Best Friends Fornever (Off Camera)

[Lady Munin]

"And so as you can see we are ahead of schedule by a month!"

A polite smarting of applause trickles through the air of the sophisticated high rise conference room. The slightest of smiles stapled onto well maintained corporate faces. Nothing too big as they wouldn't want to develope smile lines, or God forbid do anything to damage their cold posh veneer.

It was odd how they start to look and sound a like after the first five minutes.

They're like dolls...cold, perfect, and lifeless.

"I'm sure you would agree that we should quicken the release date as soon as possible. We could release product early to a very few elite that can afford it."

Murmurs of agreement circle the room followed by the typical lifeless smiles. Some even more morbid than others when formed on bright red painted lips.

No, not like dolls, at least dolls are different from each other.These people might as well be faceless corpses, but oh how their eyes light up at the mention of money.

More money, as if they need more than they already have twice over.

It honestly feels better to pretend that they aren't real.

To think that real people would stab each other in the back for another measly thousand dollars to add to their millions. The thought is depressing and disgusting to say the least.

Which brings us to a very simple conclusion.

"Why do I sit here and listen to this bull shit?"


Munin clicks off her digital voice recorder, and turns to face the startled faces surrounding her.

"Miss Martin, I believe that we have already discussed my plans for the upcoming release. I trust that I can leave you to explain them to the rest of the class."

The lovely blonde woman to Munin's right gives her an amused smile.

"That will not be a problem ma'am, I will be happy to send you detailed notes by five."

Rising from her seat with a fluid grace, Munin graces the room with a cold smile.

"Thank you Miss Martin, I'll leave this meeting in your capable hands."

......................

The sound of a fist meeting a punching bag reverberates loudly in the silence of the nearly empty gym.

The smell of sweat tears and blood hung in the air....OK not really. It's more like the smell of sweat and industrial cleaning products. Not the most pleasant aroma to most people, but it smelt like heaven to Munin.

This was real.

The continuous strain of muscles, the sound and feel of her fist hitting the punching bag.

This is real, not a pack of jackals pretending to be civilized humans.

"Aren't you supposed to be in a board room, or did you ask your Miss Martin to sit in on yet another meeting?"

The voice a whisper near her ear is a testament to how lost in thought Munin was...much to her disgust.

Anticipating the elbow jab and kick, Hugin quick steps back with a chuckle.

"You're always so quick to relocate my ribs as of late...I'm going to start thinking you aren't happy to see me."

Turning Munin graces his words with a brilliant smile. A smile that leaves the normally stoic man dazzled.

"That's because I'm not happy to see you."

Smile gone, Munin grabs a nearby towel to wipe the cooling perspiration from her skin.

With a resigned sigh, Hugin falls back into his typical cold demeanor. Slumping against a nearby column he locks eyes with an irate Munin.

"Stop glaring at me..."

Munin arches an eyebrow, as Hugin raises his hands in mock surrender.

"I come in peace, or should I say in business? This isn't exactly a social call."

Turning her back is dismissal, she rolls her head from side to side. Shaking the hours of strain, and then continuing her vendetta against the punching bag.

"So mature, was that the reason you left GZW again as well?"

Hugin watches her back with unguarded eyes. The sadness and loss in his gazed is not evident in his voice.

"That last injury must have scared the young man you've taken under your wing. We're you doing the mature thing by not returning after your recovery? Despite the many calls from upper management..."

The only answer to his question is the sound of fist beating the bag.

"So you dropped out of the game and turned your focus towards business and being the mature little mother. You even bought a few fixer upper businesses and turned them into profit making machines. You should be quite happy..."

Straightening from the column, Hugin begins to pace.

"But you aren't happy. In fact I would dare to say you are driving yourself insane."

For a moment Munin misses a beat in her punch. It was one moment of hesitation, but a moment that Hugin took as victory. Smiling triumphantly Hugin pauses in his pacing.

"Did you think I wouldn't notice you selling off the smaller companies?"

Not missing a beat Munin switches to her kicks.

"Did you think I'd care about whether or not you'd find out?"

