Night City is home to all walks of life, and its not uncommon to see some poor homeless junkie sleeping on the same street a successful Corpo suit is walking to work on. Nor is it rare to see pious monks preaching about the false flesh of metal not to far from a ripper doc's clinic where someone is borging out. No, instead a rare sight is currently sitting in one of Night City's more prominent restaurants.

Pepper & Spice was well known for its transcontinental fusion menu, as well as its decent selection of organic options. The place was popular with the corporate crowd due to the quality of the food, the reasonably priced entrees, and the fact that it offered a wide variety of seating options. There were open tables that allowed one to see the small stage where local buskers would often be permitted to play. Small private dining rooms that could be reserved for larger meetings that required a level of privacy one wouldn't find in a restaurant otherwise. Finally, there were the small, semi-private booths with high backs on the benches, and decorative curtains. These were often reserved for couples, or those with business that required discretion, but not outright privacy. Currently, one of these booths was occupied by two men who couldn't have appeared more different if they tried.

One was dressed as your standard Arasaka suit, save for the amount of cyberware dotting his pale skin. His dark hair had been cut short and professionally styled, but not overly so. And while the Arasaka dress code did allow for facial hair, he preferred to be clean shaven. Sure, this showed off the minor scars to dot parts around his face, but in Night City, that didn't matter. Scars were always a probability in even the safest and controlled Corpo gigs. The man was right at home sitting against the padded bench of the booth he was currently seated at, a bottle of beer held gently in one hand.

The other man looked oddly out of place compared to his companion. His tanned skin seemed a bit darker in the dimmed light of the restaurant, but did little to hide the scars and marks on his face. His brown hair had been trimmed on the sides, while the rest of it was pulled back into what would best be called a 'man bun'. Clad in a quality leather jacket with matching pants and a dark shirt underneath, he looked like he'd be more at home outside one of the night clubs scattered around the city. Indeed, if it wasn't for the hearty laughter he was sharing with the suit-clad man across from him, one might have assumed the larger man was in the roll of bodyguard for the suit.

Their laughter brought an offended scoff from one of the tables nearest to them, but neither of them paid it any mind as their waiter dropped off their meals.

"You know V, I'm almost certain the suit at the table behind us is thinking 'who let that guy in?'" The leather-clad man gave a nod to the waiter, "gracias."

"Wouldn't be the first time, Jackie." V gave a nod of his head as the waiter departed. "Then again, we've been kicked out of ritzier places."

"True, though I wouldn't exactly call pepper and spice fine dining." Jackie let out a soft chuckle and picked up his silverware, eyes going to his meal; Organic steak with fire-roaster farm-grown vegetables. "Still, definitely a couple floors up from most of the other establishments around here." He popped a bite of carrot into his mouth and hummed at the pleasant taste. "Say, you think I could bring Misty here sometime?"

"Wouldn't get your hopes up." V replied, using his chopsticks to pick up a piece of sushi from the tray before him. "The only reason they probably haven't kicked you out yet is because you're with me." He reached down to his side and pulled the ID badge that identified him as an Arasaka employee from his pocket. "Also, need I remind you that the only reason we were able to get a table here is because of me."

"Ah, that may be true choom...But look, I've got it all planned out." He spread his hands out over the table, as if he had a presentation laid over it instead of their dinner. "Look, you, me, and Misty all get cleaned up real nice – like we are now, and come in as a group. You get us a table like this for three; you and me on one side, Misty sits on the other across from me. Shortly after we get seated and the waiter stops by to get our drink order, you have to take a 'call'."

"Jack, I can hear the quotation marks you put on that word..." V shook his head, failing to hide his smile as he motioned for Jackie to continue.

"Maybe, but anyways...You excuse yourself a moment, and while you're gone – we order our drinks. You come back after a few minutes all apologetic and remorseful that you have to leave on business." He grinned, green eyes shining. "Sure, they may not like having me and Misty here alone, but we've already ordered something and it would be bad for them to kick us out. Thus, leaving me and Misty to enjoy the evening without worry."

"Uh huh. Alright Jack, I'll give you some credit for that idea." The other man laughed, eyes glancing over to the drink menu that had been left on the table. "I've just one question Jackie."

"And that is?"

