Vagabond Faces: Motion Minus Speed

"Hey Rio," he said struggling to hold the overexcited dog in his arms.

Tera had been on the couch asleep, but was attempting to sit up. "How'd it go?"

The dog jumped from his arms and sprinted away up the stairs to the rooms. "Couldn't have been easier," Vince sat on a chair across from Tera and let his body go limp. She was sitting up now and ran her fingers through her long, beautiful brown hair. Faintly the sound of Lewis battling with the spaceship's engine somewhere beneath them was audible. "Chased Xavier for three weeks, almost died a few times and the whole thing ends in an alley where I pop three bullets into his chest. Seems like an empty ending doesn't it?"

"That's the price you pay for picking such a boring job." She turned to the Computer Interface Unit that was on, stared at the hologram for a moment, then touched the floating image. It swirled and changed to a different format, but Vince couldn't make out the words. "Honestly, I don't see what you guys see in this profession. You risk your lives for chump change-"

"-the bounty tonight was worth three grand." Tera pressed the hologram again and there was the same mix of screens. "Come to think of it, it wasn't such an empty ending."

Vince stood up and started walking toward the ancient refrigerator.

"Might as well forget it." Vince turned and looked at Tera with disgust. "There's three mouths to feed on this ship now instead of two, chief. Get used to it."

"Screw that. I'll just throw you off the ship."

Tera smiled at his teasing. The past week they had found too much common ground, though neither one would admit it. Beside that these guys need to be humored a little bit. Especially Lewis.

"I already paid you two grand to take me to Six Station."

"Never said you'd make it in one piece," she laughed and he sat down next to her on the couch. He sank in the brown cushioning and scratched his head as he looked at the hologram. "I'll have to go get some food later today."

"Why don't we go out and celebrate?"

Celebrating wasn't something he and Lewis usually did, but he liked the idea. "No, as much as I'd like a real meal for once. The money from this bounty may have to last us a while. What're you looking for anyway?"

"Trying to check my messages. I don't think I have any though."

"That sounds about right," Tera reached over to touch the hologram again, and Vince brought his hand over to the small of her back. She noticed and turned her head to look at Vince. Before she had a chance to protest he was tickling her. She shot back and grabbed the other hand that reached around her waist to do the same. Laughing she fell off the couch, which was beyond the young bounty hunter's reach. "After all, who'd want to send you a message?"

He messed up her hair and long strands of it went over her eyes. She sat back up on the couch, punched him in the leg, and said "Vince Tagget, you're terrible."

Vince brushed her hair aside and behind her ear. He couldn't help but stare at her beautiful green eyes and light brown hair and smile back. He put his hand on her leg with the slightest pressure that sent chills up and down her body. "You're not any better."

"Guess we're both a couple of hopeless smartasses," she moved closer to him, wrapped her arms around his, and rested her head on his shoulder.

"Guess so." He couldn't stop smiling, something he hadn't done much of lately. Maybe this isn't such a good idea though. She's going to leave eventually. Tera sighed. Ah, screw it. You like her, and whatever happens happens.

"Vince." Though that philosophy hasn't worked lately. Much. Ever...

"Yeah." He propped his feet on the table; she pushed the button to turn off the CI unit with her foot and did the same.

"Who was Xavier?"

"Gun candy."

Tera smiled. "I noticed that he was born in the same section of Three Station as you and I wondered-"

Vince scratched the back of his head and sighed. "Uh huh. You were looking at the wanted list again weren't you?"

"Not a crime is it?"

"No, I just can't understand your fascination with-"