Following The River (Closed)

[Lady_Jade666]

River Ward
33ish

Luna Wolff
22

Luna could remember it like it was yesterday how she met River, he was a special kind of guy. When she met him he was just a regular cop wanting to make a difference in the world. Unfortunately Night City had it where it would chew you up and spit you out if you are not strong enough to take it. River however was like a storm unleashing its self on the city. It had been a good six years they have known each other.

Unfortunately the night that they met was not under very good circumstances. Luna had been home studying and her parents were out on a date, she thought nothing of it that night. She was only 16 when a sudden knock on the door echoed through the halls of her pretty empty home. It was then she saw the flashing lights flashing as she slowly approached the door and slowly opened it to see a cop before her.

"Ms. Wolff..?"

Was all he had to say when she collapsed in his arms and screamed so loud that the window part of the door broke, just shattered into pieces which represented her heart in that moment. It was a memory she doesnt go back to very much, since the memory still hurt her very much. But to tell a story sometimes you have to go to a memory no matter how hard it is to think about.

All River was supposed to do was tell her that her parents have been killed by a drunk driver, that they died on the scene and it was an instant death. Which helped ease her pain a little. River came around a lot to check up on her which was something she truly appreciated. Without her parents she was completely alone in the world. All she had were her books, her school and her music. Even after all this happened she managed to graduate two years early.

She had her parents life insurance policy but she wanted them there. Throughout the time of knowing River there was a tenderness growing between them. They had gotten to the point in their relationship where River told her that there was a small home that was for rent and he put in a good word for her so they ended up being next door neighbors. So she figured that was his way of inviting her to stay next to him.

A good year after moving in she finally turned eighteen and he seemed different around her like finally he saw a woman instead of a girl. which due to the age difference it made sense. But she did not know if the age thing was going to be a barrier and she wanted to know so the best thing to do was to do something special for him. She had Rewritten a couple songs that she knew were Rivers favorites.

So on his birthday which happened to be on Halloween which was perfect she invited him down to the bar called afterlife because she was good friends with Rogue. She was at the bar drinking a shot. Hoping he could make it because she knew he was busy. He had been promoted to detective. But as she turned she smiled seeing him, she hoped the dress was to his liking.

"Hey River I am glad you could make it, your sister told me it was your birthday and I wanted to make sure we celebrated it properly."

 

[Craneman8686]

Growing up, River and his sister Joss' parents ran a small farm. Eventually it went out of business as larger corporations took over the agriculture industry. His parents took to running a grocery store and the family of four lived in the apartment area above it.

One day, some drugged up thugs broke in looking for cash and, when they didn't find any in the store, went into the living quarters and demanded money from the father, who swore they had nothing else. Not satisfied with that response, one of the thugs killed River and Joss' father and then put a gun in River's hand and had him point it at his own mother's head, demanding he shoot and kill her. River stalled, terrified, to the point the thug gave up trying to bait the child and took the gun and killed their mom himself before the thugs ran off, leaving River and Joss alive but now parentless. The siblings were then sent off to an orphanage to be cared for but the NCPD never caught the thugs who killed their parents. With this lack of justice, River saw this as complete incompetency regarding the NCPD and made it his goal to become a detective to solve cases like what happened to his family.

River slipped into his role as detective over the next year. Working cases and making a name for himself on the force, while dealing with the underlying corruption imbedded deep within the NCPD ranks. His only only escapes from the turmoil in his mind was his sister and her three kids, and Luna whom he had to deliver the devastating news two years ago about her parents being killed. Seeing that they had something in common, he had befriended her and taken to making sure she was cared for as much as he could.
Tonight was supposed to be his birthday and he was happy with just celebrating it alone, but Luna had called and invited him to Afterlife for a surprise. He couldn't tell her no when hearing the excitement in her voice. Making his way to the club, thoughts filling his head, but he would put on a smile to match her excitement.

Walking down the stairs into the club, he spotted her at the bar downing a shot when she turned around and grinned. He couldnt help but return the wide smile spread across her face and seeing the dress she was wearing.

He walked up next to her at the bar and signaled Claire, the bartender who poured him a drink, knowing what he wanted without even having to ask and he downed in one gulp.

