this three times and three times she failed. The fourth try however proved fruitful as she fell from the bed onto the floor with her bear and began to drag herself along the floor her movements looking like something from one of his night terrors.

His hand flew up to the door he was backed against and desperately tried for the handle as the nightmare moved closer. In a final try, it flew open and he was whimpering while beating on his twin's door. Both Rowan and Ryan's doors swiftly opened to the noise and Ryan looked to Beltran his eyes narrowing.

"Do you know what time it is?" The long-haired man shook his head at the bespectacled man's irate inquiry and whimpered pointing off towards his room.

"One-oh-nine" Rowan ventured as she looked at her watch, then followed Beltran's finger just in time to see the girl emerging still dragging herself along the floor, the bear clasped tightly in her hand. Her cyan hair trailing behind her like a waterfall.

"I thought I told you moron's to leave her as she was?" Ryan sighed. "She's gonna hurt herself even further." He moved forward to the girl and crouched down to her level.

"Hey, knock it off." His icy-blue hues were met with angered orbs reflecting the hallway light in a rainbow of colors as she snarled and tried to get past him. Being taller than both Rowan and Ryan Beltran frowned even further from the safety of his sister's back, hadn't her eyes been golden before?

"Honestly," He sighed again. "You deserve a decent fucking slap you know that?"

Her gaze didn't waver as she stared him down.

It was like lightning and before he realized what had happened Ryan found himself beaned in the head with a stuffed bear. It's not that it had hurt all that much, or at all, he was just shocked she had the strength to lift the damn bear. By the time it was over though he had to move to get her away from the stairs.

"Stop it you fucking BRAT!" That was all it took for those multicolored eyes to glare back at him before he felt something very sharp sink into his free arm. "Ow! Fuck! She bit me!" The brunette gave the kid a decent crack on the head to try and get her to let go. Beltran continued to hide behind the safety of his twin and Rowan had to bite onto her lower lip to keep from howling with laughter. It was a failed attempt though and soon the entire inn was awake to watch the spectacle. "The hell is in that mouth razors?"

Of all the things to awaken the little redheaded Sidonian prince; It wasn't the fact that he was cold because Ryan had kicked him out of the bed. He just assumed it was his fault, due to his sleep snuggling habit. It wasn't the whimpers of Beltran, the shouts of Ryan, or even the bawling laughter of Rowan. No, what woke him up was his stomach giving a goddess-awful roar. Rolling over and to his feet Jin sleepily marched to the bathroom and grabbed his toothbrush and started brushing his teeth. His pointed ears gave a light flicker as he made sure to get his elongated canines. Once done, he moved to the door after a particularly loud 'THUMP' and blinked.

It took the redhead a moment to put two and two together before he got, twenty-two actually. He'd missed something REALLY missed something.

Ryan was rubbing his arm and it was bleeding. Beltran was cowering behind a laughing Rowan and the girl, she was holding her head and backed against the wall. Hell, he was just surprised she was up. The green-eyed boy moved towards the girl blinking some with his hand extended. A soft mocha-tinted hand in which the nails came out into pointed claw-like tip.

"I wouldn't, she bites." Jin ignored Ryan and kept his slender hand out despite the girl swatting it away. He started to speak to her as if she were a wounded animal or a small child.

"Hey, hey, little Hashmal it's okay. I won't hurt you, we're not going to hurt you. What's your name?" It took a while but eventually, he was able to softly put his hand on her head and reveled in his triumph when she gave a soft purr and looked up at him. A purr that kind of sounded like happy dolphin clicking noises.

"N-Niamh." She winced as his hand ran over the knot on her scalp and the girl watched as the redhead tilted his head in curiosity. 

"Did you hurt your head?" He'd ignore those dangerous-looking shark-like teeth in her mouth for now. That and the prolonged exposure of their elements had caused a hiss and small crackle along with a visual of some steam lazily drifting upwards. Emerald hues not missing how the girl warily looked over at Ryan as if not knowing if she should speak. Ryan however glared angrily at her. Jin caught onto this and shouted at Ryan in disbelief. "You hit her? Drakidan Ryan! She's injured!"

"She bit me, Jin and she scared Beltran crawling out here like some freak out of a horror movie!" The brunette wasn't about to put up with being yelled at after getting bitten by a freak who had the gods only knows what kind of diseases. 

