Fact Or...Friction?

[King Vegas]

Following...

Echo

...A circular motion...The ceiling fan continued it's movement above as he struggled to regain focus after awaking from...Slumber? A deep breathe was exhaled as he slowly arose from his laying position, his eyes quickly scanning the confines of...His suite?

No...This wasn't his suite in fact. The precise same make up as each and every suite inside of the structure that was the Angel Tower yet...The arrangement was slightly different he could clearly see. FAMILIAr it seemed indeed as he pushed himself into a sitting position, his legs slowly making their way towards the side of the bed, and only seconds later his feet came in contact with the carpet beneath...

His efforts slowly came to a halt as his head seemingly on a swivel, further surveyed the scenery of the room in question. He was quite familiar with this suite in fact and the more he observed the more he realized that he had found himself within the confines of...Her...Suite...

The woman with whom had spoken with the previous night before or...The woman he had longed to lay eyes upon for such a long time before that moment...The woman he had once again...Seemingly and genuinely proclaimed his love for...Or...Did he?

Was it even reality? Was it something that he had concocted in his own sinister mind as a means of self consoling over past decisions and broken relationships? Who knew at this point in time with the current state of mind of the remaining Familia members. Any and everything seemed to be a mystery as of late and this was no exception it seemed. His sights continued to scan the suite, quickly coming to the conclusion that perhaps it was in fact all a hallucination...Althought...An extremely realistic one, his thought process could not produce another explaination for the events that "happened" mere hours ago...

Slowly rising from the bed to his feet, he could feel a slight throbbing pain towards the back of his head, his arm slowly raising as the frown evidenced the pain felt from it, quickly retrieving his different articles of clothing from about the confines of the room, reassembling his attire within minutes it seemed. He could only think HOW "realistic" the night before had gotten for him at this point. He shuddered to even think about it as his steps continued towards the door to make his exit, pausing before the mirror on the wall adjacent to the door itself...His gaze fell upon the image of himself as a deep breath ensued...The demeanor in his facial features suggested large amounts of stress for the man who would be King...Something he readily had admitted to himself at this point. He only wished no more "hallucinations" would occur during such a trying time for his family and he.

Within seconds his arm extended, grabbing ahold of the doorknob and opening the path into the corridor in which he had traveled the previous night before, as he closed the door back behind him, his eyes landing upon the gold plated numbers dead center of it as they had the night before...A brief pause ensued before turning and taking his leave, his steps carrying him towards the elevator located at the end of the corridor. The strange stares from the workers here in the Tower came just as he knew they would during his small trek towards the hopefully awaiting car.

Within moments he had arrived, releasing a long sigh in relief that none of the workers in question had inquired of just WHY he was seen making an exit from the former suite of one Ms. Dayna Mariano. Pressing the required button to call forth the car, his arm raised slightly, adjusting the breast coat of his attire before running a hand through his long dark brown hair as if to make himself at least a little bit more...Presentable...Luckily for the King, the car arrived a few moments later, causing for another sigh to escape his lips before the doors began to slide open to allow for his entry. His vision had remained fixated on the carpet below the during his period of waiting, rising once again to make eye contact with the opening doors. They seemed to part at a slower pace than usual, and within seconds his eyes were met with those of additional Tower workers, who all seemed to be exiting the car at this current time. He slightly stepped aside, motioning his hand as if to usher the ladies from the elevator. A smirk on his face, he watched on as each of the four ladies stepped off of the car in sequence. Upon the exit fo the last, a slight head nod in their direction was given before turning back towards the elevator to make eye contact with...

*Sigh* As if the surprises haven't been plentiful enough thus far...


[/font]

[hellion]

"Oh shut up Cross. And don't act as if you're not happy to see me again. You never could resist a pretty face could you? So, are you going to stand there or are you going down?"

Quickly realizing how that last question could have been taken by a man such as Cross she quickly responds once more.

"Don't answer that last part but...Well?"

[King Vegas]

With the slightest shake of his head he stepped into the elevator, his eyes remaining locked with hers as he took his place beside her, speaking as she reached over towards the panel to send them on their way...

*Sigh* You know...I'm beginning to think I have the absolute worse luck of any being on the face of this planet?...So tell me...Why are YOU here? I assure you I don't require even MORE confusion and uncertainty during this tumultuous time Taylor.

[hellion]

She shook her head as the elevator began to take them on their way. Glancing over towards him with a raised eyebrow she finally spoke up.

"No games Cross. You called and said to come as soon as possible so here I am. So what's this major emergency that required me to travel all the way from Chicago? Please don't tell me this was some ploy to get me back because I WILL let one of these heels meet your groin. Again."

[King Vegas]

Heh Heh...That's...That's funny Taylor. Get you back?...Please, tell me another. But in all seriousness, I don't have much time for horseplay so if you will...?

Glancing down at the watch on his wrist he awaits her response. There were many things that were in need of his attention, and it certainly wasn't the time for sex deprived old flames to make their wants or needs known to an unwilling party. Damn women.

[hellion]

"You have got to be kidding me Cross. YOU called me just yesterday morning and left a message for me to get here to Toronto as soon as possible. Remember? You asked about our daughter? Madison? Have you been drinking or something?"