"How do you plan on paying for your meals?" V grinned as he played his trump card, causing Jackie to sigh.

"Ah, you got me there." He conceded defeat as he took a bite of his steak. His eyes momentarily glazed over in delight at the juicy and savory flavor of the first organic steak he had eaten in quite some time washed over him. "Still, she deserves to experience food like this at some point in our relationship."

"Well, maybe save some of your meal for her then?" The corpo gestured to Jackie's food with his drink as another bite of steak disappeared.

"No way." Jackie speared a potato and pointed his now sheathed fork at V. "Misty deserves more than a couple bites of steak and left-over bits of vegetables. She deserves a whole plate for herself...Hey, you mind if I get a to-go order for her?"

V nearly choked on his drink as he held back a laugh. "With the way you eat? I'd be surprised if that second plate even made it halfway to Watson before it mysteriously disappears. I can hear you now; Sorry Misty, we got attacked by Animals on the way back an-"

The poor impersonation was cut off by Jackie reaching across the table to shove his whole palm in V's face to silence him. "Hey, I can restrain myself you know." Jackie's mouth morphed into a frown, but his eyes were bright as he withdrew his hand. "Oh! What if I got her something she likes but I don't?"

"Like sushi?" There was an almost malicious grin on V's face as he picked up a piece of katsuo and brought it dangerously close to Jackie's steak. The red of the tuna a sharp contrast to the seared brown of the beef.

"Gah! At least hold that over the candle to cook it a little first homes." He spread one of his hands over his plate, shielding it while using his other to point at the burning candle that served as a centerpiece. "I still don't understand how you two can eat that stuff."

"Same way you eat your food Jackie." He pulled the piece of fish back and popped it in his mouth.

"You know what I mean." Jackie retracted his own hand and ate another bite. "Anyhow, you know how rare it is for me to get to enjoy 'ganic steak. Let alone eat a meal someone else had cooked for me from scratch and not out of an All-Foods box meal. No offense meant to Misty, she makes RaMMMMMen taste like the fresh stuff you get from the street vendors."

"Jackie, two things. First. Don't pronounce it like that. Second. Your mom owns a restaurant." V raised an eyebrow, "also, don't know where you're getting that idea from. Mama Welles has cooked for us every time I've come over to visit you recently."

"That's how its advertised homes." He frowned, "also, she's cooked for you. Mamá doesn't bring out the synth-sirloin for just anybody..." Jackie snorted, chasing his latest bite of potato down with a swig of his beer. "Though while this is good, I'm still going to argue that hers is better."

"Maybe." V took a drink of his own. "Got to admit that Mama Welles does make a mean synth-beef fajita. What kind of spices does she even use to get fake meat to taste so good?"

"Welles family secret." He hid a smile behind his bottle. "It took a good thirty years before Abuelita even breathed a peep of the combination to her...And I doubt Mamá will ever tell me."

"That's because you can't cook to save your life." Another piece of sushi was shown off to Jackie as V pitched his voice low. "Maybe you should have tried to make sushi that time in Mexico."

"Dios mio." Jackie bowed his head, one hand moving up to hide his face further. " Don't remind me."

"Aw come on, who the hell calls themselves "El Jefe" without knowing how to cook?" V couldn't help but laugh as Jackie's frown only grew.

"How was I supposed to know they were looking for someone who could cook as opposed to someone who could 'cook'?" His voice was low, matching V's in volume and tone. "I mean, not that I can do either one but..." He shrugged, heavily debating sacrificing a piece of carrot to be ammunition to launch at V's head. Instead, he went a different route. "Eh, then again...What was I supposed to expect working with the mighty spy hunter?"

"Ugh Jack, don't remind me either..." It was V's turn to hide his head. "I'm...really not proud of our time in Mexico."

"Not even at the brothel?" Sensing the heavy air his comment had brought to his friend, Jackie tried to lighten the mood without suddenly shifting the subject.

"You mean the one we hid in to avoid those gonks from the cartel?" V looked back up, eyes wide but with a tiny smile on his face. "The one owned by a family friend of your mom's?"

"That's the one." Jackie returned the smile.

"Just gonna say that when I get to the pearly gates, I'm going to have a lot of explaining to do to Saint Peter...and most of its going to be because of you." The small smile was still there, but it was quickly fading. "Then again, who knows if we'd even make it..."