"That doesn't mean you can hit her! She was probably just as scared!" The redhead wasn't relenting either.

This started another ruckus with Jin and Ryan arguing. No one noticed that Niamh had weakly moved toward Rowan and Beltran. Well, except Beltran that is. He hid further behind his sister, ducking even as if that would hide him in his entirety from the tiny terror, the action caused Rowan to turn and tilt her head.

"I sincerely hope, kid, that you're over here to apologize for scaring my brother."

Niamh nodded and looked up deep blue-eyed woman. By up it should be said literally as Rowan stood at six foot four inches compared to the cyan-haired girl's even five-foot stance. 

"I-I'm sorry."

The lightning elemental smiled fondly and ruffled Niam's hair.

"I'm not the one you need to say it to." Pulling Beltran from behind her, Rowan pushed the long-haired man in front of Niamh. The Cyan-haired girl looked at Beltran with her rainbow eyes and her lower lip quivered slightly.

"I-I'm sorry."

Funny, he thought, she didn't seem so scary now. Perhaps the fire elemental had been right. Well, he knew he'd be freaked if he woke up in some strange place with an unknown person standing over him as well. He sort of knew the feeling the nights he bunked with Jin he often found himself waking up scared shitless when the walking space heater subconsciously cuddled under the covers with him.  Sighing he moved his hands and signed to her that it was quite alright and when she looked ready to cry he knew she didn't understand. He looked up to his sister for help. Rowan nodded and looked at Niamh.

"He says you're pardoned lil' lady." Another lopsided grin from the spiky-haired female as she watched Niamh's eyes shimmer a bit before the girl squealed in delight tackling the long-haired man to the floor and holding onto him tightly. The scene rekindled Rowan's laughter as she watched Niamh start licking Beltran's face like a puppy. It also got the attention of Ryan and Jin who stopped arguing and blinked.

"That's disgusting."

"I think it's cute."

"You would, freak."

Rowan looked over at the bickering fire and air elementals and continued laughing.

"No worries Jin, Ryan just has infinite PMS."

Jin blinked and looked at Rowan.

"RYAN HAS PMS!?" The redhead paused before asking the lighting wielder. "Wait, Ryan, I didn't l know you were secretly a woman!"

Ryan sighed and bopped five-foot four-inch man on the head with his fist and moved back to his room. Said the fire elemental putting his hands on his scalp as tiny tears pricked at the corners of his eyes. Emerald eyes that looked like he was a puppy that had just been kicked, kicked into oncoming traffic. 

"I'm going back to bed, anyone disturbs me and I'll gut them like a fish." Three sets of eyes looked at the tiny aquatican girl as her ear fins shot out at the threat and a low hiss left her.

It took Jin a minute before he whined.

"Heeeey! Open the door you dirty Althean my boots are in there!"

This time Rowan sighed.

"Your spare sandals are in my room with your clothes. You can wear them to breakfast after you get a bath. It's about time that 'Your mom goes to college' shirt got washed." The short-haired woman knew they could all use a Gods-be-damned bath. Her attention flew over to Niamh.

"You lil'lady have to use the ladies' shower located in the hell center you just left." Rowan's work-worn hands gently ushered Niamh back towards the room she'd previously been in and leaned against the now-closed door with a sigh. The girl had only blinked and nodded leaving Rowan to ponder a problem. The clothes she was in were tattered beyond repair, and even if she bathed what would she wear? Rowan knew she had a spare shirt and perhaps a pair of Jin's shorts? They'd be too big on her though, it left only one option. Cursing she rapped on the door of Ryan's room to be greeted with an icy stare from the air elemental.

"Ah, Jin's gonna need his boots and we want breakfast mister 'The sun kills me'." There was an undignified grunt from the brunette before Jin's boots were thrust into Rowen's face along with the group's expense card.

"Get the supplies as well, and get the brat some clothes but don't go on a spree with 'MY' money." Then the door was slammed shut. 

"Pfft Bitch." Rowan muttered with a roll of her eyes.
 
From behind the door, the air elemental replied. "I heard that jerk!"

Rowan sighed, shook her head, and went to wrangle up an assortment for the girl to wear while they were out. They each only had three outfits on them, to begin with. Being a bounty hunter was tough work. Nevertheless, she rounded things up leaving Jin's boots for the boy and heading out to knock on her twin's door.

