It's about an hour and a half later when Party finally emerges, his hair slightly ruffled so that I can see the roots of his natural hair starting to peek through. It looks good on him though, making the brighter red ends more distinguished.

Me, Jet and Neon are sat in the diner when he walks in, talking about how were going to coax Kobra to stop working for long enough to get some proper lunch down him.

"Hey" Party slides into the booth next to me with a lopsided smile, wrapping an arm around my waist under the table as he speaks "you could've woke me up, I wouldn't have minded."

"You looked cute sleeping" I shrug. I don't think I could have brought myself to wake him up when he had looked so peaceful for once, like all his worries had been temporarily lifted from his shoulders, ready to be dumped back down on him the minute he opened his eyes and blinked himself awake.

"I'm glad you're up actually" Jet placed down his glass of water "I was wondering if you'd go see Dr Death for a proper debrief of the other day. Ghouls sleeping off his night shift and I want to keep an eye on Kobra, make sure he eats and sleeps. Silver's too weak to boss him around properly."

"Sure" Party doesn't comment on his brother. He probably knows that no ones going to be able to stop Kobra from working dawn till dusk and then into the night if it means finding a way to save Silver. Instead he turns to me "wanna come with me?"

"Yeah ok" I agree instantly, figuring that any time alone with Party would be good time.

"Have fun" Neon chuckles, standing up with a little wobble "I'm fine, I'm fine" she quickly rushes, swatting away Jets hand, which he is holding out hesitantly to her, not sure weather she's going to stumble and fall or weather she's stable again.

"You're getting worse" Party frowns "Neon you really need to take it easy, preserve the energy you have left."

"I'm okay. It's nothing compared to Silver." As much as what she says is true, I can still see the pain behind her perfectly shaped eyes, and the slight shake in her hands as they grip the back of the seat tightly.

"All the same, go careful" Party turns to Jet "watch out for her?"

"Of course" he nods.

"There's no need-" she starts.

"We're looking out for you Neon. No argument" Jet stands up and places a hand on her shoulder "You don't have to be brave twenty four seven. Let someone else look after you for a change."

She just sighs and looks over at the two of us.

"If I have to be careful then so do you two" she grumbles, looking us both in the eyes for a few moments "I know it's just routine, but be back before sundown okay?"

"Of course" Party stands and grabs his gun, stuffing it into the holster that's strapped to his side. "Come on Spark, we might as well get going."

Half an hour later and we're speeding down the highway, the windows are down and the radio's blasting loud enough that I can only just about hear Party singing along. His voice is different to what I would've expected - it's melodic and I actually think he has talent there. I wouldn't have put him down as a singer, but he sure does have a good set of pipes.

"Who is this?" I ask, interrupting him after the second chorus. The band sounds similar to the one that i heard in the Battery last time we were there, and i'm impressed by their music. They've got real talent, and they sing with rebellious lyrics that i'm sure are written just to spite Korse and his dracs further. 

"The Mad Gear And Missile Kid" Party grins over at me, his teeth showing "they're my favourite band, and real cool guys too." 

"You know them?" 

"Yeah, they're based over in zone seven, and they're real party animals. You always have a good time if they're around. They know how to liven up a place alright, and they're always up for any sort of fight. Cyanide's pretty tight with them actually, it's how her and Ghoul met." 

"They're killjoys too then?" 

"All the best people are" he winks before remembering that i'm not officially one of them "and you too, of course. Although you know it wouldn't hurt you to officially join our ranks. I know why you like to work alone, but if you're going to stick around with me then you're practically going to be one anyway. Plus it would make Dr Death's day...." he trailed off, glancing over at me as he tries to sense weather i'm about to cave or if he needs to add more. 

"I guess" I nod, looking out at the road ahead of me "i mean, i want to officially be part of your group, and if becoming a killjoy means that then sure. I think i've avoided it long enough" i chuckle "although people like Crash are going to wonder why i've had a complete personality change." 

"That's love for you" Party grins before realising what's he's said. The car slows down a bit as his eyes go wide in shock and he looks over at me, trying to spot if i realised his mistake. Not that i would call it that.

