Princess

Note: ::insert the "I don't own Street Fighter or King of Fighters OR
Fatal Fury, but this is my fic. I make no money off of this, only
hopefully happy feedback" note here::

Princess: London Splendor
By: Domino

Geese Howard sat in his office. He took in the tranquility of the quiet
morning as he looked around the generous space of his penthouse quality suite.
He leaned back, enjoying the sound of the leather creaking, the squeaking of the
seat itself, and the sheer silence of the rest of the room. He lifted up a mug
of freshly brewed coffee from his desk blotter, chuckling to himself over the
kitschy humor on the ceramic surface.

"I don't do mornings" were the words melted into the surface along with the image
of a very irritated-looking cartoon cat next to the words. Geese brought the
mug to his waiting lips, savoring the warm, bitter, earthy flavor as he sipped
slowly. He wanted to take advantage of every peaceful second. He smiled to
himself. Everything was perfect...

"I can't believe you did that to me, Billy Kane! You're such a lech!"
The heavily accented shouting shattered Geese's paradise. He froze in place as
he saw Vega La Salda, his personal secretary, storm into his office, the look of
anger and embarassment painted across hiuallually fine features.

Two seconds later, "Vega, Princess.. I didn't do anythin' wrong!" Another man
entered Geese's office, something which was now devoid of the long-awaited peace.
"I just wrapped my arm around you.. It's not my fault me hand brushed against
your rear when I did so!" The other man was Geese's trusted bodyguard Billy Kane,
and he was trying his best to clear his good name with the young secretary.

Vega turned around viciously, "I don't appreciate being groped in public!
Especially not in front of the rest of the employees on the elevator!"

"I didn't grope you! You're blowin' this way outta proportion, luv! An' wot's
wrong wif showin' the man I love a little affection in public? Are you
ashamed of havin' me as your boyfriend?!" Billy crossed his arms, scowling at the
other man.

Geese sat there with a blank look on his face, the coffee cup still in his
hand, "Can you two please leave your personal problems at home? Some people are
here to work and not argue about who groped who in public."

The boss's voice made both Billy and Vega stop. They turned to Geese, both with
guilty looks on their faces. Billy was the first to speak up, "....... I didn't
grope him, sir."

"You did too!" Vega snapped back.

"I did not! You woulda known if I was gropin' you... like this..." Billy's
hand darted out and cupped Vega's right cheek, "Ooooh nice... There! I
groped you!"

"BILLY!" Vega squealed as he smacked Billy's hand away from his backside,
"You pervert!"

"Knock it off!" Geese's voice elevated, his coffee mug nearly slamming onto the
desk, immediately catching the attention of his two workers, "Listen to me.
Kane, go back outside and make sure the fucking perimiter is secu La La Salda,
I believe I asked you to print out some documents earlier. Now get to work
before I decide to throw one of you off the roof of the tower."

The British bodyguard looked at Geese and nodded quickly, "At once, sir!" He
fled the office while leaving Vega behind.

Vega nodded to Geese as well, "They will be done within the hour, Senor
Howard..." He left the room just as quickly as Billy did.

Geese sighed as he sat back, rubbing his throbbing temple, "Those two....
they really annoy me sometimes..."

~*~

A few hours after Vega arrived home the phone rang. Lily, Billy's
younger sister, answered, "'ello?"

//"Lily, it's me. Listen, I gotta stay late due to Mr. Howard's request.
You go ahead and have dinner wifout me."//

"But Billy..."

//"'m sorry, sis. I'll try to be home before midnight. Tell Vega I love him."//

"I will, Billy. Love you, bro."

//"Love ya too, sis. Cheers."//

"Bye," She sighed and hung up.

Vega looked up from his magazine, "Was that Billy?"

Lily nodded sadly, "Yes. He said he'll be home late again. I guess we should
go ahead and eat." She walked towards the table, "He wanted me to tell you he
loves you."

"That was sweet of him," Vega smiled a little. He sat down to the dinner
Lily prepared and ate in silence with his "adoptive" older sister.

~*~

Shortly after midnight the master bedroom's door opened. Vega shot up to
see a familiar shadow in the doorway, "'m sorry, Vega... didn't mean to
wake you."

Vega took a deep sigh of relief, "Billy...."

The older man closed the door quietly behind him and sat on the bed, and soon
warm, slender arms wrapped themselves loosely around his neck, "and I'm sorry
about earlier today... I shoulda been more courteous of your feelin's."

Vega kissed Billy's cheek and took in the faint scent of his lover's cologne,
"Apology accepted. I prefer keeping such activities to our bedroom."

"Is that so?" Billy smiled while he felt his stripped bandana being pulled off,
revealing his slightly mussed blonde hair. "I need a haircut." He ran a hand
through the slightly wet tresses.

"I like it personally... not too long, but not really short," Vega crawled into
Billy's lap, his eyes gluedBillBilly's bare chest, "I see you like my surprise."
Vega lazily ran a hand over a yellow racing stripe, something that was a part of
the black leather jacket he gave to Billy as a gift.

Billy smiled and unzipped a little more of the sleeve, revealing the red/fuschia
lining inside, "Of course.. and I still wear the matchin' cuffs." He pointed
to the similarly-shaded red cuffs with yellow hearts adorning both of his wrists.

"I was afraid they were too feminine, but you wear them so well," Vega
brought one of Billy's wrists to his lips and kissed it gently.

"Vega...." Billy frowned a little, "I would love to have you tonight, but...
we both gotta be up early.." He bit his lip, knowing Vega would take that as an
insult, so he quickly added, "But that doesn't mean we can't have a little fun."

The young Spaniard brightened up quite a bit, "What did you have in mind?"

Those curious words made Billy grin, "You'll see..."

Billy crawled back onto the bed a little, having Vega straddle his
lap. He unzipped his black leather pants, taking out his aching length, "I
know I'll have to take these to get cleaned after tonight.." he smiled, reaching
for Vega's grey sweatpants.

Very slowly he eased Vega out of his pants, lifting up his shirt a little to
stroke Vega's hardening length. Soon Billy pressed their arousals together,
savoring the sudden heat between him and his beloved Vega.