"Yo, Bro." The lightning wielder smiled as she handed the clothes over to Beltran. It appeared Niamh was thoroughly enjoying the water as her voice could be heard resounding from the bathroom to whatever song she was singing. It could've been her aquatic nature as well. Rowan couldn't quite understand the words to the tune. "Cute kid." Her main goal was accomplished, she took note of how her brother guarded the door to make sure no one went in.

"Already attached huh?" She smirked. Beltran only rolled his eyes. His hand grabbed his sister's arm as he heard the water stop. They needed to leave and give the girl the privacy to get dressed.

When she came out into the hall the bluenette was having a hard time trying to keep the shorts on and her bear in her arms. Beltran disappeared into Rowan's room and came back with a spare belt. He looped it through the dark khaki cloth belt loops and then frowned. Of course, he and Ro were the only two who wore belts and they were too big. He sighed and pulled one of his daggers out to put a few notches in it until it fit her waist. Once he was satisfied he left to get a shower himself leaving Niamh in his sister's care.

A sister everyone but Jin thought was a man. The man had a freakish sense of smell on him. Not that Rowan didn't act the part anyway, and She supposed Ryan knew as well. The man pretty much owned her... Still, it was an awkward wait as the woman had no idea what to do other than try and teach the girl how to play a decent round of cards.

Once everyone was clean and dressed, they settled down for breakfast. Niamh had no idea what half the items on the menu were so she just settled for a couple of pieces of medium-rare meat. It would've been good if she could get some decent raw fish in this place. Not likely though. The other three however ordered the Shebion specials and were greeted with warm Baldov ham, pancakes, O.J., and Maruvian eggs.

She could barely finish the plate as she just watched them. Jin seemed to be eating at a normal enough pace, but Beltran and Rowan were scarfing food down at a rate that had the rest of the dining hall staring. They paused and looked at Niamh, cheeks slightly puffed, and tilted their heads in question. She merely shook her own head and forced the rest of the apple-glazed ham down.

The sound of soft low heeled dress shoes tapping as they reverberated on the pavement echoed a bit while Niamh walked. She loved her new outfit. It was a black skirt, low thigh length, with black suspenders. A white dress shirt, matching black tie and stockings. As a complimentary gift it had a silver anklet with it.
The only non clothing item she'd picked out when Beltran and Rowan had taken her to the clothing store. A set with a necklace and earrings, small and shaped like butterflies. Then there was her night gown. However, that event had almost led to a fight between the twins. Rowan hadn't been looking and just tossed the first night gown she'd glanced at over the dressing room door. Unfortunately, it had been exceedingly see through.

Beltran decided it was up to him to pick out suitable nightwear and even undergarments for her despite his flushed face. He'd settled on just a plain white one with a little pink bow in the middle of the chest area. It looked like it could double as a sundress really. He was just happy it wasn't too obscene. Thank the Kalina they'd sent Jin to get the supplies with Ryan's card first. This meant the clothes would be on their dime not his and that the little perv wouldn't be gawking at the tiny blue haired girl..

So as she dusted her black skirt off and nuzzled her bear, She found she was content when they met up with Jin.

The entire time the little quartet was heading about town, picking up supplies here and there, none of them noticed that Niamh was walking better and even any semblance of grave injury marks were beginning to fade. In fact it wasn't until they made it back to the hotel that they noticed anything.

Surrounding the Inn was a large crowd of people and in the center was Ryan, Kendra, and a uniformed officer. As they parted through the crowd Kendra pointed in their direction.

"There, there she is!" 

"Now Kendra, I thought you said the girl was half dead? She looks perfectly fine to me." Ryan merely rubbed the bite mark hidden underneath the long  sleeve of his navy blue shirt as the officer spoke.

"But Rigor She was I swear!" It was hard to miss the tone of worry emanating from the blond woman's voice. "She looked like she'd been beaten up really bad!" None of the others had thought to ask Niamh what had happened to her up until this point. Well, Beltran had but as it would be impossible unless the girl learned sign language or, he got a hold of some paper soon and found out if she could read. Scanning the small bit of space he looked for the girl and frowned when he noticed she wasn't right near them like she had been. It wasn't long before he found her though, actually it was almost instantly. Her watery blue hair was actually pretty hard to miss. She was staring at Rigor's chest into the badge making "fishie" faces into the shiny metal object with the glee that a child might have in such actions.