"You... love me?" I give a small smile, feeling almost shy all of a sudden, which is not something i normally feel. Ever. Angry? yes. Moody? Hell yes. Tired, anxious, vengeful, depressed? Yes. But nervous and what can only be described as fluttery, no. 

"Would it be problematic if i did?" He pulls the car over to the side of the road and unclips his seatbelt so he can face me properly. It looks like i'm not the only one that's nervous, as he's biting his lip and his eyes are still big. 

"No, no that would be pretty great" I copy him in unclipping my seatbelt and moving closer. 

"Good" he breathed again "because i really love you. I realised back when you went into the fire. I've never felt this way before and it scared me shitless to see you climb up there, knowing that you might not make it-" 

I shut him up by climbing over the middle of the car, landing with a thump on his lap with my knees either side. My hands rest either side of his face as i look right into his eyes, giving a small giggle as i do so. 

"I love you too" I grin before kissing him. He chuckles against my lips before kissing me back, his hands moving all over - from my neck to my back and then to my thighs. I give a slight moan and let him push me back against the dashboard, our hips moving together in sync. If i thought it was hot in the car before then i was being a wuss, because now it really is boiling. 

"We can't... not right here..." he pants, pulling away and groaning when i keep moving against him despite his warning. 

"Yes we fucking can" I growl before pulling him back towards me by the front of his jacket. Our lips smash together as his hands travel up inside my t-shirt to massage my breasts, causing me to moan against his mouth. I lean down and undo his jeans, pushing them down enough that his cock can spring free. Getting my jeans off it more tricky, but after a moment or two of pulling and manoeuvring I manage to yank them off. 

He's already hard, but I still take the opportunity to wrap my hands around him and play with him, but I go at a teasingly slow pace that makes him buck his hips with frustration. 

"I need you now" He growls, and I happily let him grab my hips and bring me down on him. Im sat on his laps with my legs either side, so he's instantly deep inside me, roughly grabbing my hips and slamming them down against himself. 

"Fuck baby" I cry out, practically seeing stars. It's boiling in the car but neither of us care, all I can think about is how good he feels and how I'm never going to be satisfied again unless I'm doing this. I roll my hips, and he hits a new angle within me that has me digging my nails into his shoulders. 

"You feel so good" he tips his head back so that he can kiss me properly. 

Within a few minutes I'm coming, and he's not far behind me, gasping and grabbing at every bit of my skin he can reach. 

"I fucking love you" He says between pants. I slowly move off of him and collapse back into the passenger seat, my legs still feeling like jelly.

"I love you too." 

*

We turn up to Dr Death's base a little later than expected. Luckily our clothes aren't rumpled or our hair a mess, which are the usual giveaway signs to the fact that we'd been too preoccupied with each other to remember our original plans. 

The only sign that we're together at all is our linked hands as we walk along the corridor to his office/broadcasting station. He hasn't moved base yet, although he's thinking about doing so within the next few days. 

Now that i've exchanged the i-love-you's with Party i'm even more determined to become an official killjoy. I never want to go back to a life without him and the others, so there wouldn't be any point in my refusal. 

"Party! Spark!" He grins when he first see's us, ushering us both over to the seats in front of him. It doesn't take long for us to go over what happened back at the droid's place, and how the hostages had given us up to the dracs, resulting in a chase and then their place being set on fire. 

"Sounds like you're a bit of a hero Spark" he smiles after we've finished "still contemplating my proposal of joining the ranks?" He's eagerly leaning over the desk, his hands clasped in front of him as he studies my expression. 

"Actually, i've decided to accept" i grin, feeling Party's grip on my hand tighten in a happy squeeze "sign me up." 

"Excellent!" He booms "Well i'd tell Party to show you the ropes but you pretty much know everything already. Just get your bike fitted with a radio at some point and then you're sorted. I'll make sure to include you in all of the fab four's missions." 

"Thanks" I grin. 

"No problem. Welcome to the ranks, Spark. It's a pleasure to have you." 

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I'm on holiday writing this so hopefully i can try and write a shitload whilst i'm here. I think this is actually getting somewhat near the end now.... :(