"Beautiful dress, Luna. Thanks for inviting me out." He told her and looked down at the bartop with a heavy sigh. He hadn't told anyone of his life changing decision but felt that Luna, of all people would understand. "I'm leaving the NCPD." He muttered out.

 

[Lady_Jade666]

Luna placed her hand on his "Well whatever makes you happy my friend, you will have my support if it means anything that is." Something about the comment made her blush a little bit and she did not know why but she knew she had to get something off her chest and the only way she knew how to do that was by song it was why she was glad that Joss had told her about his birthday. She was grateful to see him away from all the mayham of being a regular cop.

"listen River you mean a lot to me and I don't know if you know that. If it had not been for you I would have nobody at all. I'm glad that you're doing your own path so I don't have to worry about some assholes shooting and killing you, I mean I'm sure you're not leaving completely I was told by Joss that you were promoted to detective which I understand is still dangerous work but least you will be doing something you will love. And if you ever need help with brain dances let me know I put one of those BD things in my head, Rouge set it up." She motioned for Claire for one more shot which wasnt something she normally did she did not like to drink the hard stuff, but as she downed it she looked back at him.

"River the reason I wanted you down here with me was well one it's your birthday and I wouldn't want to celebrate it alone, so thanks to Rogue and Joss I managed to get you here for a music set I put in motion six months ago. I had no idea what to get you because we have only known each other about six years and your busy with work, which I understand believe me. Due to meeting me as a minor I have felt as I age that the way you treat me is that of someone they care for."

Looking down she felt her smile and looked back into his eyes. "I like to think we have gotten to know each other very well and I feel.safe with you, hence why we are living close together. I am not the sixteen year old that told her parents were dead, now I am a woman and even you treat me like one which means a lot. I am not good at this sort of things I have the habit of saying something stupid, its why my gift to you is honesty in the form of music."

She snapped her fingers and the stage lit up two guys on guitar and soon a drummer appeared. They were dressed as vampires as was she since it was halloween after all. When she smiled fangs could be seen on her teeth. " And before you ask, no they're not permanent it's just part of tonight" She placed her hand on his shoulder and whispered in his ear. "I reworked two songs I know you love according to Joss.

Pay close attention to the lyrics. Music is my honesty to you my sweet River. To show you we have gotten to know each other well and I hope you will understand my point to these two pieces, because they are songs I to love so when Joss gave me your two favoriate aongs I knew what I wanted to do." Luna so badly wanted to kiss him but didn't. Placing her hand on his cheek she smiled at him lovingly.

"I need to do this before I lose my nerve" she said to him. She managed to get a very small gathering of people that he cared for, his sister Joss and her kids. She knew family was a very strong force in his life and its what she wanted. She wanted to settle down, have a family and wanted it with River. She wanted to be his family to, she even admitted that to his sister. She trusted Joss like she was her own sister.

Rogue came out and gave her a very small earbud that she put in her ear. Also a guitar that belonged to.Johnny Silverhand which surprised her. She questioned it but Rouge allowed her to borrow it. She had no clue what she was.doing and was scared, everyone on stage set and put in a earbud with the music to help her not forget. She took a deep breath and walked up to the stage. She noticed Joss sitting by him and nodded to her.

The nodd was giving Joss the okay to tell him she had a thing for him. She felt the music begin and smiled at both of them as she began to sing her first song for them but mostly him.

"Attention all Afterlife" she said as she turned winking at River and came up to the stage as everyone moved closer. She was front and center it went dark as she slowly closed her eyes and the music began. Music took a life of its own as the light hit her with a guitar resting against her neck.

Cry Little Sister

She looked at River the whole time and she pulled out the best guitar solos out there and everyone was jumping up and down. But she even screamed the lyrics merging her ability to sing but scream two seperate types. It was a rare ability. She could even see Rouge impressed by the guitar work. Soon the music stopped and everyone was screaming and jumping around.

Joss looked at her brother and smiled "I hope you know she loves you River, she told me if it wasnt for you checking on her like you did after her parents death, she would have killed herself. She told me the day you brought over her parents artifacts she had a gun in her mouth ready to pull the trigger. She would be a wonderful woman for you, she would die for you. The kids love her to because she played their favorite VR game with them, let them win and everything" She patted her brothers back. She heard the first song that ended and clapped.

