The Drifters

"Just something I thought you might like," Serith admitted with a shrug and a little smile. In the package was a USB drive. Once she had opened it he explained. "Well, I know that you wanted a chance to see what the others are doing while we are gone, right? This is programed to hack the cameras at the base. Put it in a laptop and you will be able to see what is going on in any room at any time."

Lessa smiled and gave him a hug, "thank you. This really does mean a lot to me. How did the talk with the girlfriend go?"

"Uh, well," Serith hesitated and reddened a little as he spoke, "I guess not so well. I mean, she kind of kicked me out last night."

"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that. I really didn't think it would go that bad, I mean you still had her after disappearing for a few days," Lessa frowned, it was clear she felt bad.

"Oh no, it's okay," Serith shook his head as he spoke. "It's not your fault or anything and I'm doing okay. We have beds at the precinct and I just put some of my stuff in storage. And last time... well..." he hesitated before he slowly spoke, "Last time she kind of cheated on me anyway. I figured it out when I got back after disappearing and found clothing that I didn't own in the house."

"Oh, I see," Lessa frowned. "You know, if you ever need a place we have a lot of spare rooms at the base."

"I wouldn't want to be intruding or anything though," Serith admitted with a shrug. "And it's okay. I'm pretty self-sustaining. Thank you though for the offer."

Lessa just nodded and quietly excused herself to go check on the car, she couldn't explain why she felt so hurt by what he had said.

Unsure of what to do Serith turned away to find a spot to work on his laptop. The flight was long but fairly quiet, and when they landed they were taken to the hotel suite that they would be staying in for the month.

When they arrived Lessa spent a lot of time alone getting to know the area and the streets so she could get around easily to and from the races.

Serith spent much of his time trying to learn the layout so he could best defend her while West found himself wandering off in search of good souvenirs for his kids. They would have three days before the first of three races.

Just before the race Lessa called Sabine to check in on him and see if he had any last minute things to say, she had spend as much time as possible away from Serith since they arrived.

Sabine sounded a little drowsy when she called but he was able to give her a fair amount of advice on how to best run the race. It was clear that he wasn't too worried about the preliminaries for her.

Serith had noticed her absence but, not wanting to disturb her before the race, he had decided to ask her about it afterward.

Lessa thanked him and prepped for the race carefully avoiding many of the other drivers, she knew she also got very little respect as a female driver - especially in other countries like this.

The other drivers seemed a little disgusted by her but there was one other female in the race who proved to be very fast. Although there were a few incredible drivers most of them didn't seem to be particularly good, so it was fairly easy for all of the Americans to make the cut for the next round.

Lessa seemed to relax a little after pulling second in the race, she still wasn't very talkative or engaging. She didn't want to bother the others but also didn't want to be around Seritha nd deal with more sadness.

Once the race had ended Serith approached her on the track and offered her a smile as he spoke. "You looked great out there Lessa!"

"Oh, thank you," Lessa said with a light blush as she pushed a lock of hair out of her face and tried to avoid eye contact.

Seeing the avoidance Serith hesitated before he carefully spoke. "Actually I wanted to ask you something," he admitted. "There's this restaurant I've really been wanting to try here. Would you be willing to go with me tonight? It can be a way for you to celebrate a little."

"That would be nice," Lessa said softly as she glanced up at him, it surprised her he was even willing to ask.

Serith was clearly relieved and offered her a bright smile before he turned to head back to his surveillance of the area. Later that night he waited for her near the door of the hotel suite in a nicer-than-normal outfit and freshly shaved. He had been worried that maybe he was just scraggly and she didn't like that or something.

A few minutes later Lessa stepped out in a short but simple blue kimono. her hair was held up by a single jeweled pin, she blushed lightly upon seeing him.

Upon seeing her Serith couldn't help but pause. She really did look beautiful. "You look really nice," he offered her a soft smile as he stepped up to her side to offer his arm in a gesture of politeness. He was a little nervous that he might sound like a creep if he actually called her beautiful. "Are you ready to go?"

"Yes," Lessa said quietly as she took his arm softly. "You clean up nicely... Not that you didn't look good before but you look better now. Please don't take that the wrong way, I mean you have always looked good and you know what I'll just shut up now."

Serith couldn't help but chuckle a little at her awkwardness, he thought it was really cute. "I understand, thank you," he smiled back at her, and after a moment of thought he placed a quick kiss on her cheek before he guided her the couple of blocks out to the small but cozy sushi restaurant.