"I sold a few companies, so what. It was the right time to sell them."

Hugin scratches at his chin, his smile replaced by I look of solemnity.

"So you're trying to tell me you were truly ready to leave GZW? Before they had even seen more than a glimpse of your potential?"

He chuckles at the thought.

"You may have that puppy you call a boyfriend fooled but I know the truth. When you saw the kid's reaction to you being hurt it scared you to death. It made you remember what it was like to lose someone, and you were terrified that he would ever feel the way you felt...when you lost your parents."

His words seem loud in the suddenly silent room.

"It's a shame that I wasn't there, I never would have let you leave. You can't deny that I've always kept you focused. I would have pushed you to talk to Travis about your worries.Now look at you, driving yourself insane because more than anything in the world you want to be back in the thick of things."

He lowers his voice when she turns to face him. Her fist are clenched white, and her lips pressed in a hard line. The agitation she feels at having this mostly one sided conversation is clear, from her narrowed eyes to her tense muscles.

Hugin raises his eyebrows at her silence.

"I don't hear you saying I'm wrong Munin."

"Maybe that's because the sooner you finish talking the sooner you can leave."

"Ouch!"

Hugin clutches at his heart in mock pain, and ramps up his sarcastic charm.

"Fine, play that line, but you can't tell me that you're ok with those clowns tearing through GZW. With little to no resistance other than Kolic, Kate, and who else? The Happy Bus Driver?"

Hugin chuckles and it isn't pleasant.

"How is that supposed to work out?"

"Kolic may be good but he is only one man. Besides the clown brigade you have a neo version of the slaughter house running around, some guy pretending to be the crow, and a pastor...of some sort...because that always goes so well."

"Who says that I care?"

Hugin stops in his tracks to throw her a disgusted look.

"You can call me names, you can beat me silly, but don't try to shovel bull shit down my throat. I might not run in the same circle as you for the past god forsaken years, but I know you better than anyone Munin."

Hugin brushes a hand through his jet black hair with a sigh.

"You have the most practical and effective coping and processing mechanisms that I've ever seen. I firmly believe that you can overcome anything when properly motivated, but when you fall into a rut you wallow in it with equal passion. It was never an issue though was it, because I was always there to pull you out. Who is there to pull you out now Nin?"

Hugin's voice is hushed and raw with emotion. His sarcastic veneer replaced with solemnity edged with anger and resentment.

On the contrary Munin's fire seems to have burnt out. Replaced instead with a weary caution on her paler than usual face.

"Does he even realize there is something wrong. I highly doubt he does."

His words louder than the previous hushed whisper burn the air with his disgusted tone.

"Hugin...I think its time for you to leave."

"No I don't think it is, because despite knowing you so well I have one question. One thing I can't figure out after all this time."

He paces as he talks, loosening his tie in agitation.

"Why him? Why in God's name are you with the likes of Alex Cross? How does he even compare to me, and the companionship that we had?"

Hugin sighs at the silence that meets his words, and collapses against the column once more.

He looks up at Munin, soaking in the sight of her. Even in her current unkempt state she is one of the most beautiful things in the world to him. While the almost pity in her eyes is the most infuriating and painful thing.

"Don't pity me, I might have the biggest ego in the world but I know I am better for you than him. Have you listened to him lately? The way he talks about breaking Eva I mean-"

"Are you done talking?"

Grabbing a near by towel Munin starts to rub off the cooling sweat from her work out.

"I gotta say this is the longest I've ever seen you listen to your own voice."

"I see I hit a nerve, but I'm surprised myself. Surprised that it took you so to find your voice."

If Hugin is caught off guard by the sudden shift in conversation he doesn't show it. If anything he becomes more collected.

"Did it take that long for me to quote un quote find my voice, or did I just want to how long you would actually monologue."

Shaking his head Hugin gives a nasty chuckle.

You can crack jokes and throw witty barbs all you like, but I don't hear you arguing with a single thing I've said."

"You always were observant, so what? What exactly do you want me to say? That we don't know each other inside and out. That we weren't pretty much as close as two people can be!"

