An Encounter

She gave a contorted twisted smile on her face as she gazed down at Lance with eyes that looked dead. Her eyes had always been like this, though it was nothing compared to the way they appeared now. The coldness of her smile chilled him and his breath hitched in his throat. He felt like he could barely breathe, but somehow the fear still remained when she spoke.

"What did you say your name was again?" Lance asked.

She didn't answer for several seconds, but he kept his breathing steady to try and ease his pounding heart. His fingers gripped the bed sheets below him, trying to ground himself. "Come on… you can tell me." Lance said quietly.

Maren's gaurds surrounded Lance holding guns out. Their faces were grim and their hands shook, but none dared make any moves toward Lance other than those holding the weapons. Even if he tried to escape there would be no where for him to run to.

The only place left was up – and if Maren wanted him dead then she'd kill him regardless. So, Lance stayed put while Maren moved closer. He took a few slow breaths, trying to calm his racing heart.

"Maren Black," she said finally answering. Her eyes scanned over Lance with an uninterested expression before she turned away and walked back toward the door.

"So you are the daughter of the Black Bear comapny?" He questioned.

She stopped in her tracks, her hand resting on the handle of the door. Her lips curled upward into another malicious smile before returning it back onto her face.

"Not yet. But I will one day be…"

"Can I come with you?" Lance questioned. Maren's face fell for a moment but quickly returned to her previous smug appearance.

"I don't think so." She replied, her gaze never leaving him. He clenched his jaw and forced himself to take a deep breath.

"My father is not someone who appreciates people running free." "No, but he likes to keep tabs on people that he thinks might betray him. Just in case he needs them again later." Lance continued. A part of him felt guilty for using that knowledge against the girl, but he also knew that his words weren't without truth.

He couldn't imagine what it would feel like to have to watch everyone around you turn around and stab you in the back because they believed you betrayed them. No doubt Maren would agree to that description, too.

"Well, I'll keep my ears open if he comes asking about you. I'm sure we'll cross paths eventually anyway." She said giving Lance a mocking nod of approval. Without another word she opened the door and stepped through.

Her men followed behind her and shut the door behind them once they were all gone. Lance stared at the door. Shiro came forward watching the anger grow on the boys face until his features hardened.

"You're a real piece of work, Lance," he muttered.

"I am going with or without you!" Lance snapped. He stood from the bed and glared at Shiro, daring him to speak against it.

Shiro shook his head, "It won't do anyone any good."

"Then I guess it's a good thing you're coming with me." Lance spat.

A horror unreeling in his mind of how he is stuck in a place meant as a villain hide out , surrounded by enemies and the people who would most likely kill him, made every fiber in Shiro's body want to just curl up in a ball and never get up.

Yet Shiro's face held an iron resolve. It wasn't pity in Shiro's eyes, it was hard determination. Lance closed his eyes and nodded slowly.

"Lets make this a slow day." Lance sighed.

If there was anything he could count on it was Shiro being willing to go along with whatever plan he has.

"Ah yes, please! No more weird actions today please!" Shiro pleaded.

He sounded tired already. They hadn't done much besides sitting around talking to fill up the time.It seemed that even talking about normal things got difficult as soon as Lance started getting emotional. It made him wonder if this trip is what he was actually planning on doing in the first place.

"I really hate being here...can you come with me, Shiro?" Lance questioned.

Shiro raised an eyebrow, "Doing anything else feels better right now? And trust me when I say I know exactly how much you hate this place."

Lance nodded, knowing that Shiro wouldn't let him talk him into anything. There was no point in arguing.

"Besides…" Shiro paused.

"Besides what?" Lance questioned. Shiro shifted uncomfortably in his chair. Lance sat back down next to Shiro feeling oddly disappointed. What would he do if Shiro decided he didn't want to help after all?

"I've been meaning to tell you something for a little while now, but it slipped my mind."

"Is it related to why you're not allowed outside the compound?" Lance guessed. Shiro looked at him surprised.

Lance shrugged, "You haven't exactly been subtle about keeping it from me."

Shiro looked down, "Yeah… I didn't know you noticed."

Shaking his head, Lance chuckled, "Don't worry about it. Besides, you're probably the safest person to tell about it now."

Shiro looked up with curiosity written across his face. Lance gave him a reassuring smile.

"I used to be a Dad...but I fear most of all that the mother of my children has re-married, but I wouldn't want her at all to be lonely so..." He trailed off.

"Don't you miss them?" Lance pondered.

Shiro looked away embarrassed.

"I know it must seem stupid, since I never cared what the kids did. Now that it's over I realize just how much I missed them." He muttered.

Lance leaned back on his bed as if Shiro's words had given him the answer to some huge question. "But… you said you were happy?"

Shiro's smile returned, "Yeah. That I was."

"I see..." Lance answered. He smiled faintly in return.

"So where do you want to go?" Shiro asked. Lance glanced around the room thinking.