"I had no clue she could sing like that or even play like that did you??" To the last song was going to be the song that pretty much admitted her feelings for her brother so she kissed his cheek and told him to make sure that he listened to the lyrics in the next one and that she was going to be very vulnerable after it.

She handed back the guitar and switched Closing her eyes for a moment again as she switched gears completely. Another melody came over but it was far more gental.

Nights In White Satin

This song more personal more heartfelt to her no one was there in her mimd but River. Everyone there knew whst was going on its why she kept it small and private, she had no clue how he would react to this. Her foot taping even when she wasnt vocalizing it helped her keep point. But at the last line she slowly made her way up to River. Claire took her by the shoulder and smiled nodding "nice going little sis" Luna loved Claire she was there for her when her husband had been murdered she kissed her cheek in appreciation. Luna sat back down afraid to look at River. Her hand was shaking part due to adrenaline but the other reason she was shivering is because she was afraid he wouldn't like it or that he would reject her.

She removed the fake fangs as Claire smiled as she gave her a small hand bag so she didn't loose them. She saw Claire as a big sister and knew her story. Sighing softly looking into his eyes she smiled weakly. "I care so much about you River and I am here no matter what so if you ever need a partner I am here for you Detective Ward" She looked back down.

She motioned to Claire they would be private room two and she got them in the door shutting behind them. She sat down and sighed a little patting the spot beside her. "I have never been with anyone as you well know that, because there has been only one that ive wanted. I hope you liked the music I meant what I sang"

 

[Craneman8686]

River raised his head as Luna responded to him stating he was leaving the force. Giving her a light smile as, just as he thought, she would understand and not berate him with a million questuons as to why he was making his decision.

Slipping onto a stool finally as she continued to talk. Telling him what he meant to her. The hairs on the back of his neck bristled when she talked about having a BD reader installed into her head. Now wasnt the time to ask her what the hell.she was thinking with that decision so he left it alone when she suddenly ordered and downed another shot and walked off towards the stage.

Suddenly, Joss popped up next to him and her arm draped across his shoulders. He smiled over at her and kissed her cheek as the music fired up with Luna at the helm. Watching her shred the guitar and move around on stage, clearly in control of the group. River recognized the tune of the song and noticed how Luna had rewritten some of the words. Singing it while stared him down. His foot tapping and he smiled back up at her.

As the aong ended, he listened as Joss told him about the feelings Luna had. He had to admit he had grown to care about her as well. With her family gone, he had taken it upon himself to make sure she was taken care of. But now wasnt the time to admit how he cared for her to his sister. She wasnt a helpless kid anymore who had lost her family...she was grown up into a beautiful young woman now.

He shook his head when Joss asked about knowledge of her performing like she was. He smiled. "No, I had no idea." He answered back as the second song began. The words that she was singing drawing him in as he leaned forward and listened closely. Clapping along with his sister when the song ended and Luna climbed down from the stage to walk towards him.

Climbing off the stool as Luna took.his hand and led him to a private room. Glancing back at his sister, seeing her smile and nod as they stepped in and the door closed. Luna sat and patted the seat and River moved over next to her. "That was amazing. I had no idea you could play and sing like that. You're very talented, Luna. I loved it."

 

[Lady_Jade666]

She didn't know how else to explain how much she loves him but it was the last song that meant the world to her after a few moments of Silence that felt like eternity honestly she felt his hand on her leg. The simple gesture made her blush because she never been touched by a man especially River. When she mentioned the BD reader she knew he was upset but she wasn't stupid. Luna knew he picked up the Peter Pan case and she wanted to help him with it. But now it's not the time to tell him that.

"You inspire a lot of things out of me River I'm glad of the choice you're taking because every single night you're out on patrol I worry you're going to be shot and killed,, and then where the hell would I be? The world would be a darker and colder place without you here in it." A soft tear fell down her cheek and she could feel her makeup run but did not care. " I have loved you for over a year you know how hard it is to keep silent for so long due to age?"

She placed her free hand on his cheek "I am always here for you, Joss and her kids. That's why only a handful of people are here you're either family or people that you feel close to there was intimate" she knew nothing sexually was going to happen if at all but she was just saying.

"I love you River and I am unsure how you feel but I had to tell you I couldn't hide it anymore" She removed her hand unsure what he was going to say or do.