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Jackie gently fingered the golden crucifix to hang around his neck. "First John one nine."

"Jackie..."

"Just saying." He shrugged, flagging down their waiter to order another round of drinks. "Though I would like to see you explain to Saint Peter how you mastered to pull off wearing that dress Rosario let you borrow."

"...I am just thankful no one asked me to turn around." The two men shared a knowing look, before clicking their bottles together in a toast to the past. Another round of laughter was shared between the two as they continued to eat. The conversation now switching to Jackie's latest escapade around Watson. Then over to V's latest Corpo dealings.

"Have you heard anymore on the recent incident at Arasaka Academy, you told me on the holo that someone chanced on a loophole?" Jackie questioned as the waiter cleared away their empty plates and inquired if they would like dessert. "Yeah, can I get the pastel de tres leches? Haven't had a decent one since Abuelita died."

"Nothing for me. Thank you." V smiled as the waiter left, turning his attention back to his friend. "Yeah, apparently some kid fried half the system with a bootleg software update some backrooms programmer whipped up after he couldn't afford the actual upgrade. The only reason it worked was because some glitter-freak in the IT department scrapped the network security for eddies. The junkie is fucked, and so's the kid. Someone's gonna have to pay for it."

"Poor kid, probably owes more in damages than the upgrade would have cost them." Jackie sighed, "I'm just wondering how he got into Arasaka Academy to begin with if he can't even afford an upgrade."

"Scholarship. Legacy. Family had money, then lost it." V raised a finger with each option he listed off. "Don't know if they still have that policy that children of employees can attend for a slightly reduced tuition fee."

"Don't think they do, otherwise my cousin had other reasons for not going when she had the chance." Jackie smiled as the waiter returned and set his dessert down. "Say, didn't you go there as a legacy?"

"Yeah. Can't help but feel the application was more a formality than anything." A sigh left V's mouth, though Jackie couldn't say exactly what might have caused it. "Still recall how my parents looked the day that acceptance letter arrived at our house. Mom cried, and the only time I ever saw my father look prouder was when I actually graduated." He closed his eyes a moment, thinking. "Bet Mama Welles would have had a similar reaction if you had ever applied and got it, no?"

"Homes, 'saka 'cademy sent me a rejection letter and I didn't even apply." Jackie laughed and tried a bite of his dessert. "We Welles are street smart, but when it comes to the books?" He shrugged, "seriously though, I appreciate the sentiment."

"Don't sell yourself short Jackie. It's the-" V's words were cut off, and Jackie could see the subtle lighting up of V's eyes as someone called him on his holo implant. "Ah, hang on a second...Unknown caller? Hello?"

"Someone wants a little privacy." Jackie kept the thought to himself as he watched V. While he couldn't hear anything from the caller, he could tell their words had an effect on his friend as V's face shifted from curious to slightly annoyed.

"Woah. Woah. Slow down a moment..." Though whomever was on the other end of the line couldn't see, V had a hand raised in the universal signal for stop.

"Vinny?! Where did you get that name!?" The annoyed yet relaxed demeanor that V had been sporting vanished, replaced with one more fit for a businessman whose deal had gone south.

"Vinny?" Not once in all their years together had Jackie ever heard someone call him that. He kept the thought to himself and instead ate another bite of cake, eyes and ears still on his friend.

"Start talking, and don't even try to lie to me." Jackie knew that tone of voice meant V wasn't happy. He watched as V's hand form into a fist, and could tell it was taking almost everything he had to hold back from hitting something to vent that frustration.

"Shit..." One of V's hands came up to cradle his head, while the other reached for his drink. He gently swirled the liquid inside the bottle, considering the words of the person on the other end of the line. "What? Yeah. Yeah, I'm still here...just thinking...Look, can't you call someone else? Like your father? Or another family member?"

"Call someone else?" Jackie raised an eyebrow. It wasn't his first time being with V when the man would take a call about a job. And he knew from past experiences that V would fish for a bit more information before saying anything concrete. This was one of the few times he had ever heard V be so...direct with the other person. And the first time he had ever heard the man propose that they call someone else instead of him about a job?