Vega shut his eyes and bit his lower lip when he rubbed against Billy, moving
slowly up and down, "Billy, that feels...."

"Wonderful?" Billy finished for him while he used his hand to stroke them off
together. The delicious friction between them increased with every rub, every
stroke, and Vega moaned as he pressed his lips against his British lover's.

The moment Vega shut his eyes he saw sparks go off behind them. His moans grew
louder, and the heat between him and Billy was beginning to be too much for him
to bear. He quickly seized Billy's lips and moaned into them, his young body
shuddering, his seed spilling onto his thighs and his lover's stomach. Vega
reached down and resumed the dual stroking, watching his older lover tilt his
head back.

A soft gasp echoed through the room when Vega felt a second rush of warmth
spill onto his fingers. He brought his sticky fingers to his mouth, his
tongue darting outtasttaste their mixed passion. Billy smiled pul pulled Vega's
hand away from his lips, pressing his own against them.

"Vega," Billy lay back, his Spanish lover curling up against him.

"Hmmmm..?" Vega looked up, planting gentle kisses around Billy's face and neck.

"I may be a bit slow, but are you wearin' me old shirt?" He noticed Vega's
top was the same one Billy used to wear into battle several years ago. The shirt
lacked sleeves due to Billy cutting them off messily, and the Union Jack
prominently silkscreened on the entire front remained, if not a little faded
due to time. Billy however smiled since it was his Vega who wore it now, "It
looks bettah on you than it did on me."

"Thank you," Vega yawned, "And Billy..."

"Mmm... wot?" Billy stretched out a little, cradling Vega in his arms.

"I love you."

Those sweet words still made Billy shiver as he lay down, closing
his eyes, "I love you too."

~*~

One week later.....

Geese sat back in his chair once more. He made sure both Billy and Vega were
occupied with the tasks he assigned them. He would have his peace and quiet
this time. He turned on his CD player, where the gothic notes of the
"Godfather" movie soundtrack began to fill the room. He sipped his coffee
as he looked out the window and onto the city of Southtown.

"William Edward Kane, You've really done it this time!" That near-screeching
Spanish voice shattered Geese's tranquility once more, "Why can't you keep
your hands off me for five minutes!"

"(now Kane will be coming in and...)" Geese thought to himself, and surely
enough his English bodyguard entered the office within seconds...

"There you go blowin' it in me face again! Wot, you don't want me to touch you
anymore evah again?! Fine. Then that's the last time I'll evah hug, kiss, or
even lay a finger on you, public or otherwise," Billy suddenly grabbed Vega
and seized his lips, "Need somethin' to take wif me, luv.. nothin' personal.."
Billy let go and headed back for the door, "And sir.. I'll go back to me
duties... and um... sorry about ruinin' your quiet time again.." Billy waved
to Geese before leaving the office.

Geese narrowed his eyes at his secretary, crossing his arms, "Now
what happened? And remember to give me the less-graphic version. I really don't
want you to go into details."

Vega took a deep breath, trying to calm himself while he clutched the worn
pewter ring on his necklace. He was ready to tear it off and give it back to
Billy, but he couldn't bring himself to do so, "M.. My apologies, Senor Howard,
but Billy went too far this time. When we were at lunch he started to stroke
my thighs in front of everyone and..."

"Ahem... non-detailed version, La Salda," Geese cleared his throat.

"Sorry. He just kept touching me and cuddling me in public. I didn't protest
the first time he did it, but it's getting out of hand now. I know he loves me
and all..."

"I'll have a talk with Billy. But you gotta understand, Vega. I don't
appreciate the both of you resorting to arguing in front of me. I'm not a
relationship counselor, and while I want to tell you everything will be okay.."

"I understand, Senor Howard. We didn't mean to have our problems spill into our
work," Vega looked down, loosening the grip on his necklace.

Geese nodded, "I'll take care of Billy. You get back to work."

"Thank you," Vega took some files and left the office.

The CEO sat back and sighed, "(They're getting worse...)" his hand flared up
with a blue flame before it died down as quickly as it appeared.

~*~

As usual, Vega relaxed on the couch after work, waiting for Billy to
come home. Lily toiled away in the kitchen, and after a little while she
broke the silence, "You've been awfully silent, luv. Is everything okay at work?"

"Lily... it's complicated, but in a nutshell your brother needs to learn some
self-control."

"Why, Vega? Don't tell me he got into a fight with the Bogards again," Lily
stirred the tomato sauce that boiled gently on the stove.

Vega shook his head as he played with his braid, "More like he needs to keep
his hands to himself when we are in public."

That made Lily blink. She turned around slowly, "Vega, luv... Billy's always
been very open like that. He used to tell me growin' up that we should nevah
hide our feelin's and be proud of wot we got, because we might not have it
tomorrow."

"Someone should tell him that not all of us appreciate being on the
receiving end of such 'open' feelings," Vega snapped when the door unlocked.

The door slammed behind the tired figure that was Billy Kane, and as soon as
it was closed he leaned against it, "Finally.. good to be home..."

"How was work, luv?" Lily smiled and let the sauce simmer while she walked up
to hug her tired brother.

"Long 'n borin'..." Billy sighed while he saw Vega getting up, "But it's worth
it comin' home to you two."

Vega rolled his eyes, "Unfortunately you can't keep it to yourself when you're
outside the home."

Billy blinked and slowly let go of his sister. As Lily returned to the kitchen
her brother walked up to Vega, "Wot's that supposed to mean? Don't tell me
you're still mad over wot happened at lunch."

"I am not mad, Billy. I am furious," Vega narrowed his eyes, "I'm furious
that you would cheapen our relationship by fondling me in front of everyone in
Southtown!"

"Wot?! I don't exactly consider huggin' an' kissin' you in public fondlin'.
But if you're gonna act like this," Billy walked towards his room and came out
with his pillow and blanket, "I'll stick to wot I said earlier. Don't come to
me if you want to be touched or cuddled. I am not about to give in."

Vega shrugged, "Fine with me, Kane. And by the way," His fine lips tilted into a
smirk, one that he was known for when he was still an assassin, "Did Senor Howard
talk to you about this today?"

Billy growled and threw his things onto the couch, "Now I know who to blame
for havin' extended hours this week!"