"Well," Rigor stated calmly with a soft smile and patting her head. "Hello there girlie, mind telling me your name?" Gold eyes flashed up into dark brown and Niamh's head cantered to the right.

"Akmar demands that you give Niamh the Shiny star. Surrender it," Here she paused as if having a mental debacle before finishing her statement. " Please." Now finished she nodded and held out her hand. Rigor just blinked and scratched his burgundy hair and let his own head canter to the left.

"Well now," He chuckled a bit and shook his head. "I'm afraid I can't do that not only will I get into trouble but I need it for work." He wondered for a few moments after just what the girl was doing. Surely the god of the dead wouldn't really need his badge, could he? Oh well, better to play along and than let her get out of sight before being able to question her. "I do have another one though." From out of his pocket he pulled out a fake sheriffs badge and handed it to her. "It's yours if you can answer some questions for me."

Niamh squealed as she snatched the tin badge from his fingers and then nodded to his statement about questions.

"Okay," He started watching her fiddle with it and then try to eat it. "Kendra says these boys here brought you to the inn in some pretty bad shape. They didn't hurt you did they?" Gold eyes flashed over to Kendra and Niamh shook her head.

"No They did not. They found me in the desert yup." She stopped playing with the badge long enough to look at the others and then back to Rigor. "They saved me, fed me, and even got me new clothes. They're all really nice." She looked over at Ryan. "Except him. He's a butt. A BUTT!" Nodding at her finished statement she skipped inside the inn followed by everyone else including a scowling Ryan. The town soon going back to it's usual sleepy self.

After that the day was uneventful and every one went about quietly getting preparations ready for the next day. The towing fee was paid and their vehicle was in the shop getting it's repairs. It wasn't until dinner a very important issue was raised.

"So what happens to Niamh once the trucks fixed and we have to leave?" Two pairs of starry night eyes and one set gold fell upon Jin. Ryan ate quietly before looking over.

"Put her in foster care, I'm sure some nice family will want an insane little nut job like her."Ryan fully meant it too as he just went back to quietly eating. Rowan and Beltran looked at each other knowing this was just going to cause another mini war between the two elementals.. Jin opened his mouth to speak but suddenly closed it as Niamh's stuffed bear came flying in full speed knocking Ryan out of his chair. "YOU'RE A BUTT!" She screamed before fuming in her chair her lips in a pout and her arms crossed.

The other three sets of eyes looked over the table edge at the brunette as he glowered upwards fighting off the dizzy spell of little bears dancing around his head.

"See? No way in hell we can keep an unstable brat like that about." The raven haired male gave an agitated sigh. Beltran's brow raised as if to say. 'Well you're not quite so stable yourself. '

 "Your are an ass you know that right?" rowan snickered and shook her head. Jin frowned and stood up heading up the stairs. Niamh blinked herself, stood, grabbed her bear, exchanged a glare of doom with Ryan, and followed Jin up stairs. Beltran and Rowan followed shortly leaving Ryan all alone in the dining area.

"Fucking great." He muttered under his breath.

~~An entire week went by without so much as one word between Jin and Ryan. The truck was fixed and they were all gathered into it. All of them including Niamh. She sat in the back with Beltran and Rowan, humming happily with the droning sound of the engine as her head bounced from side to side. Beltran all in all seemed to be in a good mood, after all it took some getting used being pounced on all the time by a short blue haired girl who believed she was the servant to the lord of the underworld. Occasionally he'd glance over at his twin and watch the other agitatedly mess with his own short spiky hair. Letting out a small sigh Beltran continued watching his sibling. Rowan only did this once in a great blue moon. More like, once a month and it really was depressing to watch the other internally struggling to figure out who she actually was. It wasn't until a water bubble popped over her head that Rowan stopped his self loathing and looked around.

"What the fuck yo?"

Beltran shrugged and pointed at Niamh, who had her hand over her mouth while giggling. " Oh, so it was you huh?" She plastered a smirk on her face before pulling Niamh to her and pulling out a tickle attack. Unfortunately it only resulted in more bubbles popping over the two in their owner's defense. By the time their little play fight ended the entire truck bed had become a shallow rectangular wading pool and both of them were laughing.

"Feeling better?" The bluenette asked with a soft smile. Rowan blinked at the question before giving a light nod.