 

[Craneman8686]

As River sat next to Luna, both of them alone in the private room, he could still see her trembling lightly. Maybe from nerves or from the excitement of the show she just performed, or a combination of both. Her words ringing in his ears still from her admitting she hadnt been with anyone else.

River reached over and placed a hand lightly on her leg as she continued to stare at the floor. Listening closely as she began speaking again about him inspiring her and how she worries about him. He raises hia hand and wipes the tear away from her cheek. The same way he had when he had to make the trip to her house and found a scared little girl who he had to inform about her parents death.

"I know you worry about me. Everyone does. And I dont mean to do that to all of you. As I said, I am leaving the police department and becoming a private investigator. There will still be some danger but not nearly as much." He admitted to her as they say together.

"I want to be around for a Joss and the kids...and for you." He continued before being interrupted by her professing her love for him and touching his cheek before pulling her hand away.

Thoughts filled his head. His life has been a roller coaster filled with death and danger, the only family he has left, and her. A smile creeping as he realized that he actually felt settled and calmer whenever she was around. And what did he feel for her? How would his sister react to him being with someone so much younger than he was? He supposed they would all find out together.

He reached up and touched her cheek. Making her look at him and nodding lightly. "I love you too, Luna." He leaned to her and kissed her lips gently.

 

[Lady_Jade666]

It was automatic when she felt his hand go on her cheek, the automatic reaction that she placed hers on his looking into his eyes she didn't care about the age difference and she hoped he didn't either because now they she was of 100% legal age. She may have loved him since she was a minor but Luna wouldn't do anything to jeopardize anything. Which is why she never visited him at work she always waited for him to come to her. Her heart was racing feeling his warm lips against yours it was like everything inside her froze but one thing she did know is the second his lips were on hers her eyes closed and she returned the kiss adding more passion to it.

In that moment all she wanted to do was make love to him, but she didn't want her first time to be at the afterlife and figure that's not what he wanted either so she was careful too hold that part of herself down. So she couldn't help but give him a very deep passionate kiss something she'd seen in the movies a billion times. She would always love him that would never change. She felt the kiss break which she stop kissing him even though she got to kiss them for a billion years. She blushed a little.

"River...." she wasn't exactly sure what to say to him he confirmed his affection for her which meant the world to her. She did get him one physical thing. She reached into her bag and a small box had a bow on it and handed it to him, wstching him open it she hoped he liked the.

Earring

"Here let me..." she took his earring out and put the new one in. " I hope you like it I made it. I thought it goes well with ypur earring" she smiled. Placing his Old Earring in the box and in her bag for safe keeping. "As for Joss I got her blessing a few months ago.

I asked her what she would think if I was to possibly have a relationship with you and she thought it would be good for you, she thought I would be good for you. Joss said you guys had a really bad childhood so a little stability would be good in your life is what she quoted exactly"

She smiled taling his hand in his and when she spole to him it was always eye to eye. " I am here for you River and that will never change nothing will ever change my love for you and hopefully one day a time will come I'll be able to prove it to you, your stuck with me sweetheart"

 

[Craneman8686]

River felt as Luna leaned into him. Her soft tongue played against his lips for a moment, begging for entry. He parted his lips and his tongue slipped out to dance and wrap around hers in a slow, passionate kiss.

He pulled back and looked at her a moment as she whispered his name before turning away and digging into her bag. Watching as the box came into view before taking it and pulling the bow. He smiled as he saw the lone earring laying in the box.

"Thank you, Luna." He told her as she asked to help him. Turning his head so she could remove the old earring he wore and slip the new one into his ear. Taking her hand as she reached for his and listening to her say he was stuck with her.

A wider grin played across his lips but before he could respond, the moment of silence was broken by the sound of gunshots ringing out on the street above just outside of the entrance.

His hand left hers as he jumped up from the seat. "Luna, do not move until I come back for you." He ordered her protectively before stepping out of the private room and making his way towards the entrance of the club.

 

[Lady_Jade666]

She was very happy to be there for him and his family. If it had not been for him his nephews and his sister she wouldn't have family herself so she felt like she owed a big time. He was happy that you like the earring she thought it fit the style of the pendant he always wore. She kids tell he was getting ready to say something and all of a sudden they both her gunshots at the same time.

