Finding Serenity

Stories

Kei hung up the phone, running a hand through his hair he let out a sigh. He pulled himself off the couch and went to Rena's door.

He gave it a knock "Dove? Are you awake? I'm going to run up to the shop to get your car. Azul said he'd drive it back for you."

He wasn't expecting a reply, so he was shocked when the door opened revealing a disheveled Rena.

"Will...Will you hurry back?" She asked with a sadness in her voice.

"I'll be back before you know it." He smiled.

She gave a tired, half smile back. "Thanks Kei. I'm going to lay back in bed. Just let me know when you get back."

"Of course, my dove," he said as he placed a soft kiss on her forehead. "Promise me you'll stay in bed. Don't get up for any reason. Call me if you need me. I'll be here in a flash."

She giggled lightly, "Kei you're going 5 minutes up the road just to get my car. I'll be fine."

"Right," he said as he turned towards the door. "Better not keep that pyromaniac waiting or you won't have a job to go to anymore."

Once Kei was out the door, Rena dropped herself back in bed. She tried to go back to sleep but couldn't. She just lost herself in her thoughts and memories of the past. She curled into a ball as silent tears dripped down her face. Where are you Clark? 

~~

Kei hurried to the shop and rushed in. Finding Azul at a table he joined him, surprised he actually had a laptop.

"Well, let's get to the point." Kei said as he sat down.

"Well hello to you too. So glad you could make it. While you were off doing who knows what, I already got a lead." Azul smirked.

"Whoa, whoa, slow down. A lead to what? And how so fast? Didn't you just get the information?" Kei asked, surprised.

"I have my resources. Now, take a look at this shit show." Azul said as he turned the laptop towards Kei.

Kei read the details of the operation, immediately tensing up at the mention of Liam Whitlock, his expression growing more tense with each page.

"What the fuck was that?" Kei growled.

"Yeah I know right. They really don't know how to run a proper mission." Azul rolled his eyes.

"So this lead of yours?" Kei asked.

Azul turned the computer back towards him. "Yeah so I noticed they mentioned something about an ally in the field. The former mafia doctor that was forced into hiding. She's our lead. I don't know if they've talked to her yet but she seemed to be helping him out when he was there."

"So we find the doctor, we find more clues?" Kei asked.

"Yup. And due to my past I happened to know another doctor that gave me some slightly helpful information." Azul grinned.

"When are we going to check it out?" Kei asked determinedly.

"Ah there's no we. You need to stay here and protect little miss damsel. Not sure if the old man told you who her father is?"

"No. He did say that this whole mission was to protect her from him but... I didn't let him finish explaining. I was too pissed and chased after her." Kei said as he balled his fist.

"Kei, her father is.. Liam Whitlock." Azul said seriously.

Kei's eyes went wide, he shot up glaring at Azul. "No. You're kidding. Please tell me your fucking joking. That.. It can't..no."

"It is. From what I can tell, she has no idea. It's likely it was one of those one night stand type situations. Don't hold it against her. From the details of this mission, I think Clark took her place and Whitlock had no idea. If he found out the truth and that's why Clark is missing, he might be holding that grudge. In the mind of a criminal like him, he'll come after her believing he still deserves what he is owed. What he'll do, that's hard to say."

Kei sat back down and ran both his hands through his hair. "Shit. Why is this so complicated? Why'd she have to be tied into all of this? FUCK!"

"Look man, This is going to get messy. There's no doubt about that. I'm going to follow up on the leads, see if I can find Dr. Vasquez. You just need to play the hero and keep the damsel safe. Oh and it should go without saying but don't give her any details. The less she knows the better." Azul said as he packed up his things.

"Right. If she's in that much danger then I'll protect her." Kei said as he got up, handing Azul the keys to Rena's car.

"Hey, birdbrain, I'm only going to say this once. Be careful. Don't get yourself hurt, physically or mentally."

"Mentally?"

"Anyone can see that your "crush" isn't just that anymore. I'm just saying be careful. If Clark was her first love and he did all this for her then they had something deep. That's hard to let go. Don't let your emotions get in the way of doing the right thing."

Kei flinched at his words but deep down he knew he was right. "Wow Azul, that was really profound. Who knew you had a soft spot let alone that you'd be worried about me." he teased as he tossed an arm around Azuls shoulder.

"Tell anyone and I will kill you."Azul growled. "Now let's go drop off this car. I've got shit to do and I've been out in public too long."

~~

Once Kei got back to Rena's, something felt off. He could hear sniffles coming from Rena's room. He dropped his keys and rushed into her room.

"Rena!" he yelled as he ran in.

She was curled up in her bed softly crying. When he came in she quickly wiped her tears and sat up straight.

He sat down on the bed next to her, concern in his eyes as she curled her knees up to her chest.

"How long have you been crying?" He asked.

"Since you left.." she answered, looking away.

He reached out and pulled her into his chest. "I'm sorry. Azul had some stuff he wanted to talk to me about. I'm here now. I'm sorry I was gone so long." he whispered.

"Kei, you don't need to be sorry. I just.. I thought I was doing better. I thought I was getting over him. But seeing Mr. Emerson brought up so many memories I had buried deep. And now I have so many questions. Why did he go undercover? To protect me? Protect me from what? My so-called Father? I don't even know who my father is.." She spoke as she calmed herself down from crying.

So she doesn't know who her father is, that's good. She doesn't need to know. 

"He had his reasons, he did it for you. That's what you should hold onto. Even as kids he was strong willed. He did everything with purpose. I think that's where I got it from. I may have only lived with them for two years but he really made a difference in that short amount of time." Kei said softly, rubbing her back.

"Kei?" she whispered.

"Yes dove?" he whispered back.

"Can you tell me stories from when you were kids? I want to know what he was like before I met him."

"Of course." he smiled.

Kei spent the rest of the afternoon telling Rena stories from his childhood. Her heart fluttered as he spoke, causing a warmth to envelope her. She soon drifted off to sleep, her head resting on Kei's chest.