Hearts of Delmar 2... ( 2 many Nicoles)

Chapter 7: Lawyering up

"So..." Vinn said, Nicole dragging her belongings into the mansion for safety. "This is fun. Back at your friend's house again, staying here for a while. Just like old times, rocking the couch next to Mel's room. It's almost like we just don't have a house of our own." He smiled. "Or any privacy of any kind."

"Honey, it's just because I know the security layout of our house and so does she. It's safer to have everyone in one house, where nobody here has a clone that knows emergency escape routs and entry codes. There are cameras here, an EM blocker... Jack."

"Yea, Jack made it a damn spy house. I get it. Just seems like every time we get to be alone, get our home settled in...IT shows up like a big hairy devil after your soul."

"He really scares you doesn't he?" she said petting his big floppy ear.

"He really doesn't scare you?" he asked. "Nicole, you should be terrified that he's back. Half of you don't seem as sacred as you should be, the other half is doing him, and you're more afraid of her. I don't get it. You were scared of being alone, and you conquered that, you were scared of marriage, and you conquered that, you faced your worst fear of the water and swam out stronger, and you faced Kraken 3 times and was less afraid than I was facing him once. Why does she terrify you?"

"It's hard to explain." she sighed.

"Could you try?"

"I'm not sure if I understand it enough myself to explain I to you. What if she isn't that different from me?"

"She seems pretty different, and not in the good way like when I first met you and told ya that you were different. This is the kinda different people say when they don't wanna say the word insane. Every time you face something, you come back stronger."

"So did she." Nicole said softly.

Evil Nicole stood judging, staring at the robot.

"I dunno. She still looks a bit aggressive and militant for a lawyer."

"I disagree. Military lawyers look exactly like that. The purple skin isn't common, but this is space, so anything is possible. We'll just say she's Xeroxian ex military, we hired her because she's a cutthroat purplebitch and respects my military record. Easy cover."

"What about the language issue? They said she was a clean slate, but obviously the dominatrix program is still there. I thought sexy lawyer patch was supposed to override the previous one."

"Well, that's why we got her cheap, I guess. Faulty personality switching. Robot...will you defend Nicole in her legal matters?" asked Hyde.

"I will defend Nicole on all matters of legal property rights and protect her life and safety at all cost, you pathetic worm." She said mostly professionally.

"Yea, that's definitely gonna look odd. Unfortunately, there's no time for a new robot. Since I have no identity, we only have Delmarian credits now. Nicole froze her assets an hour after you did the video call."

"Of course I would. A bank or ATM face and retinal scanner would work for us both. She's not taking any chances."

"Maybe if we only have the robot address THEM and not us, she'll just seem really pissed off, and the dom add-ons will add to the intimidation." Hyde shrugged.

"You think you can handle that, robot?" Nicole asked.

"Of course I can, bitch. I can handle anything this case can throw at me. There won't be a dime left when those insolent bastards are done, and they can lick my boot." She calmly said.

"I still think it's passable as a military lawyer." Hyde muttered.

The blackened stone deck of the ship, or house, or houseship, stood in contrast in the morning red sun, A purple woman in a suit, 6 foot and oddly buff stared blankly, as Evil Nicole and Hyde stood behind her. A shuttle pod shimmered, passing through the energy shielding and landing on the flat surface. Nicole and Vinn stepped out, followed by their lawyer, a man with a gray beard and briefcase.