Chapter Three

Three clear knocks on the door before Ken quietly calls out. "Karen, it's Ken, may I come in?"

"All good!" The Skipper shouts louder than preferred.

"Oh, boy... it's gonna be a long session..."

Ken steels himself as he slips into the room seeing the Skipper properly draped underneath the sheets, and after instinctively going through the script of checking in on the client, how the table and lighting is, and receiving the client's approval, no time is wasted in getting to work.

And what better way to start than on the neck? 

"Man... feels nice. Didn't know I had knots like that back there!" The Skipper sighs in relief as she sinks into Ken's hands.

"Well... I'd be surprised if you didn't have knots back here, Boss." Ken states. "Especially with all the bullets flyin' your way and the fist fights you dished out."

"You had your fair share of bullet flying your way, too y'kno- Oh woooooow! I dunno what you're doin' to my neck, but that feels awesome!" The Skipper moans in pleasure as her neck sinks into Ken's fingers before continuing . "But from what I saw, the poor idiots were sprayin' bullets at you to because they were scared you were gonna tear 'em apart. I almost felt jealous."

The earns a chuckle from Ken. "'mind me which poor idiots you're talkin'bout?"

A sinister grin curves. "Taking bets on Australia, the Neo Johor, or-"

"I swear, if you say 'New Florida' I will immobilize you." The threat sounds more akin to a plead than it's true nature

"Sorry, sorry!" The Skipper chuckles. "Still, s'not every day I get a massage straight from the grave."

The wincing in Ken's muscles nearly disrupts the flow. "Guess some guys returning from the underworld want to work first class." 

"Remind me to put that on shirt." The Skipper says. "Seriously, though, I know you made your call, and heck, I approve of it... heartily."

Ken slightly frowns but stays silent letting the Skipper continue.

"Its just... well... you're not pissed right? With uh... y'know tracking you down and surprising you like this?"

"Are you going to drug and kidnap me to some unknown location in the middle of international waters where you have some creepy temple devoted to me and want me to notice you?" 

"Ew, gross, no!" 

Ken smirks. "Then I'm only mildly creeped out. Still, can't believe you guys found me."

"Well, y'know Olga." The Skipper says. "She has her ways." 

"From what I heard, you guys have been doin' pretty well since I left." Ken notes. "Like you said: Hong Kong went better than you expected, right?"

"True. Though that one was just messy from the start. And in a lotta cases, literally."

"And are ya gonna tell me, or are ya just gonna leave me in suspense about what happened?" Ken lightheartedly asks.

"Next time when you're off the clock." The Skipper answers. "Preferably on a day off where we can chill over a nice meal."

The two further delve into other topics, mostly on favorite contracts from tracking down that pop idol stalker, to rescuing all those tuxedo-clad corgis, or even that night in Taipei. Those memories bring a smile to Ken's face.

"So I see you brought Cleo and Deo along for the ride." Ken mentions.

"Yeah, y'know they miss you big time, right?" The Skipper tells her.

Ken responds with a nod even though the Skipper couldn't see it. "Did they get bookings, too?"

"You insult me!" The Skipper feigns shock. "And yeah I did. Though I'm worried about Gil."

Ken rolls her eyes. "What did he do THIS time?"

The Skipper chuckles. "Its more like what he may do. And 'fore you throw me under the bus, the kid volunteered to come here."

Ken is at a loss with what the Skipper is implying. "Care'da clarify, Boss?"

The Skipper rolls her eyes. "Seriously? 'Member the last time we went to that resort in Phuket an' that housekeeper lady came by?"

"When Cleo an' I went out to the pool an' beach, an' you stayed behind with Deo?" Ken smiles remembering that was a good day.

The Skipper nods. "Well... I forgot my new manga back at the room, soo... I went back an' when I opened the door... well... lets just say the bedroom was messier than it was before she showed up."

Ken gasps silently. "Wait... that's the reason you insisted Cleo and I have a 'girls night out'?"

"You're welcome, by the way." The Skipper mutters before shuddering. "It... was... everywhere..."

"Breakthrough was that big?" Ken asks innocently.

The Skipper stammers and nervously bites her lip. "Yeeeeaaaaah... definitely a big breakthrough for THAT gig alright..."

"I still don't understand why Cleo and I weren't allowed to tag along on that job, though."

"Thought you guys needed a well-deserved vacay after all the work you did." The Skipper shrugs her shoulders. "'Sides, that job was... somethin' me and Deo could only do. Can't say more than that."

"Think you meant to say, 'somethin' Deo and I could only do'." Ken corrects her.

"Hey, you're a masseuse, nodda grammar queen."

"Massage practitioner." Ken corrects her, again.

"Huh?"

"My instructor hates the term masseuse. She prefers 'massage practitioner.' Sounds more professional I believe."

"Meh, fine massage practitioner, sure." The Skipper dismisses. "Anyways, long as Deo doesn't get the poor girl in trouble."

Ken just snickers and stays silent.

Ken smiles but stays silent and continues his session, fluidly moving through the process of her neck, her arms, and legs. By the time the Skipper flipped on her side with her head resting on the face cradle, she breaks the silence.

"Ken I..." She pauses, biting her lip.

Ken stops and leans down close to her. "Everything okay?"

The Skipper couldn't help but chuckle.

"Listen... I don'ave an easier way to say this so Imma just wing it. We're here to... catch up with you." She quickly squeezes in. "But we're not here to haul ya back into the crew."

Ken's brows furrow. "Why'ya tellin' me this?"

"Well... teammate or no, you're family to us. Besides, I wouldn't be doing my job if I didn't check up on you every now and then."

Ken is silent letting the air growing heavy. After leaving the Skipper in suspense, she finally speaks. "Well... Imma be real here, Boss. When I gave the slip to the gig, that was just me... gettin'way from that whole fustercluck, and never looking back. I popped here for the clean slate, and you guys bein' here, frankly, its just... frustrating that you guys just... showed up! Unannounced, I might add!"

The Skipper keeps quiet as Ken begins to vent.

"Moment I ghosted, no breadcrumbs, 'specially after a big boom like that, thought you guys would get the memo when you pieced it together! No contracts, no crazy adventures, no... stupid mistakes! It hasn't been easy, heck, sometimes civilian life been overwhelming! But that's why I became a spa practitioner! That's why I'm happy that I'm working full-time here! Every time I come here, I have clear objectives, I'm focused, and I go home mostly exhausted but satisfied, and pass out watching MWM. Rinse and repeat! This... you comin' here... this just... ruins the whole vibe!"

The Skipper's eyes flutter saddened by what she heard but keeps silent.

"Massage therapy gave me a clear understanding of boundaries, Boss, so lemme s'plain mine: After I'm off the clock, Imma bail, maybe shop for cock cakes, go home stuff my face with the good with ViTuber wonder. And let me emphasize that I'm goin' alone. Understand?"

The faint nod from the Skipper's head confirms everything. "I hear ya, Ken. Sorry."

Ken nods. "Thank you."

With a sense of relief, nothing stops Ken from resuming his duties. 

Though he would appreciate the heavy silence being less solemn and more upbeat. 

"Me and my big mouth..." His soft breath carries his regret, thankful the Skipper didn't at least hear him.