Hearing what he wanted of her "River....I" she didn't get a chance to finish her sentence because he was out and then it was a few more shots until nothing and it was the nothing scared her. She had a really bad feeling she was glad you was wearing a piece but she had a very bad feeling she loved the moment before he was out the door.

She had a really bad feeling and had to run out she didn't want to anger him but if she needed help she could help. But the scene that she saw? Blood was everywhere and she collapsed by him his eye no where to be seen and his hand away from his body. She could tell he was breathing. She acted fast taking his hand gun and shot at the sons of bitches she managed to shoot one dead the others took off on motorcycyles. Shaking her head for a moment she had to sink real quick.

"Joss! I need your help your brother's been shot we need to get him to Viktor" thankfully theu were a block away. She removed her built and put it over the stump. "This will.hurt baby I am sorry. I am NOT losing you" She could see him looking at her and she smiled. "River your going to be oksy" finally she tore fabric off her dress to put it over his bleeding eye or what was left of it anyway.

Joss, Rouge and someothers came out to help. They all walked the same Pace like one machine she kept pressure on his eye until she kicked open the door to Victor's office thankfully nobody was there. She stepped away for a moment so they can put them in the chair and Victor demanded everybody out. Without hesitation everyone left but her. She was sitting by his side..

"I won't be in the way I promise but I am not leaving him he is my everything Viktor, give him the best money can buy I will pay for it because you know I can afford it." She heard him im agony until finally he was given something. When she wasn't by Riverside she was pacing out of the way his surgery went well and unfortunately they couldn't keep the hand. She stopped pacing when she got tired.

But she wouldn't go home....

"River..?" She groaned her back killing her by how she laid all night. She felt his hand stroking hers. Looking into his eyes and tears fell down her face. "You lost so much was blood I..... was so scared I was going to loose you, Joss, Randy, Rouge and her body guard got you here while I made sure you did not bleed to death. They all went home gave Joss a progress report a few hours ago letting her know the surgeries went very well." She let everything sink.

Before she said anything else Viktor Vector came in and smiled.."You Know Detective Ward you have a very loving girl there, she wanted the best and paid for the best. Your hand couldnt be reattached the way it was the gun used to shoot you destroyed your bones, so the bones have been replaced by metal and it will let you use it like if ypu were born with it. Now the hand is detachable but that is only for repairs in case you need them God for good." He grabbed his chair and Luna moved.

"Now we need to know how the eye is working because your eye also had to be replaced as well look at you girl and let me know if your vision is blurred or fuzzy in any way. Since you paid for the best you got nanites he's running through your bodies so by the end of the day you should feel no more pain and no more issues"

 

[Craneman8686]

As River ran up the steps out of the club, the flurry of gunshots grew louder. Reaching the top, he could see two forces in the streets raging war on each other. Militech trucks at one intersection and a block away, firing back, was a smaller force of Tyger claws.

Spotting a group of helpless bystanders, River tried to make his way across the street to them. Suddenly, searing pain filled his body and he fell to the street. Not knowing how bad it was, his arm was numb and his head was filled with blinding light before eventually losing consciousness.

When he came to finally, he found himself in a darker room and tried to look around bit his vision was fuzzy and there was a whirring sound in his head, like a machine working. Hearing Luna's voice talk about him losing so much blood.

Before he could respond to her, he heard the man's voice and tried to focus. He could see clearly out of one eye but the other was scrambled, like a computer running code.

He recognized Viktor as having met a few times and listened as he began explaining the cyberware that had been installed onto his body. River raised his arm and looked at the metallic hand attached to the end of his arm. Flexing and the fingers moved, just like his own would. "Interesting." He muttered.

Turning his head back to look at Viktor, the eye began to focus. His vision was half normal and half....he wasnt sure....like a computer reading. Shaking his head lightly. "I believe it is starting to work now." He answered.

Viktor attached a wire to a port behind River's ear and typed a few keys, clearing up the line of vision for his new cyber eye. "Get me a mirror." River told him.

 

[Lady_Jade666]

Luna had been horrified at everything that happened and it scared the hell out of her that she may lose him forever. Thankfully River was very strong. He was beyond a fighter and she was grateful for that much. Luna heard him mutter "interesting" and she could not help but just worry about everything. Luna was unsure if he was okay, if he was angry or just sad, or just unsure about everything. She had a feeling he was angry he had to be a little angry not at her but at the whole situation.