"Next time you should behave yourself," Vega headed for the kitchen.

~*~

Dinner passed in an uncomfortable silence, and after Lily left for her
shift at work Billy lay down on the couch, muttering to himself about Vega and
his attitude.

"(I hate it when he gets all prissy. He blows everythin' outta proportion,
an' makes it look like I don't care about how he feels! So wot if I lishowshowin' how much I love him wif a little kiss or grope? Bettah than
pretendin' not to know each other outside of work.... oi, I'm gettin a headache
over this..)" Billy yawned and began to drift off to sleep.

As the night dragged on Billy awoke to some unusual muffled noises coming
from his bedroom. He sat up and grabbed his staff, trying to gather his
bearings before going over to investigate. The split second he was coherent
he rushed to the bedroom and opened the door, where Vega was on the bed, crying
softly, clinging to the sheets.

"Vega?" Billy blinked, easing his stance, "Wot happened, luv?"

The younger man looked up, tears straining his slightly puffy eyes and reddened
cheeks, "I'm s.. sorry for waking you.. I just had this.. terrible nightmare.."

Billy couldn't help staring at the vunerable Spaniard in front of him, "Oh?
Wot was it about?"

"Bison.. he was..." Vega looked away, closing his eyes.

"Oh.... 'm sorry..." Billy's demeanor quickly softened. Now he felt bad about
all the arguing from before.

"Stay with me, Billy? I don't want to be alone right now," Vega's gaze turned
back to his lover's.

Billy's entire 'I won't touch you ever again' stance flew right out the window
as he leaned his staff against the wall and gathered the crying Vega into his
arms, "Vega.... I'm here for you luv.. don't evah think otherwise..."

"Billy..." Vega's lips found his lover's as he quickly locked them with his
own, "This may seem.. sudden but.. I need you..."

"Are you sure, Vega...? I mean I don't want to do anythin' to hurt you..."

"Please?" Vega's sweet, pleading voice had Billy melting internally.

It didn't take long for Billy to be nodding and kissing Vega as he laid his
beloved down, spending the next late night hours making love to the Spanish
man.

~*~

The next day Geese Howard braced himself as the lunch tic ticked by.
He was full-on expecting his two closest allies to be barging in and arguing.
Instead, as he looked silently over Southtown, his door opened to a very
smug Billy Kane.

Geese didn't even bother turning around, as his bodyguard's reflection was
in the window's glassy surface, "Aren't you a little too happy this afternoon.
Let me guess, makeup sex."

Billy leaned against the wall, his staff comfortably resting against his chest,
"It's a wonderful thing, sir. After all that arguin' an' yellin'.. it took
a bleedin' nightmare to bring him back to me."

"So you basically took advantage of his vunerability," Geese shrugged.

"On the contrary he... initiated it. I found it a little odd, but I gave him
wot he wanted," Billy was about to continue when there was a light knock on the
slightly opened door.

"Senor Howard? May I speak to you for a moment? It won't take long," It was
Vega, and while he walked in he leaned ovnd knd kissed Billy's cheek, "And..
thank you for last night. I feel much better."

Geese blinked at Vega's sudden change in attitude, "Um.. sure, I guess. Billy,
can you see if there's any more information regarding that weird accounting
balance from last week?"

Billy nodded and turned to leave, "Of course, sir. I'll see you later.. and
same to you, my little princess.." He smiled at Vega before he left.

"So Vega, what did you need to talk about?" Geese headed back to his desk
and sat down, his chair creaking slightly under his weight.

Vega put his files down, "I was curious, Senor Howard. Billy is quite...
experienced in bed. I was wondering if you had anything to do with that."

"What are you insinuating, La Salda?" Geese crossed his arms, leaning back.

The young secretary leaned against the cherry desk, smiling, "Oh, nothing...
just the thought of you teaching Billy the ways of sex is quite.. arousing to
say the least."

Geese's temper began to flare up slightly, "Vega.."

"To think you may have even been Billy's first... How did it feel to break his
cherry, Senor Howard?" That last part Vega made sure to emphasize the words.
Vega walked around the desk and leaned forward, his hands grasping both sides of
the leather chair, "and would you be able to use your sexual prowess on me?"

"I am not about to let you manipulate me, nor will I stand for you cheating on
my closest friend. And no, I didn't sleep with Billy. Unlike Bison, I don't
fuck my subordinates. Now get off me before I decide to fire you and mar that
so-called 'valuable face' of yours," Geese's tone was grim and serious,
however it didn't sway the younger man one bit.

"I doubt even your will power can stand up to my beauty. Billy was just a
stepping stone to my real goal... you," Vega started to unbutton his dress shirt
as he quickly leaned in to take Geese's protesting lips. Geese's hands shot
up, grabbing Vega's wrists roughly, "Well I don't take kindly to your fucking
around, La Salda."

Neither of them noticed the door opening to a certain English bodyguard, "Um,
sir... the accountin' people said that.." The voice soon faded when he saw
what was in front of him: his young boyfriend kissing his boss, "WOT THE
FUCKING HELL?!"

Vega pulled back, chuckling, "You really should start locking your doors,
Senor Howard. You could've had your way with me," He got up and turned to Billy,
"Hello, William."

"Why the fuck were you kissin' Geese?" Billy tried his best in keeping his
flaring temper in check.

"Why not? He has power. You don't. Seriously, Billy, do you really think I
was in love with you?" Vega chuckled while Geese fixed his suit, leaving his
own office to give the two some space. "Think about it. I'm a nobleman.
Why would I be stuck in a decrepid job such as this? Simple, to make my way
into Geese's heart. What better way to do that than to play with his right-
hand man?"

"No Vega... you wanted to start over..." Billy bit his lip. The whole noble
part stung him considerably.

"Me? Why would I start over? I have no need to. Let's face it, Billy. I
never loved you. A nobleman could never be in love with a peasant."

Billy's eyes took on a dangerous glint, "You did not just say that." He walked
closer to Vega, his hands clenching into fists, "I worked my arse off to
get where I am today. I wanted to give Lily a bettah life, and when I took you
in I wanted to do the same for you. I know I don't make much, but that doesn't
give you the bloody roight to throw your nobility in me face. You got alot
of nerve to do that. You know wot? You can keep all your billions of
dollars and continue to be an empty, vacuous bitch boy. I'm gone. Goodbye,
Vega." He took off both of his red cuffs and handed them back to Vega before
leaving the office.