"For now princess, for now.."

Niamh nodded and rolled her eyes. " Good for minute I thought I might have to pummel you with Teddy..."

She looked at the soggy bear and winced some. "Yeah wouldn't want Teddy wets-a lot to hit me with a full bladder." With another round of laughter they stopped into the next town on their map. Bentham the town of thieves.

There was a multitude of places to stay here. None of them were really where you wanted to be if you weren't in some sort of guild, and even then, being in the wrong guild could mean your life if you weren't careful. Their Inn was on the far side of town was at least within the boundaries of the place in town where there was "honor among thieves" to put it in lightly.

The Hnoss inn was a fortress actually,a few had tried to rob it and fewer returned. Those that did soon disappeared. Not that anyone went looking for them here, if one vagabond disappears another would move into his place and lays stake to all his holdings.

The rooms were sparsely decorated but not even the cracked red paint and over run ivy could disguise the aura of serenity that seemed to cling to this place with a death grip. It was here she found peace. Only after all the supplies were unloaded and every one was checked into their rooms did she allow himself to truly concentrate.

Moonlight drifted in from the balcony and a light breeze drifted through the open window to ruffle the sheer, floor length, white curtains. The black leather jacket was the first to go, tossed carelessly to the floor in a heap, next came the bland white tee to join it's other outer-layering. Slim fingers ran over crisp white bandages. Finding the place where they connected and pulling them away layer by clean layer.

The bandages soon joined it's companions on the floor as Rowan let out a light sigh and moved towards the window stepping out onto the balcony gave a sense of calm as her fingers traveled through her own hair and she looked out into the garden. At least here no one could really see that the the tall female wasn't really a "He" but really in fact a she. Her fingers held fast to the balcony railing as she continued to stare out into the garden watching the flowers and wondering just how everyone else around her was able to be so comfortable in the skin they were given.

With an another sigh the gun holsters on her hips were sent into the farthest wall with a resounding 'thud' that echoed long after the objects had hit the floor. Back to the nearest wall she sank to the floor herself, head in her hands and elbows to her knees. She was so absorbed again that she didn't notice the door opening or her brother entering until his arms were curled around her. He was the only one that understood her. She just leaned into him and cried into his shirt. Sometimes she wished she could just be normal and not as she was. Beltran sighed and rubbed her back, his fingertips trailing over scarred lettering and causing him to wince softly. This was the only time their bond was pretty much useless. When she was a raging storm of emotions. If he weren't mute he'd use his voice to tell her how much he loved her. That it was okay, she didn't have to be some frilly girly girl and that if the other's knew, they'd still love her as well. The binding's concerned him though, he knew deep down nothing would convince her to not wear them.
 As it stood the only thing he could do was hold her until she fell asleep, put her shirt back on, and tuck her into bed. He would've went back to his shared room, but his sis needed him. So he curled up next to her and held her tightly until morning.

~~One of their targets was here somewhere. The client hadn't been specific on whether it was a male or female they were after, it could literally be anyone. The only information they had to go on was the codename 'Lariat.' The four bounty hunters had split up to find this mystery person. Their fifth party member wasn't a part of this so she was told to stay put in one of their rented rooms. Not that Niamh hadn't argued about it long and hard with all of them. All of them, but Beltran.

All he'd had to do was hand her a book he'd found on sign language and gesture that he wanted her to read it and practice a few words for him. It hadn't been easy either, that thing had cost an arm and a leg almost as books were really expensive in this day and age. However the mute man felt it was necessary. It wasn't as if he could always write things down for Niamh. He and Ro had been able to teach her some letters. She'd nodded and holed up in their room quietly with a lightly flushed face and a small smile. She'd been doing that a lot the past few weeks. He was just glad she accepted what they did as a living.

The dark blue haired man let out a slightly agitated sigh. He couldn't help wondering if she was okay and he shouldn't be. He should be concentrating on the task at hand. On their target, and not letting his mind wander. His communicator beeped letting him know one of the others was close by and trying to speak with him. Lithe fingers absently answering it with a push of a button.

"It's a man, late thirties, early forties."

"Brown hair and eyes with glasses."

"Khaki pants, burgundy shirt, white lab coat."