While River was out cold and she was by his side the 24 hours he was unconscious, Viktor had told her that even if he had gotten there two or three minutes faster it would not have mattered. Due to the bullets, the bullets did too much damage to keep his hand the way it was. A small part of her either wanted a cigarette, pot just something to take away this way she was feeling. Luna had been told by everybody she did what she could do, she did wonderful with that she had. Her first aid training it actually saved his life.

It was then River asked Viktor for a mirror, at first he didn't think it was a good idea and refused, but when he looked at her. That look he gave her was a pleading one. "Okay" Luna went over to Viktor's desk and got a mirror from her bag. By the time she got the mirror the eye was working 100% and Viktor had moved away making room for Luna and she sat on the chair beside him and gave him the mirror. The more you deny someone something like the mirror the worse he may look inside his head which is why she did not hesitate.

"River whatever you see in this mirror I am still with you, told you once already you are stuck with me" she said and she opened up the mirror and showed him his face. "In a couple of weeks the backing that you hear the mechanical sound from? You will be able to be removed so the mechanical sound you might be hearing is not permanent" Viktor left them for the night. Viktor came over before leaving and gave her a spare key, he nodded to them both.

"Luna here is an angel Mr. Ward you are very lucky" Viktor walked out and left them alone.

While he looked at him seeing himself in the mirror. " Sadly the bullet that took your eye there was shrapnel around which is why it's not just an eye. A couple of years ago I had to have an eye put in because Viktor found cancer in it so I had him put in the Kiroshi "Cockatrice" Optics. And because you are going to be a private eye I had the Kiroshi "Cockatrice" Optics put in as well also I had Viktor uploaded NCPD files and every unsolved homicide files put in as well. I figured it would help you with your Private Eye work.

"You are my everything River I did not know what to do. I told Viktor was to put in the best but also to put in as little as possible, I didn't know what to do I hope what I allowed them to was okay. Joss had me do it because she couldn't deal with it, she thought I knew best, which I don't know why but after the shooting Randy took off running and she is trying to find him."

 

[Craneman8686]

Luna was the one to get up a grab the mirror that River asked for. Viktor stated that he didnt think it was a good idea but this was a life changing event. River was already on edge from everything happeneing and he was about to lose his shit when Luna stepped up next to the chair holding the small pocket size mirror.

He watched as Luna tried to hold it for him but he reached out and took the mirror from her. Using it to view his face at different angles. The cyberware eye was different,.no doubt but he couldnt deny the clarity of the view.

He didnt respond to anything she said as he studied his face. The burned and scarred skin around the new eye. The traces of the cyber attachments where Viktor had to implant and attach to gain function. Listening as she informed him of Viktor being able to upload the optics database into the installed shards.

This was his new life now. Half man, half machine now. He didnt want to talk about it. He would deal with it all on his own time but he wouldnt vocalize that as to not hurting Luna's feelings.

River's family was his life from everything that had went down in his past. When Luna mentioned Randy, his nephew, running off and Joss not being able to find him, he sat up in the chair, passing the mirror back to Luna. "We have to go...now." He said simply, but matter of fact.

 

[Lady_Jade666]

Luna had the same files put in her head over a year ago and was glad to it because it showed now that he was a reason for it, sighing softly she looked at him and was not stupid. When he shut up she stopped and had Joss on the Holo "Joss its me listen River is fine and we are going to bring Randy home I promise you, Both River and I have files of NCPD files and all unsolved homicide files both in our eyes now, I know you called the police I can see it right now we are going to swing over we need to look at his rooms, I have a feeling I may know what this is" She said simply "But I promise we will bring him home" She nodded to Joss and took off. She tossed him the keys to his car

"I am not staying so don't even try and suggest it this is why I got what I got put in over a year ago, for you and your family" She sighed softly "We need to go to your home I have only been there once I think this is a coincidence, Joss told me he had Drug problems no thanks to his father. If he has anything in his room or trailer I will find it well we will find it but I can crack and hack any electronic I may not be a Mercenary but I wanted to put myself through some training guess my stupid ass should have shot a damn gun besides what you showed me." She watched him drive and she sighed softly." Nothing was said for the longest time and when he stopped she looked at him.