A long sigh escaped V before he took a small sip of his drink. His free hand moving to gently massage the side of his head. Both of these actions seemed to return V to the calm Corpo personality as he asked another question. "Don't you have a job?"

"The Academy doesn't offer a student assistance program anymore?" One of V's fingers began to idly tap on the table, his eyes rolling slightly as Jackie suppressed a small snort behind another bite of cake. It was common knowledge that the Academy's assistance programs were little more than glorified loans with outrageous interest rates. A program designed to ensure that only the best of the best were accepted or remained to go on and work for Arasaka.

"Speak of your demons and they shall appear." Jackie didn't know why that old saying popped into his head, but it seemed fitting given the subject they were just discussing.

"Sounds about right." V failed to keep his snort in at whatever the caller's answer to his question was and he shared a knowing look with Jackie. "But again, why call me about this?"

Another long sigh escaped V, along with some of the color for his face. "I'm gonna go out on a limb here and guess you're with her right now? Yeah, look. Just send me your location, alright?"

"Must be someone in hot water...Maybe a student or teacher from the Academy? Still, why call someone in counter intelligence for that?" Jackie kept his thoughts to himself, noticing that V was staring straight ahead. His face was showing almost no emotion, and what little color it had had faded. Instead, an icy calm was radiating from the Corpo he called a friend.

"I'll take care of it..." With that, V ended the call before downing what remained of his beer. Raising a hand, V signaled for a waiter.

"Bad news?" Jackie couldn't keep his curiosity suppressed any longer. The desire to know more only growing as he heard V order three shots of the restaurant's strongest alcohol, and to put a rush on the check.

"That depends on your definition of the word." V let out a sigh as he checked over what Jackie assumed were the details he asked the mystery caller to send him.

"Alright V, what was that about?" He ate another bite of cake. "Someone from Arasaka Academy need help?"

"Uh, sort of. This is going to seem unrelated but..." He took a deep breath as the waiter set down his shots and the check. "Do you remember that girl I told you about from...Roughly eighteen years ago now? The one I had been seeing for a little over a year or so?"

"Maybe just a little, but I'll humor you." Jackie's eyebrows couldn't get any higher, even with augs. "Yeah, I remember you telling me about her. Actually, thinking about it now, that's the longest relationship I've ever heard of you holding. Though I can't quite remember her name. What was it? Flora or something like that?"

"That doesn't matter..." V reached for the first shot and held it, his eyes focused on the golden liquid within. "What does matter is that she's in the hospital."

"Lots of folks land in the hospital..." Jackie narrowed his eyes, studying his friend. There was an odd tension in V's muscles that usually only showed when he was preparing to get into conflict. "Come on, I've known you long enough to know that this is a little more than concern over someone just being in the hospital."

"She can't afford to pay the bills..." The first shot went down V's throat, the glass being unceremoniously dropped even as he picked up the check. Jackie had caught sight of the total for their meals and drinks. And while he flinched at the sight, V had just reached into his wallet and started counting out more than enough eddies to pay for their meals nearly twice over. The amount seemed a bit much for Jackie, but he knew it was little more than a drop in a bucket for V. Still, the fact that some chick he hadn't seen in forever was calling him up, looking for money to pay her bills?

"Wow, what a bitch." The words left Jackie's mouth before he had a chance to stop them.

"Excuse me?" The briefest flash of anger passed through V's eyes as he nearly slammed the eddies on the table. That reaction had been entirely unexpected and Jackie leaned back slightly in defense.

"Sorry." Jackie dipped his head quickly in apology. "But I'm just saying. You don't see this chica for nearly two decades and now, out of nowhere she calls you, looking for money? No offense meant homes but...Well, you can see how this looks and sounds to someone on the outside."

"I understand your concern Jack, but..." The second shot founds its way into V's hand. "It...wasn't her who called."

"Then who?" Jackie picked up his own drink. "Trauma Team? The doc working on her? Concerned family member?"

"Yeah, that last one." V took a deep breath and downed the shot, "her kid...He, he was in in the car with her when they got into an accident. He came out with just a few minor scratches, but she's really banged up...Trauma found them but wouldn't do shit, so they got brought in by the authorities instead."