[King Vegas]

A sudden look of surprise gracing the King's face, his head turned slightly, noticing the genuine look of apparent honesty in her words. Slowly turning his body to fully face the young woman whom he once called his own, he retorts...

You're...Serious aren't you?

[hellion]

"Uh yes? I know your annoying voice and personality all too well. There's no confusing that Cross."

She stands motionless as her mouth slowly drops open seeing the look in his face. He seemed to be being truthful at the moment in time. Which was surprising enough for Cross Genovese. Something she knew all too well. Quickly glancing towards the slowly dwindling numbers of the elevators control panel, her vision then turned back towards her former lover.

"Cross? What's going on here? You look like you've seen a ghost almost."

[King Vegas]

His thoughts quickly revert to the events of the past few weeks...Those that led to this moment in time, including his "encounter" just the night before. Slightly clearing his throat he spoke initially underneath his breath...

Actually I may have...*Sigh*...

A moment of silence ensued. He could feel her awaiting blue eyes focused intently on his person as if awaiting confirmation of something it seemed. No words were spoken for what must have seemed like an eternity to her before he turned to face her once more...The slightest trace of panic and concern evident in his words...

You...You should get Madison and leave Taylor. As soon as humanly possible. I fear it's not safe for either of you here in Toronto. You shouldn't have come...

[hellion]

"Not...Safe? What are you..."

Before she could even get her sentence out of her mouth, the elevator doors were opening, and one of Cross' hands firmly placed on her arm, and instantly began pushing her out of the car, as if forcing her towards the awaiting exit a few dozen yards away.

"Wh...Wait!...Cross what's going on here?!!?"

[King Vegas]

JUST what I just told you Taylor. You're leaving...Now!...

His efforts continued, pushing the two of them closer and closer towards the door, as she slightly struggled to fight him off almost, clearly still confused as to why she had to make such a early exit from Toronto. Within moments they were at the double doors of the Tower's exit, his opposite arm reaching out as he opened the doors for his former significant other, almost pushing her through them forcefully. Almost but not quite stumbling she found herself now standing outside of the Tower, glaring back towards her former beau with a understandable look of anger and confusion in her facial features...

Get her and LEAVE...Taylor. Just do what I tell you and do it quick. I'm not going to say it again. I CAN remove you myself if need be. Heed my warnings and get OUR daughter to safety. I expect to hear that you're leaving Toronto within the next few hours. Understood?

[hellion]

She turned back to Cross after gathering herself as much as she could. She stared at his facial expression from behind her sunglasses as she could plainly see the worry in his demeanor. Whatever it was that had him so worked up must have been geuinely dangerous if he was being this stern and forward about her leaving the city immediately.

"A...Alright Cross. We're leaving. I just...Have to pick up Madison at a friends and...We should be gone within the next few hours..."

Receiving a head nod from him she turned, beginning a fast paced walk down the stairs of the Tower. Suddenly her steps stopped as she turned back to notice he had stepped fully out of the door by this time, as if watching over her. She paused momentarily in her exit, but only for a brief moment, speaking back towards his location...

"And Cross...?Whatever it is...You make sure you can get out of this city in one piece as well. "

Another head nod from him, and within seconds she was turning back towards the parking area directly outside of the Tower, quickly making her way towards her awaiting car to make a safe exit from the city of Toronto...Or at least she hoped.

[King Vegas]

He slowly backpedaled back to the door of the Tower, allowing for a few of the comers and goers to make their way through before stepping back inside himself. Before his steps could even carry him half way back towards the elevator he had just stepped off no more than five minutes before the cell phone on his hip began vibrating. His steps stopped instantly as his arm lowered towards it as his head seemingly on a swivel began surverying the lobby itself, as if searching for someone. Bringing the phone to his ear slowly he received the call finally...

Cross here.

[Kasino Royale]

Yo V! Where the hell you at man? We been tryin' to get in contact with you. Some shit went down with ya' boy Raven back home man. Ya' need to check on ya' boy.

[King Vegas]

A deep sigh escaped his lips as his hand found it's way to his forehead, his eyes closing slowly before speaking into the phone in response...Another man down? His thoughts had never thought of their Regime counterparts being in danger as well...

Damnit...Raven...How bad is it?

[Kasino Royale]

Well...

+He pauses for a second, glancing back towards the next room where Stacie was at right now. His footsteps started towards the opposite side of the room in which he was as if to get a bit more privacy for the call in question. Once there he turns, keeping his eyes on the doorway so he wasn't interrupted by her catching wind of his words...+

Shit...From what Jordan told Laura, dude is roughed up pretty damn bad actually. Fucked up and said some son of a bitch stabbed the man through his fuckin' hand or somethin'. Sick shit if you ask me. When you gettin' here man?

[King Vegas]

Proceeding towards the elevator once again he responds...

Who the hell is Jor...Wait...Wait...Stabbed through his hand?

Awaiting the big man's response he turned slowly back towards the steps of the Tower...His eyes eventually making contact with the vehicle Taylor was driving making it's exit from the parking area...That couldn't have been...A coincidence?

[Kasino Royale]

Yep. Right through the...

*CLICK*

+The big man's eyes widened at the sound of the call being ended suddenly and...+

V?....V?!!?...God damn...

TO BE CONTINUED...