Of course he was too distracted by his thoughts of those pretty golden eyes, petal pink lips, and an adorably flushed face to even hear what was being shouted through the device at him. Beltran shook his head to clear it of the turn his thoughts had taken. He shouldn't be thinking of Niamh like that. Hell, he shouldn't be thinking of her at all really. Not right now anyway, and yet his mind refused to give him peace. The tanned man bit on his lower lip as he shook his head more and tried to calm his breathing. His hand squeezing tightly on the pommel of his daggers.

"Bel! The target! He's heading right for you!"

What happened next was a blur. First he was trying to clear the image of those plush lips sensually cooing out his name. The next he was flat on his ass as the others raced by him. Rowan stopping to offer her hand and help him up. She'd also given him the same knowing look Jin had as the redhead ran past them. Their leader hadn't bothered to spare him a glance, but he knew he'd get an earful later for letting their target escape.

It had taken what felt like forever, to Niamh, for the guys to return. When they did though they all looked like hell. None of them were hurt too badly and for that she was grateful. A sigh escaped her as she took in their very scraped up and dirty appearances. Most of her concern lay with Beltran though and it showed as she rushed to him after getting a damp cloth to clean his face.

"What? No love for the rest of us princess? That's just cold." Her golden eyes flickered over to Rowan and she laughed.

"Oh, you jealous?" She smirked turning her attention from the mute man to his sister. Teasingly waving the cloth at her. "Does Ro want his face cleaned too?"

The short haired woman blinked and tilted her head. She was precariously tilted back in her chair with her feet propped on the table. If Niamh caused her to fall her chest might get jarred and her breasts could come unbound revealing her secret.

"Nah, Jin and Ryan might. But, I'll settle for a hug." She grinned. Niamh could only blink and then chuckle before hugging the gender confused woman. Not minding the dirt and dust on her in the least. She still thought the rough and tumble bounty hunter was a man. From her last few months of experience, men in this line of work, tended to get extremely dirty.

"Rowan, Jin, one of you take Niamh for a walk. I don't care who, hell, both of you can go. Beltran and I need to have a discussion." The trio looked up at Ryan. The mocha skinned female and the redhead knew what was coming. Beltran's gaze drifted to the floor. Niamh could only glance at all of them in confusion. Just what was going on here?

"C'mon Niamh, let's go get some take out. I've heard they have a place here that serves up old school recipes from when this place was still a colony." Jin forced a grin and lightly took her arm. "You too Ro, we might need help carrying it all back and with the amount you and Bels can eat that ox-like strength will be handy." Rowan nodded toJin's words before giving her brother an apologetic look and pat his back. The look she gave Ryan, before exiting the room, made it clear that if she found even one hair out of place she was going to shoot him.

Now that they were alone he frowned and looked at Beltran. "Just what the hell happened back there?" The raven haired male's frown deepened as he stared the mocha skinned male down. "How the hell did you let 'Lariat' slip past you?" He frowned more. Beltran's hands moved to try and explain, but his eyes stayed on the floor.

'Couldn't concentrate. I'm sorry.' His hands moved to sign. The answer only fueling Ryan's exasperation. 

"And just why was it you couldn't concentrate?" He narrowed his eyes before continuing. "It's the girl isn't it?" His eyes narrowed. Beltran could only hang his head and nod. Ryan let out a deep sigh. "Then you find a way to not let her distract you, and I want you off this mission."

Beltran's eyes widened and he shook his head trying to plead with the other to reconsider. His hands moving too fast to be read.

"You can stop trying, until you can do your job without distraction you're off missions all together and assigned to medic duty.. Have I made myself clear?" Ryan pushed up his glasses with the tip of his index finger as he looked at Beltran. The taller male just nodded while hanging his head in defeat.

Outside of the restaurant Niamh just looked at her walking companions. They'd been quiet the entire time and it worried her. Even more then whatever discussion Ryan had wanted to have with Bel. Sure, she'd seen Ro quiet. Jin however, was usually a chatter box. Her arms carrying part of their order she eventually slowed to a stop behind them. The lack of her steps clicking behind them made them both stop and turn around.

"Either one of you going to tell me what's going on?" Her normal smile settled into a frown. "I mean none of you came back in a celebratory mood so I take it the hunt didn't go so well?" Jin flinched and Rowan nodded a hand rubbing her neck tiredly with a free hand.

"Yeah, it was pretty bad. Ryan has to let the client know the target got away. Which means we have to start from square one on finding him now." She spoke low just enough so Niamh alone could hear. The girl's brow just raising softly.