"Why did he give these back? They're hideous..." Vega tossed them onto Geese's
desk before walking to the window of the office.

~*~

"Fuckin' little brat... Can't believe I wasted a whole year of me life
wif him and he throws that whole 'you can't have me because I'm noble' shit at
me..." Billy sat on the couch while Lily stood over him, rubbing his shoulders.

"Maybe it just wasn't meant to be, Billy. I'm still surprised he pulled such
a stunt like he did," Lily tried her best to soothe her brother's raging temper.

Billy rubbed his eyes, "I loved him, Lil... I nevah felt so sure about anyone...
shows wot I know, eh?" He was about to continue when the door opened. Deep
down Billy hoped it was his beloved as he turned around immediately, "Veg..? oh,
it's you again..." His eyes narrowed at the intruder, who turned out to be
Lily's boyfriend Joe Higashi.

"Joe, can you come back later? Now's not a good time," Lily hugged the Japanese
fighter when Billy waved his hand.

"Actually, he can stay, Lil," Billy smiled a little.

Joe backed up a little, "Whoa.. Kane doesn't want to kick me outta the house.
Something must be really wrong."

Lily nodded, "Vega broke up with Billy today, and it was quite nasty."

The revelation made Joe widen his eyes, "Whoa.. Vega broke it off? That sucks,
man. I really thought you two had something going...."

"Wotevah. If you'll excuse me..." Billy reached into the end
table near the couch and opened the drawer to a semi-full pack of cigarettes.

"William Kane! I can't believe it.. you said you'd quit!" Lily made a
disgusted look while Billy grabbed the box.

Billy frowned and shook the box until one cig partially came out. He pulled
it out completely with his lips, "After wot happened today, can you blame
me?" He turned heel and trudged out onto his balcony, where he fished around
in his jacket pockets for a match. "(Hn.. I shoulda thrown the jacket at
Vega too... stuck up little..)"

"Hey Kane..." The Brit's train of thought derailed when he heard the Japanese
fighter's voice a few minutes later.

"Wot do you want?" Billy turned to face him, finally finding some matches and
lighting the cig still hanging from his mouth.

Joe quickly put his hands up, "I just wanted to talk is all.. you look like you
could use the company."

That made Billy smirk, "The reason why I came out here was to avoid you."

"Funny," Joe made a face, "Listen.. I'm sorry to hear about you guys. I know
I said some things that pissed you both off, but you know... I was happy that
you found someone you loved and cared about. Personally I think something's
up though."

"Yeah? Like wot?" Billy took a slow drag and exhaled, blowing the smoke away
from Joe's face.

"Well... this just seems all so... weird. I mean Vega never gave off the vibe
that he wanted to break up. He honestly looked happy with you."

"I thought so too. An' he was playin' me the whole bleedin' time. I shoulda
known bettah than to fall for a Shadowloo officer. Fuck, does that mean
the whole time in Spain was fake too?" Billy began rubbing his forehead while he
took another drag.

Joe walked up cautiously and hesitantly placed his hand on Billy's back, trying
to comfort him, "That's why I think there's more to this whole situation.
I mean, Lily just told me about the cuffs."

"Yeah, they're roight here," Billy pulled them out of his pocket, "I handed them
back to Vega, but when Geese 'n I came back to the office they were layin' on
his desk.... that and Vega was gone. But we didn't see him leave."

"And that doesn't strike you as odd? You'd think Vega would be devastated that
you returned something he gave to you out of the goodness of his heart.
Instead he just leaves them behind and vanishes?"

Billy shrugged, "Who knows?"

"Then there's that legendary necklace you gave him. Did he return that?" Joe
challenged.

"No.... I should hunt him down and take it back.. as payment for breakin' me
heart," Billy exhaled some smoke one last time before snuffing out the cigarette
on a nearby glass ashtray.

"Was he even wearing it at the time he broke it off with you?"

"He wasn't the night before he left. Then again I was too busy fuckin' him
to notice. Higashi, wot's your bloody point to all this?! I'm startin' to get
annoyed by all your 'conspiracy theory' shit."

"All I'm saying is this whole thing reeks of set-up. I don't even think it was
Vega that broke up with you," Joe backed up, ready for Billy's incoming fury.

"So who was it then?! His 'evil twin'? Fuck you, Higashi. This isn't some
stupid sci-fi movie wif bloody clones. While I'm at it, fuck him too..." Billy
went to the edge of his balcony and prepared to throw the red cuffs off the
edge, but right before he let them fly he froze, slowly bringing his arm back
down, "I... I can't..."

"Billy..."

The British guard fell to his knees, looking down at the leather cuffs, "I still
love him.... Why.. did he do this..?" He dropped the cuffs onto the cement
floor as tears began to well in his eyes. It wasn't long before Billy started
to choke on his sobs.

"Oh man.... Billy.... I'm sorry. Things'll turn out okay..." Joe reached down
to pat the older man on his back, but thought twice about it and decided to
give the man some space.

~*~

The rest of the week dragged by for Billy. He did his best to stay alert
on the job for the sake of Geese, but his mind was always on Vega. Each night
when he got home he barely slept. He was so used to having Vega cuddling up to
him, murmuring something in his sleep, and kissing his chin. He simply missed
having Vega around, and not just as a boyfriend, but as a friend.

As Billy sat down alone at the deli near Geese Tower, a trench coat-clad
man watched him closely from a nearby alleyway. His right eye glowed red,
and it began to send images straight into his master's hidden base.

His master was M. Bison.

Shadowloo's leader watched the British guard on tonitonitors with amusement,
wrapping his arm around his lover's slender waist, "You did a marvelous job with
him, Vega. Sad, alone, and heartbroken over losing the one he loved."

"Thank you, General. It was simpler than I thought... a whole year down the
drain in less than ten minutes," Vega turned to Bison and smiled evilly.

"Stop it! You've done enough to him!" A voice yelled from a cylindrical
tube. It was the real Vega, and he pounded against the thick glass, "Leave him
alone!"