Throwing her towel to the side she advances on him.

"I say again, so what? I swear to God its the same thing every time I see you. You're beating a dead horse"

Stopping she looks at him with exasperation.

"What do you want Hugin?"

"What I can't have apparently."

his mocking tone drips with vindictive disgust.

"It's a pity that you'll never push yourself to rejoin GZW. Such a waste."

His expression turns cold without a glimmer of emotion. His words and expression makes Munin mirror him, but her eyes are far from emotionless, they burn with fury.

"I say again, it's time for you to leave Hugin."

He waves a hand at her dismissively.

"Don't worry, I'll show myself out..."

Turning away he starts to walk away his steps loud in the acute silence of the gym. He doesn't take more than a few steps, before halting to pick up his hat from a nearby machine.

"I'm guessing that if I asked you what you'll decide to do?..."

Her answer is swift and without hesitation.

"My answer would be none of your god damned business."

Doffing his hat with a nasty smirk.

"That's what I thought, nice to finally meet you kid. Maybe next time we'll make it to introductions."

Munin whips around at his, and is more than a little surprised to see Travis straightening up from behind the corner of the ring.

"Travis?"

Rubbing his brown tousled hair sheepishly, Travis shrugs awkwardly.

"Yeah, sorry I didn't mean to eavesdrop but-"

"How long have you been listening?"

Turning around Hugin adopts an air of mock helpfulness.

"Oh, he has been there from nearly the beginning."

Rolling her eyes Munin throws her hands into air.

"Thank you Hugin!"

Her sarcasm isn't lost on Hugin, in fact he seems to be truly enjoying himself for the first time this encounter.

"Don't worry, happy to help. You could even say the pleasure is all mine."

Both Muinin and Travis look at his gleeful face with aggravation.

Munin's voice turns harsh, losing all traces of the calm voice she used with Travis.

"Good bye Hugin!"

"For now..."

Smile wide Hugin leaves whistling obnoxiously as he does so.

Travis seems to be mustering up his courage during Munin's distraction.
"The as- uh jerk aside, I think we need to talk..."

Looking into his determined eyes she lets out a sigh of defeat.

"Yeah I guess we do. Come on lets go grab something to eat."

Letting out the breath he'd been holding he offers her a shaky smile.

"Yeah, that sounds good."

[Alex Cross]

The young Alex Cross watches as Hugin speeds away in his car leaving a cloud of smoke behind. He looks back at the building and rubs at his chin before shaking his head and stepping inside and up to the nearby desk.

Hey is Munin around?

The young lady looked up and smiled.

Sure, I'll have her meet you over there if you'd like to wait.

Thanks.

Just as she lifts the phone to her ear Munin and Travis walk. Travis looking slightly awkward and Munin annoyed. Though a arm around the young mans shoulder makes it obvious that her ire isn't directed at him.

"Oh, here they are just in time."

Putting the phone back in the cradle with a clack, the young blonde goes back to her paper work. Alex smiles as he walks up to Munin and gives her a small kiss on the lips.

Care to tell me what the hell that was about or would that be something better held for another time when it's just the two of us?

With a sigh and rueful smile, Munin tousles Travis's hair. Earning her an instant sigh of pure teen frustration to her answer.

"There's no point in that, someone has been practicing their eavesdropping skills.

"Eh, you make it sound like I'm five!"

Face splitting into her first real smile of the day Munin chuckles.

"There is no way I could mistake you for five...Five year olds aren't angst enough to be compared too."

Travis grumbles at her comment, but takes her words with a grain of salt. Alex smiles warmly at the two.

So why was he here then? I could of course take the easy route and just track him down and beat the information out of him.

Alex pauses for a moment before smiling and nodding to himself.

I do like the sound of that.

Munin just shakes her head at his idea. Her face dropping all signs of amusement once more.

"No that would be pointless and you have a match coming up."

She adjusts her bag on to her shoulder as she says this. Already uncomfortable with the conversation.

"Despite the fact that he hasn't wrestled professionally in sometime, he can still keep up with just about anyone in the ring. Besides he is being pissy, so I'll be more forthcoming and honest."