"And this hasn't happened before?" The two hunters exchanged glances before shaking their heads.

"It's not that it hasn't, it's more it shouldn't have." Jin looked up at the evening sky and sighed. "It would've been an easy enough catch, if Bel hadn't lost his focus." Niamh just looked at the redhead confused.

"He wasn't paying attention?" She asked lightly. The other two nodded as they all began walking again.

"Yeah, as a result the target knocked him flat on his ass. Ryan'll probably take him off the mission as well." Golden eyes widened as Niamh looked between them.

"Why? For how long?"

"Who knows." Neither of them had the heart to tell her it was it was more than likely because of her. She seemed oblivious to the amount of attention the mute man gave her. Well, at least to what it could mean anyway. As far as their observations could tell the affection itself usually had her blushing.

"Maybe it's just stress." Jin ventured softly, hoping to change the subject. Rowan nodded and forced a light smile. Niamh just copied the nodding motion before speaking.

"Don't the rooms have holoviewers?" She blinked softly and looked at them. Green and blue orbs locked onto her gold ones as they nodded softly. "Then maybe, we should watch a movie or two on them. Instead of making a bunch of preparations and bringing in more stress." She smiled, proud of herself and her solution. Maybe it would reduce stress for everyone.

"That's a brilliant idea. We could hole up in one of the rooms and have a movie night. Don't expect Ryan to show though, man doesn't approve of relaxing during missions." Jin grinned as he held the door to the inn open for them.

"Pfft that butt, isn't invited then." The blue haired girl's comment brought a laugh from both bounty hunters. It amused them that she had never once called the older man by his name.

Once upstairs, Jin told the other two about Niamh's idea. Beltran just pat her head and nodded. Ryan, though narrowing his eyes, eventually gave up and agreed. Though he made it absolutely clear they weren't going to watch anything in his room. He planned to lock the door and enjoy any peace he could get to himself. Once he had his dinner, he scuttled off to enjoy a good book he'd nabbed on one of their missions that hadn't been part of the hunt.

That left the other four to curl up in one of the other two rooms and divide the rest of food up. Naturally by then the only two in need of a bath were Rowan and Jin. So after a short wait they all doubled up on one of the two beds in the room. Niamh contently snuggling under the covers with her bear. It seemed she hardly ate much of anything and usually let Rowan or Beltran finish what she couldn't eat.

There was a minor scuffle over the remote to change channels, but by the end of the night they were all passed out. Jin snuggled into Rowan, the tall female holding the shorter male and subconsciously tucking him under her chin. Niamh snuggled much the same way, tucked under Beltran's chin, her bear the only thing between them.

~~He had found her. He'd finally fucking found the little prat. René Bellview smirked watching the pale skinned girl happily walk with the moron's who'd been chasing him only days ago. The great Lariat would not be captured so easily. Still, the chocolate eyed man was sure it was her. Not many other people, male or female, had hair that shade of blue. It had been by chance he'd seen her as he gave them the slip for the second time.

0793, or 'Niamh' as Liam Connely had affectionately called her, would have been his by now if Connely hadn't gotten to her her first. René had spent days combing the lab wreckage looking for her.

Did these insects even know the value of that girl? He doubted it. Thousands of man hours had gone into making her. Most of them his own. The rail thin man set his binnoculars down and rubbed his chin. He could do with a good shave, alas he didn't have time now that the hunters had become his prey.

Now, he just had to get her alone. Picking the binnoculars back up he watched as she walked into a supply shop without the three men she seemed to be in the constant company with.

"Well, that was most certainly convenient." He chuckled to himself and made his way from the rooftop, keeping to the shadows as he made his way to the shop. After all, he didn't want to alert her little gaurd dogs now did he?

Once he was passed them he idly followed her, pretending to look at items until he 'accidentally' bumped into her. A soft smile plastering on his face as she immediately started apologizing and picking up the spilled contents of her basket trying to decipher between his items and her own.

"Oh, it's quite alright miss?" René paused as he watched her waiting for her to speak.

"Niamh." The golden eyed girl smiled back as she handed over the items to the man. It was only then that she got a good look at his face. Her smile faded a bit and she shivered internally. Niamh wasn't sure why but every fiber of her being told her she should fear this man.