Bison grinned and turned to Vega, leaning his hand against the glass, "I always
take back what's mine, La Salda. Better to break Billy's heart than his neck,
right? Of course these may be the last images you'll see of him alive. After
this he'll be eliminated by my cyborg."

Vega narrowed his eyes, "You underestimate his abilities. And I don't belong
to you anymore, Bison. I work for the Howard Concern now."

"And that's why you're in the Psycho Drive. I want to obtain every
single drop of information you've found out about Geese Howard and his
foundation. I'm assuming you won't tell me willingly, so I'll just extract it,"
Bison beckoned the clone Vega, who began to punch in several codes on the
Drive's panel.

Vega braced himself, clenching the ring on his necklace, whispering to himself,
"(I love you, Billy...)" Soon the energy surged through Vega's young body,
making him float in mid-air inside the tube. He did his best in ignoring the
searing pain shooting through him, but in the end he couldn't take it. He
screamed, making his former boss smile, "NOOOOOOO!!"

"Eh?! Wot the..?" Billy snapped out of his daze, looking around. He
was still at the restaurant, with about ten minutes left of his lunch break.
"(I coulda sworn I heard Vega.... but why?)" He shook his head, looking at his
watch, "(Fuck... almost time to go back. That was just strange though.. Face it
Kane... you gotta let him go..)" He sighed and started walking towards Geese
Tower after paying for lunch.

He shouldered his bo and while he walked he felt like he was being
followed. When he turned around though he didn't see anyone, "(Great... now
I'm goin' nuts... wot a day...)" He kept walking, but then he heard an odd
buzzing noise. "(Oh that's it...)" He whirled around viciously, and saw a man
in a long coat, staring at him. "Take a picture. It'll last longer... bloody
tosser..." Billy flipped the man off and kept walking.

The strange man began to pursue Billy, increasing his . H. His red eye blinked,
capturing images of his opponent before attacking.

Billy stopped in his tracks and smiled before blocking the incoming attack
with his staff, "You picked a really bad day to fight me... wot?!" He saw the
red eye and gasped, "Not even human...?" He said to himselforefore the other
punched Billy in the stomach. The British guard gasped, using his staff to steady
his wobbling form as he spat up a little blood, "Ch.. Cheap shot... fuckin'
prick..." He swiped at the other fighter with his bo, separating it into three
and wrapping it around the man's neck. He finished his move into a damaging
throw, moving back a little to plan his next move, "(Shoulda stunned him I
hope...)" Billy caught his breath as he gasped to himself.

The man was revealed to be a cyborg, half of his face torn off to show the
metallic parts below. He stood up as if barely phased by Billy's attack.
"Wot the bloody.... a robot?!" Billy tightened the grip on his bo, "Shoulda
figured due to your eye and strength.. now I won't feel as bad when I bash
your head in..." The guard rushed the cyborg, attacking and bashing every
which way with his stick.

Most of the attacks were blocked by the cyborg, and in one move the robotic
being grabbed Billy and threw him into some nearby trash cans. As the being
approached, Billy sneered before getting to his feet, twirling his staff
until flames appeared, sending a wheel of fire into his bionic opponent. He
followed up with strikes and kicks fueled by anger, and before the cyborg
could counter, Billy nailed the robotic fighter in the head with his staff..
repeatedly, "GO TO HELL!!"

Billy's staff was so quick, it seemed like multiple chain sticks throttled
the cyborg, obliterating its metallic frame. Out of sheer anger, Billy continued
to beat down the cyborg's remaining parts, "You fuckin' monster!"

"Billy?" A familiar voice called.

"Try to kill me will you..!! Huh?" Billy turned to see Geese Howard standing
behind him, "y I'y I'm late, sir. This.. thing attacked me...."

"I can see that. What.. was it exactly?" Geese knelt down to inspect the
parts.

"Some sort of robot. Nevah seen anythin' like it before," Billy shook his head,
"It was spyin' on me before it attacked, but who would be behind such a
monstrosity?"

"I can think of one person," Geese stood up, "I'll have Hopper get rid of it.
We'll go after the organization who sent this."

"But who sent it, sir?"

"Shadowloo. Who else?"

~*~

//"Vega?"

"Who's there?!"

"Don't worry, luv. It's just me."

"Billy... I'm so scared..."

"I'm here for you, Vega. I always will be."

"I want to come back... I'm sorry for all the trouble I've caused you."

"Forget about all that. You're always welcome in my home."

"I love you, Billy.. I miss you..."

"I love you too, Vega... my Princess..."//

That's when Vega shot awake. He looked around, frowning hard. He
was still trapped in the Psycho Drive, and Billy's comforting voice was only
a dream. He closed his eyes, wrapping his arms around himself, the fabric
of his sleepshirt giving him some comfort. "(Billy... I want to come
home....)" He said to himself as he leaned back against the tempered glass,
trying to go back to sleep.

"Poor baby... clinging to those silly trinkets..." The clone Vega scoffed while
he watched over his doppleganger.

The other opened his eyes slowly, "At least I know Billy loves me. Even through
our arguments, disagreements..."

"Ugh, so domesticated. How can you live in such peasantry with a disgusting
pig of a man? To think I actually slept with him before I tore his heart out,"
The clone made an irritated face while he sat down near the Psycho Drive's
monolithic structure.

Vega looked down, playing with his necklace and the torn collar of his
Union Jack top, "Yes... -Vega-, tell me about the night you kidnapped me, and
replaced me with yourself. What did Billy do?"

"He was comely ely fooled. All I did was cry, and pretended I had a nightmare
about Lord Bison. The pig fell for it, and when I begged him for sex.."

"You begged him?" The choice of words made Vega chuckle, "I thought you didn't
find Billy attractive."

"Don't twist my words around, traitor. Either way he took me, and he thinks
highly of himself in bed. I think he's boring."

"Why? Because he actually took his time? Because he was mindful of what you
felt, and wanted you to enjoy every minute?" Vega mused, "When Billy and I
were intimate the first time, he made absolutely sure I was comfortable before
we did anything. He ed med me to like it... he wanted me to forget how
Bison used to take me..."

The clone snorted, "He's a weak, hopeless sap. And Lord Bison is quite
satisfactory in bed."