"Come show me his place" She got out and she saw the little kids and they hugged her but she motioned for River "Hey don't give me all the love your uncle River needs it more then I do" She smiled weakly she knew what he was going to be doing and here was no way in hell she was going to let him deal with everything alone. "River spend time with your family if I find something I will let you know, both of our eyes are connected in a way so what I see and hear you will and here to, I will send you a request which all you have to do is accept you will know how" She sighed softly and as she found inside he placed her hand on the table and closed her eyes crying softly she just got him now she may loose him regardless?

She cleared knew he could hear and see so she tried not to let it show or be heard as she found his room, she scanned it but then noticed something under his bed. Narrowing her eyes it was a fancy laptop the only kind she could afford not a kid with a drug habit, she put it on the desk right when he walked in and she smiled "Do you know the password to his laptop? If not I can crack it.."

 

[Craneman8686]

River climbed from the chair and hurried up the stairs out of Viktor's ripperdoc clinic. Making the passage through Misty's esoterica and out into the streets of Night City. Everything was the same, but still so different with the new information processing through his cyberware eye implant. Everywhere he glanced, there was new feed of informational data for him to view.

He took Luna's hand and made his way to her car with her in tow. Opening it up and finding his blood all over the place as they climbed in. He chose not to comment as he started it up and drove out towards the badlands. He listened as Luna talked while he drove. "You did fine. There's nothing else you could habe done. Thank you for saving me." He told her as he squeezed her hand.

Arriving soon as the dilapidated set of trailers, he climbed out and his niece and nephew ran to him. He tried to scoop them up but found himself still in a bit of pain that would hopefully subside soon. He nodded silently at Luna as she directed him to spend time with his family and she walked off. Making his way to the picnic table set up outside of the trailers where he would grill for himself and the kids.

The holo lit up with Luna calling him and he heard her ask about a laptop password. "Randy didnt have a laptop." He answered back and stood from the table to make his way into the trailer to see what she had found.

 

[Lady_Jade666]

She smiled hearing him walk in she will always remember that walk of his and looked up at him "You were saying? And this laptop isn't cheap I have one like it if it wasn't for my families live insurance policy I wouldn't have one, which means he has to be into something bad. Joss told me he was into drugs big time took him to two different rehabs.

But he still kept at it. I can kind of relate if I hadn't had you I wouldn't have run to drugs to seek solace I would have killed myself" She booted it up and took something from her a small cord with an end that fit into the computer that came from a hidden cord in her wrist that was always hidden by her tattoo of a craven which was why she got it.

Once inside she opened up his emails and saw some files on his computer "Oh my god....." She kept reading and went on the website and a strange animation with a cow being forcibly milked. "Sick fucks." Looking at River this wasn't good "I think he was groomed by that son of a bitch that has been taking kids"

She stood up and had a very bad feeling and started to think. "We need to get to this guy he is on life support and I need to see his Brain Dance its the only way I can scan for clues but we need something he will remember to get him to dream, I know the fucker is in a coma but they can dream if given the right incentive"

"River this animation...." she showed him "meant something to him. I have a bad feeling he is set up at a barn but there are two many in NC to know which and if we don't hurry Randy wont make it. I promised Joss and you we will find him and we will find him alive, take me to the hospital this guy is at I can do the rest. I but somethings in my body in case I could help and now I can."

She placed her hand on his cheek 'I promise we will find him, I give you my word I feel good about this, he has been missing for hours and he keeps them for days. So please don't give up, come on" She said goodbye to Joss and sighed softly, she brought the laptop with them, having River hold it and she saw a nurse, she spoke to her for a minute and motioned River to come forward.

