When I count, there are only you and I together
But when I look ahead up the white road
There is always another one walking beside you
===
"You're going to see him, aren't you?"
"Onee-chan - "
"You are." Katarina put her hands on her hips and slid right in front of Minako to block the door out of her apartment. Minako nearly ran into her; aside from being one of Interpol's finest, she also had the reflexes of a young cat and the same kind of eyes. Narrow, bright, and intense. "You're going to see that journalist again."
She rolled her eyes. "I told him three interviews."
"I told you no."
"Onee-chan - "
"This is just what he wants. Trust."
"He's just a reporter!" She laughed lightly. Katarina wasn't just quick, but severe, and narrowed her eyes. "It's not Minako Aino going to see the big, mean reporter. It's Sailor V!" She struck a pose, V-fingers over her eyes. "He thinks I'm an all-powerful superhero. One Cresent Beam and he'll be punished!" She was all smiles.
Which only made Katarina's expression grow darker. "Minako."
"What?"
"Don't."
She tried to step around Katarina but was promptly blocked with an easy expertise that only a practiced officer could muster. "Don't like him."
"He's twenty!" Minako laughed, rolling her eyes a second time. "I'm not going to like him. He doesn't even know who I am! If he knew I was thirteen, he'd laugh in my face."
"Minako, I'm serious."
"So am I!"
Katarina held her gaze for one more moment before stepping out of the way. "Be careful," she said simply, and then moved to open the door and let Minako out.
The hallway was cold and Minako shoved her hands in her pockets as Katarina closed and then locked the door behind her. It took a moment's pause before she climbed the stairs to the roof. When her feet hit the tar, she was transformed, and it was a five minute commute across roofs and over alleys to the newspaper headquarters.
She tried to keep Katarina's words in her mind as she landed, light-footed on the rough tar. That all he wanted was trust, and that three meetings would never be enough.
"V. I was almost worried you'd beg off." Her head whipped around just as Alan emerged from behind some sort of rooftop unit, finishing off a cigarette and grinning.
She snorted. "Why would I beg off?" she demanded, hands falling to her hips.
"Because, toots, you'll miss me when this is over."
His eyes caught hers. Her stomach seized.
"One hour," she reminded him, and watched him pull out his note pad.