"So he's already taken you. Then you know how rough and uncaring he is...
compared to that I am thankful for Billy's kindness," Vega closed his eyes once
more, realizing just how much he'd changed since the Kane siblings took him
into their home. "How long did Bison wait before he slept with you?"

"What do you mean? And what does it matter? I don't answer to you," The clone
looked away, annoyed by the other's questions, "You're nothing like the
icy assassin I was told about..."

"And you're the empty, narcissistic concubine I once was. I should be
flattered that Bison made a clone of me to satiate the void in his sad life."

"I don't even know why Lord Bison's kept you alive this long. He hasn't
found any useful information about the Howard Concern from you... hopefully
he will allow me to finish you off, and then I will go after Billy Kane and
Geese How.. i.. if they haven't been killed by the cyborg already. I cannot
wait to stain my claw with that Englishman's blood..."

Vega chuckled softly.

"What's so funny?" The clone demanded.

"You're kidding, right? Bison must've failed to tell you... how do you think
I ended up where I am today? Billy defeated me when I tried to kill him."

"And instead of killing you he... took you into his home? Is he insane?"
The clone blinked at the revelation.

Vega shook his head, "No. He didn't know it back then, but he fell in love
with me the moment he removed my mask. I guess thathy hhy he was so lenient
when he captured me."

"He fell in love with our exceptional beauty. He wouldn't be the first, but
he is beneath our standards and-"

"He proved to be above -my- standards. He taught me about looking beneath
the surface-"

"You sound like an after-school special. I'm starting to hope
the cyborg didn't finish him so so I can do it myself!" The clone got up,
smiling down at the trapped Vega, "Hold onto your keepsakes, because they'll
be all what's left of Billy Kane."

Vega looked down at his pendant and smiled back, "Buenos suertes....
lo necesitará...."

The clone snorted and walked away, leaving the real Vega trapped in the Psycho
Drive.

~*~

"Run this by me again, sir... how can it be Shadowloo? Last time I
checked their leader got charred by your rising storm an' you were pickin' up
only the best pieces of the organization," Billy scratched his head while
he and his boss entered Geese Tower's lavish, penthouse office.

Geese turned to his loyal bodyguard, holding up a piece of the thrashed
cyborg, "I don't recall Mr. Big or Yamazaki using cyborgs for assassinations."

"Granted, but how can Bison still be alive? I saw you fry him wif me own
eyes."

"You really think Bison would be killed so easily? I began to figure out he
wasn't really dead when our research on his organization was halted by an
unforseen resistance. We backed off for now."

Billy nodded, but he seemed a bit dazed.

"You okay? Are you even paying attention?"

"Uh, wot?" Billy shook his head, "Sorry sir... I was thinkin' about somethin'
Higashi said the other night."

"You mean Joe said something important?"

"Yeah.. now that I think about it. He kept insistin' this whole thing was a
setup and that the Vega who dumped me wasn't even him."

Geese blinked, "That sounds far-fetched, Kane. Don't tell me you actually
believe him."

"Well if it really is Bison and Shadowloo... that might mean there was a clone
Vega and the real one...." Billy trailed off when he felt his heart ache.
The thought of Vega imprisoned by his former master hurt him immensely, "I
want to find him, sir..."

"Vega? After what he did to you?"

"Call me nuts, but I think I am startin' to believe Higashi. Just wish I knew
where to look."

"Kane," Geese growled, "You're wasting your time. Shadowloo might be behind
this but why would Bison send out a clone to break your heart?"

Billy shrugged, then smirked, "Probably because he's jealous. I took Vega
away from him an' treated Vega bettah than he did."

Geese snorted, "Fine. I'll fund your search, but you're on your own in
finding the brat. I'm not about to stick my neck out for him after trying to
seduce me. The last known whereabouts of Shadowloo was somewhere in
Southeast Asia... but I don't know the exact location."

Billy nodded but felt like he had to add, "It wasnega ega who tried to
seduce you, sir."

Very slowly Geese turned to Billy, narrowing his eyes, "With all due respect,
Kane... get out of my office."

Billy stepped back and nodded, "Y.. Yes sir!" With those quick words he ducked
out of the office, bent on finding his lost love.

~*~

"(I can't believe all this... the world must be comin' to an end if
I'm believin' Higashi.... But at this point I'm willin' to travel to the
ends of the world to find Vega again... I've changed...)" Billy had several
thoughts on his mind as he unlocked the door to his apartment. He
blinked when he heard some odd, muffled noises coming from the couch. Quietly,
he walked over, his eyes widening at the sight of Joe Higashi tenderly kissing
and touching a pretty, young woman... a pretty, young woman who happened to
be Lily Kane.

"HIGASHI!!!" Billy screamed at the top of his lungs.

"GAAAAAAHHH!!" Joe immediately let Lily go, jumping to the other of of the
couch. Lily gasped and crawled to the opposite end, quickly trying to
button up her top.

"That's... not something I like to come home to, ya know.." Billy covered his
eyes.

"Um... It's not what you think Billy, I swe We We were just..cuddling! No!
I slipped..! No wait I..!" Joe's excuses were cut off by Billy's groaning.

"Stop it, Higashi. It's not like I don't know wot you two do already," Billy
started thrusting his hips, albiet cynically, mimicking a bored version
of his sister's voice, "Oh.. Joe, please, harder.. you beast..."

"Billy!" Lily couldn't get any more red in the face than she already was,
"That's not true!"

"Look, either way I need to talk to Higashi. Lil'," Billy stopped his banal
thrusting, "can you leave us to chat?"

Lily got up, "You're not gonna kill him, are you?"

"No. Not unless he -really- pisses me off," Billy escorted, for lack of a
better term, Lily to her room, closing it before turning back to a still-
embarassed Joe.

"Higashi, I gave alot of thought to wot you said that night on the
balcony. Now, I have to ask you," Billy took a deep breath, as this was going
to take alot of pride swallowing, "How well do you know Southeast Asia?"

Joe blinked, scratching his head, "Well, um... it's been a while since I
was out there, but..
"O
"Okay you're comin' wif me," Billy cut off Joe's response and headed towards
his bedroom.