She walked up to the man in a coma and took a small drive she had in her pocket, loaded it in and put it into a slot the guy had in his skull. She put on her eye set and sat down. "You will tell me what you did with Rivers nephew you piece of shit" She said for everyone to hear. She motioned for him to sit down and looked at River "Not sure how familiar you are with brain dances but basically I am pouncing around in his mind that cow cartoon I loaded into his mind and he is reacting to it I can feel it" She sighed crossing her legs

"I will describe everything I see for you but you will need to write everything down and I mean everything once we are done we can figure out the location. This is why I had some stuff put into my head it's nothing you will see but enough to help you and if it wasn't for this we wouldn't know where to be or with what you have installed I can invite you to see what I see though with your implant being new I don't know if it will hurt you, this is your nephew so I will honor what you want"

 

[Craneman8686]

River walked into the trailer and found Luna is Randy's room with an open laptop on his desk. "Where did he get that?" He asked more rhetorical to himself than really looking for an answer. "You kept at it. I'll see if I can find anything else." He told Luna as he started looking around the trailer for more clues.

Hearing Luna call from the bedroom and walking back in, he glanced down at the computer screen and watched the video that was playing on a loop. He listened as Luna explained her thoughts about what was going on. He knew the man she was referring to. They just had to get to him. "Yeah, lets go."

Saying goodbye to his sister, they climbed into the truck and drove to the ripperdoc lab where Harris is in a coma. He stands to the side as Luna sits next to the chair and plugs in with her cord. River grabs a notepad and writes down everything that Luna tells him she is seeing during her connection.

He walks to the opposite side of the bed as she is finishing up. Leaning down close. His new cyberware hand gripping Harris' throat as he leans close. "If anything has happened to my nephew, you're a dead man." His whispers in Harris' ear.

Looking down at the notepad. "I think I know where he is." River tells Luna and they head out to make their way towards the suspected barn location.

 

[Lady_Jade666]

She was picking up important information that knew she would need she had been in this city for years and knew a lot about it, when she closed the laptop, she was worried about River, she hugged his sister and smiled at her. She tried not to make promises she did not know if she could keep, but she was hoping he was alive so what she would say to River was right. Luna heard what River said to him and when he looked at her, she gave River a small nod in agreement and followed his lead, getting into his truck. She was so afraid they would find him dead, and she knew if that happened, he would kill Harris and she did not want to see him behind bars. But Luna wouldn’t stop him, that was something he would have to live with, not her.

On the way there she looked at him and had no idea what to say, seeing his one hand rest on the cars shifter it was the new hand. She hesitated but placed her hand on his and squeezed it. His hand did not bother her, she loved him for the man he was, and this did not bother her. She was only afraid he would pull away it was her silent way of showing her love and support for him. When the truck stopped, she squeezed his hand so he would look at him. "I know a lot is going on River, I know you will need alone time with everything that has happened to you and your family but please don't shut me out, I will give you all the space you need after this. But I am here for you and your family, like you were there for me."

She looked around and looked around seeing turrets and she used her free hand to wave in front of her where she could see a screen, he would be able to see what she sees because they were still connected after the dive into Harris's head. She disabled the turrets, but she caught something on screen, looking at River. "We will get your nephew back River" She gave him a soft peck on the lips to show affection but was careful not to suffocate. "Now let’s go get him" She quickly got out of the truck, and she brought up the schematics of the place. "Follow me" She ran to a big room where cattle would be housed normally but instead there were many beds and at least six people, she ran right to his nephew’s side.

"River over here!" she cried out.

He was strapped to the bed his arms and legs and what looked like a black mask, but she knew it was used for Oxygen. "Hang on Randy" She pulled off the mask, at first, he did not move. She moved the tiny flap from her wrist, and she grabbed the cord from her wrist and placed it in a implant behind his ear. "I had this done in case something ever happened to you, what I will feel will not be nice I have never used it but...." She looked down "I would do anything for you and your family River" She thanked God for having it and Luna She her eyes and she was rebooting his system which was physically hurting her and hurting her badly she had never used it and was told by Vicktor it would the first few times.

As tears fell down her face, she heard him gasp for air “Thank you god” she said lowly and opened her eyes. She disconnected from Randy and scanned him “He is going to be okay” Luna said with a kind smile, looking at River. She placed her hand on River’s shoulder helping Randy to sit up. “Stay with Randy I will check on the others, I have called in for back up since we need an ambulance.” She got up and while he was with his nephew she walked away silently crying, Luna had never felt that much pain, but it was then she realized how much she cared for River, willing to physically hurt herself to help him? Out of the six only one died this case was closed and after a while help came. She watched as the ambulance had Randy and smiled.

“If you want to go with him in the ambulance, I can follow you in your truck” She offered shacking off the after effects of what she did.