"Miss Niamh." The brunnette nodded repeating her as he watched her look at him as if he were an unfamiliar danger. No matter, at least he'd confirmed it was her and could report back to the Lunar Global Corp. Yes, the LGC would be exstatic about this.

"Allow me to help you get, those to register no my sweet?" He chuckled and ushered the girl to the counter thick accent showing as his eyes watched her every move.

Though her feet followed his guidance her body stiffened at his words. It did so even more when he whispered something in her ear once they stopped at the register.

"You were a lot of trouble to track down 0793."

"W-what?" The blunette had heard every word he'd said but the numbers stuck out the most. However, when she turned to look he was already heading to the door with a dismissive wave. A breath she didn't know she had been holding released as Niamh fought to compose herself. Just who was that man and why did he frighten her so much?

While paying for the supplies, the sound of the bell above the door made her jolt and whip around in it's direction. The card in her hand nearly snapping in two. However, at the sight of Ro's familiar messy mop of hair she sighed in relief again.

"Yo,princess? What's taking so long? You find everything okay?" In truth they were staring to get a bit worried about her. Okay, Beltran was getting worried she and Jin figured Niamh was fine. It was just supplies after all.

Niamh nodded taking up the bags and passed one over to the taller woman, offering up an apologetic smile. "Yeah. Sorry to keep everyone waiting." She didn't say anything about the strange man she'd met, hoping the encounter was just a one time thing.

~~There were at least a dozen other things that Ryan could be worrying about right now. Where Lariat was, when he could count on Beltran to not think with his dick and get back on board for missions, what to get Jin for his birthday, when their next payment was going to be made to catch their target and so on and so fourth. What shouldn't be on his mind however was the sight his eyes had just come across not only moments before.

 How could those two keep such a secret from him? More to the point was how did he not know? Looking back it was almost inexcusable. Sure he'd always thought of the slight sharpshooter as a bit feminine, but he'd never suspected the man of actually being a woman. Even the voice had been deep like a tenor in tone. The raven haired male supposed he should have known though considering she'd been labeled by the court system they lived with as property by class standing. So he should've seen it in the paperwork. Hell, at the very least he probably should've paid more attention during the court trial that led her to being in his care. All he'd cared about then was well, that someone had killed off his cousin. He wasn't to much interested in the rest of the case details.

 It had been an accident that he had even found out at all. He inhaled deeply and let his thoughts drift back to moments before he had opened the door. They had gotten a call on another bounty. This time it wasn't for a person but an item. A collection of books that might be housed in a collective ruin on the eastern province. It would be a long trip but, they had to get cash some how until they caught Lariat. He'd told Jin to prepare their things and passed by Beltran trying to explain something to Niamh with his hands. Those two were getting too close in his opinion. Love in this proffession never lasted long. Shaking his head he moved to Rowan's room and knocked on the door. When there was no answer he simply opened the door and stepped in. To hell with privacy, he paid for the rooms.

 It was then he heard the sound of running water. Ah, so the mocha skinned man was in the shower. He'd only intended to poke his head in so Rowan could hear him properly over the sound of the water and the short-haired man's own deep caterwauling.

 "Hey, Ro we got a new job." However, no sooner had he spoken than the tall man had turned sharply and ended up slipping in the shower. It wasn't until after the fall that Ryan had gotten the view that had  revealed his best team member as a woman splayed out haphazardly in front of him.

 He would've helped her up, but his body was frozen in shock as he stared at her with wide ice blue eyes. Apparently she was was frozen as well. Though whether from shock or fear he couldn't tell, perhaps a combination of the two. When she didn't move for what seemed like an eternity he was sure it was fear. Still, it didn't stop the pale man's eyes from roaming along her darkly tanned skin.

 "Nice tits." Just like that he'd turned around and left the quivering woman on the floor under the water to collect herself.

 "Nice tits? Really? That's all you could get out genius?" Ryan sighed running a hand through his raven locks and as he lightly hit his head on the door he'd slumped against in his own room. He should've flipped out about such a big secret being kept from him. What else were they hiding? Were they secretly working for the Lunar Free Army? Dear Kalina he'd kill them if they were. Of all the things he could have said that was what his brain chose to relay to his mouth to say? He continued to lightly let his head hit the door as he tried to clear the image of his comrade nude and sprawled on the floor out of his head.
 "What the fuck is wrong with me?"