"I.. what? Did I miss something?" Joe raised an eyebrow, "I'm going where
with you?"

"We're gonna find Vega. That's all you need to know," Billy shut the bedroom
door behind him, leaving a startled Joe in the living room.

Joe stood there for a while, processing what Billy just said about helping him,
"(We're going to Asia to find Vega.. Wow Kane, you must really love...)...)"
He sighed and headed for Lily's bedroom.

~*~

"Vega... wake up..."

The muffled words combined with a gentle tapping woke the trapped Vega up,
his bleary eyes focusing to see his former master staring down at him.

"I'm giving you one last chance to spill you knowledge about Geese and his
company. If you decline you'll be having one last ride in the drive, and the
energy will be so strong it'll tear your body apart."

Vega cringed internally, as he'd witnessed the drio suo such an atrocious act,
"Very well, but on one condition.... so I know you're not double-crossing me."

"Name it," Bison grinned.

"Let me out of this tube. I won't go anywhere," Vega said sweetly, playfully
fiddling with his pewter necklace.

Bison was easily swayed, as he always had a soft spot for the young, coy
assassin. He had the clone Vega push a few buttons, and within seconds the
tube retracted, slowly allowing the real Vega to breathe in fresh air. He got
up carefully, as being cooped up in the tube took its toll on his common
motor skills. "Now are you ready to talk, Vega?" Bison grabbed Vega by the front
of his top.

"Yes.. just.. allow me to recover a bit..." Vega slid his hands over Bison's
arms, smiling when he saw the crime lord loosen his grip.

"Lord Bison, he is trying to seduce you.." The clone turned his nose up while
the real Vega licked his lips.

"Perhaps I am... and it worked, didn't it?" Vega suddenly pushed Bison away
and punched him in the face. He ran towards the entrance to the room,
where he slammed his hand into the button to open it. The clone Vega growled and
chased after him, using his speed and agility to stop his other side.

"You cannot escape," The clone sent his claw into the metal door, and
missed the true Vega's cheek by milimeters.

Vega chuckled when he froze in place, the same icy, mocking chuckle he used
to do before shredding his opponent, "You think you've exceeded your
inspiration?" With blinding speed Vega sent his elbow into his clone's chest,
dropping down for a sweeping kick.

As the clone was tripped up, he snorted, rushing his doppleganger once more.
When he tried to go for another slash, Vega flipped backward, allowing his clone
to loosen a pipe near the Psycho Drive. One more slash came from the clone and
the pipe was free, and Vega dove for it.

The clone saw Vega diving and decided to go in for a stab to the back, "It's
over!"

Vega quickly flipped over and blocked the incoming blades with the pipe. He
cried out softly and kicked his clone away from him, getting up and twirling
the shredded pipe, "I did pick up a few new moves in my.... domesticated
life..."

"-HE- tainted our beautiful fighting style!" The clone spat while Vega took the
pipe into both hands, treating it like an impromptu bo.

"No, he merely enhanced its deadly beauty," Vega rushed his twin,
doing his best to remember how his beloved taught him to use the staff... even
if the staff in use was a loose pipe.

~*~

Somewhere over the Pacific Ocean, a slightly airsick Brit looked out
the plane's window. The scenery was nothing but clouds with the occasional
glimpse of the vast, blue waters below. He sighed, hoping he would be able to
find his love. Next to him was the man he had to tolerate for the next
few days, ashiashi, will you hold still for five minutes?"

Joe Higashi snickered while watching the in-flight movie, occasionally
bumping into the man next to him, "Oh, man. Kane, you gotta watch this!
Some plumber guy's running against an ex-president for the mayor's seat! Gene
Hackman's my hero!"

Billy cringed at the idea of the movie and went back to staring out the window.
"(Vega.... I'm comin', luv.)"

~*~

Razor-sharp metal clashed with the dulled pipe. As the clonied ied to
go in for the kill Vega dodged with his own lightning speed. The blows were
like flashes as the two were equally matched in quickness and grace.
Shadowloo's leader stepped back from the fight, amused by this sudden turn
of events.

Both fighters battled for what seemed like hours, but soon the true Vega began
to tire, and the clone saw the opportunity to go in to finish off his
inspiration, "Surrender and you will die painlessly." He hissed at the other.

"I... am not about to let the copy surpass the original...." Vega charged his
clone once more, kneeling down when the other tried to stab his chest. He slid
in and swept-kicked him, following up with a powerful blow from the makeshift
bo.

The clone fell back near the Psycho Drive's tube. He looked up, ready to strike
again, "At least I kept our philosophies pure and didn't let some ogre
corrupt them with his filthy ideals."

Vega let the other stand up while he kept alert, "Egotistical to the end, but
allow me to quote what a wonderful Englishman once said...."

"Hmph... what?" The clone challenged, readying himself.

"GO TO HELL!!" With most of his stength, Vega swiped his staff at his clone,
sending him crashing into the glass tube. The impact caused the remainder of
the cylindrical structure to crash down on him, leaving the real Vega to
victory over his clone.

A violet glow caught Vega's eye, making him wince.

"You should know better than to break my toys, la Salda," Bison growled.

"Indeed I should," Vega smiled, sending the pipe into the controls of the
Psycho Drive, causing an explosion. Without a second thought Vega ran,
making his way through the immense complex, doing his best to keep away from
Bison's wrath. He could hear Bison's cursing as he slipped through every
hidden path he knew, knowing that he would soon be outside the fortress.

~*~

"Okay, where the hell are we, Higashi?" Billy whapped some tropical
plants with his bo, making his way through the thick, lush Thai jungles.

"Let me think! Hmmm.. this -looks- familiar..."

"You said that two hours ago!"

"I did? Well, it still looks familiar. I'm sure we're near my old training
grounds. From there we can get directions..."

"Yeah... like they'd know where Shadowloo Headquarters's exact location is.
'just take a left at that tree wif the giant snake in it!' Please..." Billy
snorted when he heard an odd rustling coming from the branches above them.
Both men instantly froze, "You... hear that?"

Joe nodded, staying on guard.

"B.. Billy? Is that you?" A familiar, soft voice called from the trees.

"Wot the..?" Billy looked up to see a tall figure crouching on a large branch,
dressed in grey pants... and a certain British flag top. "Vega?!"