I'd happily take my chances Munin but thanks for the heads up.

Cocking her head to the side she observes him for a moment, before pretending to flick imaginary lint from her grey cut off shoulder X-Men T-Shirt. Realizing that she has perhaps been to analytic once again.

"He felt the need to let me know that he knows I have sold a number of companies, and may sell more. I kindly informed him that it didn't surprise me as I wasn't trying to hide anything."

At this point Munin pauses to roll her eyes and flick a strand of long black hair out of her face.

"He then proceeded to monologue about how well he thinks he knows me."

With those droll words Munin digs in her bag for a moment before pulling out her sunglasses. Glasses in place she steps through sliding gym doors with a sigh. Alex and Travis share a look before following her. Alex turns back to look in the general direction of where the car was headed.

I wonder why he can't seem to catch the hint that he isn't wanted here nor is his opinion needed.

Alex turns to look back at the two in front of him.

I assume you told him to piss off as only you can?

"Yes, I did in a way, and he may eventually back off one day."

A strained look breaks through her bored mask for a moment, and Munin finds herself eternally grateful for the glasses acting as a shield between her and the rest of the world. She adjusts her bag once more in a nervous fidget, uncharacteristic to her normal body language. Alex turns towards Munin with a perplexed look.

Something on your mind?

"I've got plenty of things on my mind. Namely how terrible it is that Hugin's unwanted advice and observations are almost always bloody right."

Its nearly impossible to keep the bitterness from her voice and the frustration.

We all have those people in our lives Munin. It sucks but unfortunately they exist if for no other reason than to shove it down our throats how much we need them even though we don't.

"Hey I'm hungry, are you guys hungry?"

Catching the synchronized looks of slight surprise, Travis merely shrugs his shoulders.

"What? I'm a growing boy, I mean man."

I haven't eaten anything since breakfast so I could go for something.

He looks over at Munin.

What can I say? I'm a growing boy, I mean man.

He turns and winks at Travis. Munin leans against her car with a slight smile. The painful clutch on her heart easing at their goofy expressions.

"I could go for some food myself. Are you riding with me Travis?"

"Uh no, actually I was hoping to catch a ride with Alex. I mean if that's okay with you."

He pushes a hand through his shaggy hair in his own nervous tell. Once upon a time he would fidget with his overly large clothes when nervous, but now his close were his own and fit him just right. He would be forever grateful just to be rid of the hand me downs. Though on the flip side it seemed pretty stupid to be nervous over possibly being told no. Then again maybe this was what living normal did to you...well at least as normal as you can get living with Munin as your mom. Alex smiles.

I got not problem with it so long as Munin doesn't.

Already looking for keys Munin shoots both of her boys an amused smile.

"Not at all, and not to be a stereotypical but I'm hungry for Japanese. Are you okay with eating at Charlie's place?"

Sounds good to me. Hop in Travis and we'll see who gets there first.

He winks at Munin before slipping his shades on, turning and running to the car with Travis close behind. The two hop in the car and within a few moments the engine turns over and smoke can be seen coming from the tires as it speeds out of the parking lot. Munin pauses to watch them fondly before sliding into her own car. Any traces of happiness on her face slipping away as she does so. Is this what an amputee feels like when they think about explaining what not having their arm feels like? How having something be a part of you all your life be gone, and the phantom pain that reminds you it was once there. How do you explain that you didn't have to communicate everything you thought or felt before, because there was someone who typically anticipated. As her unvoiced questions go unanswered, Munin cranks up the engine with a sigh. At least there was one thing she knew how to talk about, but damn she hated it when Hugin was right. Munin pulls out her phone as she comes to the stop sign, and after quickly finding her desired number waits for someone to answer. She doesn't have to wait long.

"Hello this is Munin....Yes I'm doing well and yourself?...Good...Listen, is your previous offer still on the table?...Perfect...That's nice but unnecessary...I can be in the office tomorrow at 3 o'clock to sign. Will that work for you?...Very good....We can go over the details then...Yes, thank you good bye."

.......