Cat and Mouse

Chapter 1: Shocking News

Disclaimer: I do not own Jak X: Combat Racing or any of the characters there within, they are the property of Naughty Dog, etc.

The sun had already set when Rayn began walking back to the garage from the Naughty Ottsel, the saloon that had once been her father's, carrying her computerized notepad and deftly rearranged files; her father could be such a messy sort. Her heels clicked down the gray, monotonous alleyways she vaguely remembered walking from her brief visits to Haven City as a child. Even as she walked and worked studiously at the notepad, she was aware of her surroundings, but it grew difficult to see into dark corners the compacted buildings formed as the last rays of sunlight faded.

Rayn had turned the last corner to the alleyway that led straight to the mobile garage another quarter mile off, but a rogue puff of smoke beneath a stranded overpass caught her eye.

"Good evening."

Rayn started at the voice, heavily accented, but not like her own; she stopped short as her eyes strained to see the owner of the voice through the gloom.

A long drag on the cigarette faintly illuminated a sharp jaw line and pointed nose, and Rayn recognized the slinky stranger with a shock. She pressed the notepad to her chest as the little light went out and a sharply dressed man stepped out of the shadows. It was none other than Mizo's prized championship racer, Razer.

"It's not safe for a young lady such as yourself to be wandering the streets this time of night," The man took another drag and blew the smoke to one side, then motioned to himself with his cigarette hand; leaving a curling trail of smoke with the motion. "Perhaps you would like an escort?" Contempt creased the woman's brow.

"No, I'm perfectly capable of walking the last stretch myself, thank you." She made to pass on his left, but he stepped into her path.

"You can never be too careful; who knows what kind of city vermin may be waiting to spring on a lady."

Rayn clutched at her precious notepad, but her expression of lightly teasing skepticism did not falter. "Such as a retired racer?" Razer hummed in amusement.

"Oh yes, they're the worst kind; but I am not a retired racer." He smiled spitefully at her confusion, but then she was lightly teasing again.

"Last I checked, spending countless hours at the bar table does not a racer make. Who knew retirement of such a grand title dwindles so quickly to mindless barbarism?"

The racer's face turned ugly one moment, but he seemed to regain his integrity with the contended thought that he knew something the crime boss' daughter did not. Ignoring her impious smile, he gestured with his cigarette hand in mock surprise. "You didn't know?" Razer chuckled and took another drag. "I'm coming out of retirement; just for your Jak." He paused to watch Rayn's reaction, her smile had fallen with lips parted, but no sound came from them. The racer continued. "He's proved to be a rather trying menace to Mizo. I must say it will be thrilling to meet that boy of yours on the track. I'll have a Peacemaker marker ready for him." Razer took another long drag, enjoying the woman's scandalized alarm. "I would love to say good-bye to him before the race, if you would like my escort."

"Mizo must be very desperate to pull you from retirement so suddenly."

"I asked him to."

Rayn blinked twice and processed this new information.

"I was appalled with the races this season, and I'm sure I could make the wager much more interesting." He stepped towards her and gestured his cigarette hand towards her as though to imply his knowledge of a specific bet between the major bosses.

The woman's shock turned to pertinent objection as she glanced once at his hand and returned her scathing gaze towards him. She did not reply to the insinuative offer. Razer rolled his eyes up and hummed in a condescending way, but did not argue. "No matter," he said, shrugging off the rejection as though casually flicking a speck of dust off his cuffs and continued with an air of nonchalance. "I was actually told to waylay a message from G.T. Blitz. Since Jak has proved so, ah, resistant with the media, he requests an audience with you." The racer's eyes slid over to her, surveying. Her eyes widened before growing suspicious. This entire situation had every sign of a trap, and she had just felt the first tug of the line. Rayn chose her words carefully; taking the same care to study his initial reaction.

"Why did he not come here himself? Why send you?"

Razer shrugged vaguely. "He's a busy man, you know how those journalists are. I try to help out where I can. It would make him very happy if you entertained an interview."

Rayn stood at her full height, like a cat bristling at a threat.