"It's so good to..."

"Wait.. how do I know it's really you?" Billy suddenly gripped his red bo.

"Kane, who are you talking to?" Joe looked up and saw Vega in the leaves, "Hey!
You found Vega! Good work, man!"

"Billy? What is Joe doing here?" Vega asked quizically.

Billy scratched his head, "Uhhhhh....... It's a long story. But are you the
real Vega?"

"Um... Billy, he wouldn't know my name if it wasn't him, you dork," Joe shook
his head.

"We don't have time. We must go before Bison finds us. I radioed Interpol,
so we can escape in the confusion," Vega jumped down and landed before
the other two men.

"Sounds like a plan. Lead the way, Vega," Billy followed his love and ally
back into the jungle.

Later in the evening, the group was still in the jungle, but at the
edge. They managed to locate Joe's old training grounds, where they all hid
for for the night. Billy sat by the fire set up by Joe, sipping on some
warm tea. While he allowed the tea's aroma to calm him, Vega sat next to
him, smiling a little.

"You came all the way to Thailand to save me?" Vega asked softly, "How did
you know where to look?"

Billy blew on his tea to cool it, "I didn't. I just brought Higashi wifas
as
a guide and hoped I'd find you. In fact he was the one who restored hope
when I was ready to give up on you." Then Billy leaned in, "If you tell him I
said that..." He smiled.

Vega shivered, "I... dreamt about you.. I wanted to see you again so badly.
I'm so sorry for everything..."

"Vega, stop it. Wot matters is that you're still alive and well. Here," Billy
slid off his jacket and wrapped it around Vega's shoulders. "Why is it that
you always look bettah in me clothes than I do?"

"And why is it that you insist on treating me like a damsel in distress?"
Vega turned to him, a bit irritated, but still cuddling into Billy's warm
jacket.

"Most likely it's because I love you and I don't want this to happen evah
again," Billy wrapped an arm around Vega's shoulders and pulled him close. "I'm
so happy to have you back."

"Billy...." Vega clung to his love, holding him tight. It didn't take long
for Vega to drift off, leaving Billy to watch over his younger lover.

"Admit it," A smug Joe Higashi sna whi while he sat down across from Billy and
the sleeping Vega.

"Admit wot?" Billy raised an eyebrow, laying Vega down and covering his body
up with his jacket.

"Oh I don't know... that I was right about this whole situation?" Joe grinned
wide.

Billy narrowed his eyes, "Higashi..."

"Say it. I was -right-," Joe winked at the other man.

"Fine. Higashi, you were roight about everythin'. About me relationship, the
clone theory, an' things workin' out," Billy sighed and shook his head, "Now
let us nevah speak of this again, got it?"

Joe nodded once and smiled, "Deal."

Billy grunted his dismay as Joe lay down. Soon Billy too drifted off, moving
closer to Vega in the night and holding him to his warmth.

~*~

After a few nights in Thailand, the group managed to return home.
Thanks to Vega's contacting Interpol, Shadowloo's base was discovered, though
Bison himself slipped past their detection once more. It didn't take long
for everything to return to normal back in Southtown, or as normal as the
crime-ridden city could get.

About a month later Vega clung to his files as he headed down the hallway
to the elevator. Even though Geese was still angry with him, he allowed
Vega another chance, seeing that the Vega who tried to seduce him was in fact,
a clone.ga pga pressed the button to go up, and as he waited he heard his name
being called.

"Vega! wait for me!" It was Billy, who waved to him while running towards
the elevator, "Goin' up, luv?" He panted.

"Si. You got here just in time," Vega smiled.

Billy nodded his thanks, "Good. So, Vega......." His hand slid down Vega's arm,
resting itself dangerously close to his love's backside.

Vega turned his head and narrowed his green eyes, "Billy."

The British guard immediately retracted his hand, "S.. sorry, Vega. You're
absolutely roight. That's wot got me into trouble in the first place.. I'll
behave meself..."

Soon the elevator arrived, and Vega stepped on after Billy. The moment the
heavy doors closed, Vega turned to his lover and seized his lips.

Billy immediately pushed the "stop" button on the elevator's panel,
gasping for air, "Vega?!"

"Hmmmmm..?" Vega was too busy trying to unzip Billy's pants.

"Um, you -do- realize we're at work... an' we're on our way to see Geese."

"I am fully aware of this. What's your point?" Vega asked sweetly, slowly
falling to his knees once he freed Billy's arousal from his pants.

"Ahh... yeah all roight then," Billy sucked in his breath when Vega took his
love's erection into his waiting mouth.

Vega slowly nipped and licked, smiling to himself when he heard Billy breathe
his name. Soon the older man placed his hands on Vega's head, sliding his
fingers through Vega's soft, blonde hair. Vega began to move faster while he
rubbed himself through his pants. Vega moved the hard flesh down his throat as
far as he could, pulling back up to kiss and suck just the tip.

Billy couldn't hold it in much longer, "Vega..." He stifled his moan, biting
his lower lip as he did so. With a slightly strangled cry he let himself spill,
not realizing that he came all over Vega's face. He looked down to see the
young secretary wiping the sticky fluid off of his perfect skin. "S.. sorry,
luv..." Billy blushed and knelt down to help Vega clean up in the best way he
knew how: he licked and kissed Vega's face.

Several workers chatted and waited by the elevator's final destination
at the top floor. They wondered aloud about why the elevator was taking so
long to arrive, and what were those odd noises they heard while they waited.
After a few more minutes the familiar chime went off, and everyone turned their
attention to the opening doors.

There stood Vega, with very red cheeks. He clutched the ever-present files to
his chest as he stepped out. "Pardon me," Was all he said when he made his way
through the group of workers to get to Geese's office. Everyone then turned
his/her attention to the other man walking out of the elevator. Billy Kane
looked flushed, and oddly satisfied. The workers kept their eyes glued to the
British guard as he stepped away from their path. One woman glanced down at
his crotch, her eyes widening.

Billy saw her blinking and looked down as well, smirking at the female worker.
He reached down and zipped up. He chuckled and sauntered off, whistling
as he made his way towards Geese's office as well.

~THE END~