"So that's why the kid called a total stranger in his mom's phone?" Jackie blinked, trying to understand everyone's thought process. "To give out an update about a woman you haven't seen in like twenty years?"

"Kid said he had no one else to call..." There was a level of concern in V's eyes that Jackie had only seen a handful of times before. But what really caught him was the fact his voice had a similar hint of concern.

"That still doesn't quite answer the question." Jackie's head tilted to one side, "also, I can't believe you still have the same number nearly two decades later."

"Arasaka bureaucracy. It was my work number when I joined the company, and too much of a bitch to get replaced." V's eyes dipped down to the pocket where he kept his ID badge. "And apparently she kept my number, but had me listed as being for emergencies only."

"And I suppose this would classify as an emergency?" He reached for his beer and took a sip. "Still, why keep the number of an old flame, especially after so long?"

"Why does anyone do anything Jack? Still, if I had to guess?" V closed his eyes a moment. "Because she knew if she really needed help, that if she could reach me...That I would answer..."

"And?" Jackie could tell there was more V wanted to say, but didn't want to push him too much. Instead, he took another drink and waited.

"And because, thinking about it now. Her son...might be mine."

Jackie thanked every deity and power he could think of that he had swallowed before hearing V's answer. Still, that didn't stop him from awkwardly clearing his throat a few times as he tried to collect the thoughts now flying through his mind. "So...what- ugh, excuse me. What are you going to do now?"

"I'm going to go to the 'hospital' she's at to get some more details." V stood up then, hands idly fixing his suit jacket before reaching for his last shot. Giving a nod, Jackie made to stand, but V held out a hand to stop him. "Relax Jack, finish your dessert. Like you said, it's not everyday you get treated to food like this." He downed the shot, giving a tiny hum of appreciation for it.

"Hermano? I could win a bet and make you bring me here virtually anytime." He picked up the remains of his cake and ate it in one bite. "But getting to see your best choom see his old flame for the first time in years? And see him meeting his potential kid at the same time?" The final dregs of his beer chased after the cake. "That's a once in a lifetime deal."

"I'm not talking you out of this, am I?" V shook his head as Jackie adjusted his own jacket, the two walking towards the exit of the restaurant.

"Look. If this lady and her kid are as bad off as you're making it sound, it's obvious they're not in the best part of Night City." Jackie grinned and flexed his fists as they stepped out of the soft light of the restaurant and into the brightness of Night City. "You might need some back up if this all goes to hell."

"Alright, I'll give you that." V gave a nod and motioned for Jackie to follow him across the street to the parking lot where he had left his car. A beautiful black and red Emperor 620 Ragnar, the standard issue car for Arasaka counter intelligence. Unlike the civilian version, this one had been modified to have an armored body, and bulletproof glass. Capable of seating five armored agents, a drone, and a good amount of cargo. Given the recent revelation, Jackie could only think of one thing to say as V unlocked the vehicle.

"You sure you didn't know you might be a parent?" He smiled, ignoring the inquiring death glare V was sending his way. "What? You already have the mom car."

V's glare lessened just slightly as he held the bridge of his nose and unlocked the car. "Jackie, you know this is Corpo standard."

"Oh come on. It was too perfect an opportunity to make that joke." Jackie sent a pout V's way as he climbed into the passenger's seat.

"Jackie, you're going to be the death of me..." V settled into the driver's seat and started the car. "Mostly because, I'm going to kill us both, just so I can drag you to hell."

"Alright, sorry." Jackie sighed, buckling his seatbelt as V began to drive. The two drove a short distance in silence, V's eyes fixated more on the road and the address he had been sent than anything else. Normally, Jackie didn't mind a silent car ride, but the air in the car made it feel heavier and more uncomfortable than normal. "Say, it's feeling a little heavy in here. You mind if I put on some music?"

"Go ahead." Jackie's hand reached towards the radio, but before it could connect with the buttons, V's hand was blocking it. "Though Jack, if you put on Body Heat radio again, I'm gonna beat the Pon-Pon Shit out of you."

"Fair." Jackie grinned as V's hand fell away, his own switching through stations until he found the one he wanted. "Think we'll just go with some smooth relaxing jazz, alright?" A grunt was V's reply as the highway came into view. Making the sign of the cross, Jackie adjusted his seatbelt as V hit the gas.