"I'm afraid I will have to decline. I'm already running late for a meeting with my racers." Rayn took a step back as Razer slowly advanced on her.

"Oh, I think Mister Blitz will be very disappointed to hear that. Crushed even. You do not have fifteen minutes to spare for him? Truly you cannot be so heartless?" By this time, Razer had advanced so far on Rayn that the woman's back was now a mere handbreadth from the wall behind her. Razer reached out and placed a hand on the wall beside her head. Rayn's back hit the wall. The heady smell of smoke and spices washed over her and she was suddenly struck dizzy; he was much too close. She convinced herself that the shiver that ran up her spin was one of revulsion and nothing else.

Razer smiled when she started. She held the notepad between them like a barrier, but the man appeared unaffected by device or action as he leaned closer to her; his velvety voice sighed. "He may be very offended."

Rayn shook off the nearness of the man to the best of her ability, though unable to entirely dissipate the heat that still rose pink in her cheeks, she bit out a snapping retort.

"I am not interested in a grandiose, superficial interview with that pompous imbecile," She said defiantly, though her voice did quiver slightly.

"Really?" Razer murmured in amusement, leaning more heavily against the wall. The woman pressed back to restore a more comfortable distance, but the wall would not move. "You do not wish for the attention the media will give you? I'm sure the…appeal will not be an issue." He said and gave an appreciative look over the woman's curves. The chauvinistic air brought her back to her senses.

"No," Rayn said sharply, pushing off the wall and moving into Razer's face; his expression changed drastically as he was forced to step back to recover from the outburst. "We have enough hovering camera's and blatant live reviews as it is. You can just tell that smarmy Blitz I refuse," and it was here Rayn flashed the startled Razer a vicious smile, "and maybe if the blighter is in a good mood, he won't kill the messenger." She cut around him and began to walk off when Razer, composing himself with a pull at his jacket to straighten his collar, hailed her.

"My, my, the cat has claws," he smiled, impressed, and caught up to her slowing stride in an unimposing manner. "But don't leave in a temper, I did not mean to offend. I would not leave a negative impression on the late crime boss' daughter." Razer looked mockingly remorseful. The smooth barb pierced Rayn and she was surprised at the hurt it caused. What gave this man any right to mention her father so aloofly? A man with ties to the crime family that rivaled hers? However, when she turned to glance at him over her shoulder, her expression was cold.

"Indeed."

Razer was smiling again; the sting was in place and would smart for some time to come.

"Please be careful for the remainder of your stroll."

She glared at him once more and began to take her leave, but Razer hailed her again.

"Wait! Are you not going to wish a championship racer good luck?"

Rayn paused in her stride, her back to him for a moment before she turned to face him; a small, wicked smile curled the edges of her lips.

"I will when I see him."

She was pleased to see Razer's face contort before she took her next step toward the garage. He had detained her long enough, she was going to be horrendously late.

Razer watched the woman walk away with a pride and confidence that he had not suspected from the shrinking mouse she presented herself to be. In that brief conversation they had shared, the woman presented a small taste of what she was capable of. Razer was not sure what to make of it. She had a fire in her he found incredibly appealing, and a tongue laden with searing insults. Perhaps he could find a better use for it.

Still, for all her intoxicating curves and natural beauty; a woman should know her place. He would never take second to the inferior gender. And that woman did not seem the championship-racer-worshipping type.

The racer watched as the woman retreated with that sensual cat-walk of hers.

He took a long drag on his cigarette and exhaled the smoke through his nostrils.

The boss was not going to be very happy with this.

Razer on the other hand just set my hands on fire--I loved writing for him for this whole thing! He's just so snooty, I love it. I usually hate writing the chauvanistic side to guys because it just gets me in a tizzy, but then that's just my vision of Razer. Smooth-talker that looks down on everyone else but the boss that pays him. Go figure.

Anywho, I will definitely have a second chapter to this, perhaps a third. I'm still working chapter layout in my head. (And the second chapter is, for the most part, written already so I hope to post it soon.)

Tell me what you all think! I deeply appreciate reviews! (Especially since this series is getting on in years--where's that fourth game!?)

Blackfire 18