Heaven
Am I just in heaven or Las Vegas
That's why it is more brighter than the sun is to me
Reaching this itch in my soul
That's like any old playing card
It must be why I'm thinking of Las Vegas
Why it's more brighter than the sun is to me
“Heaven or Las Vegas” - Cocteau Twins
Tucson, Arizona. Our next “home”. A long journey, about 11 hours from the outskirts of Night City. Nothing I wasn’t used to, the Bakkers primarily camped around Los Angeles, but my origins had come from the East Coast. I was born in a small New England town, a little coastal community. The pollution, flooding, and disease-ridden mosquitoes should have been enough to encourage my family to ditch the area. Though the environmental factors were seemingly secondary to their desire to escape the Atlantic seaboard. I was never truly convinced that we left in search of a “new beginning”, but decided not to question the sentiment too much.
We spent some time around Boston, then ventured down to some area near New Orleans. I was far too young to really remember any of this, as I was only about 5 years old when we had finally settled in Southern California.
As a teenager, I would often accompany the older scouts in long journeys up and down the West Coast. Gathering information, supplies, etc. It was during these trips I developed and honed in on my combat skills.
Laying in the tent tonight brought back my early Bakker memories. My first night on the outside of Night City left me restless. Although I was physically worn and exhausted, my mind was wired like a faulty S.C.S.M.
I looked up at the roof of the tent, watching the fabric puff in and out like a giant chest breathing. The wind rustling outside, although comforting, was making it that much harder to shut my head down.
“V?” Judy’s half-asleep voice croaked.
I felt a rustle beside me, a hand gently lay itself down over my chest. I turned my head over to the side to see Judy looking at me with concern. Her tired eyes blinked slowly, attempting to keep herself conscious long enough for me to respond.
“Hi there.” I murmured, a weak smirk playing on the ends of my lips.
“V,” Judy yawned, “have you slept any?”
I shook my head.
“Calabacita…” She sighed.
I rested my hand on the side of Judy’s face, stroking her cheek gently. She hummed softly and nuzzled into my touch.
“V, seriously though, you should sleep.” Judy said, her voice sounding more awake.
I sighed softly and looked back up to the roof, hoping to somehow be hypnotized into sleep by the giant’s breathing. Judy gently rubbed my chest, scooting her body closer into me. She rested her head on my shoulder and started running her fingers in small circles on my skin. My eyes slowly fluttered shut as I felt a small warm kiss meet the side of my neck.
Images of Mikoshi flooded into my head. The pixelated scenery, Johnny’s hand on my shoulder… The sound of his voice.
“V, wake up.” He demanded sternly.
His grip on my shoulder tightened.
“V! Seriously, we don’t have time for this!” He snarled.
His silver cybernetic hand slapped me across the face, leaving a bitter sting.
“Johnny!” My eyes shot open.
I was dreaming.
“V, holy shit.” Judy’s voice muttered.
I looked over to my side to see her kneeled beside the bed, her hands resting on my shoulders. Her deep brown eyes peered into mine, filled to the brim with concern.
“Judy…” I croaked.
I cleared my throat and rubbed my eyes. The sudden sting of a headache burned in my temples. I groaned and grabbed my head, my eyes wrinkled shut in agony.
“Baby, are you okay?” Judy asked, her voice trembling with fear.
I nodded slowly and removed my hands from my head. I reached out and took her hands into mine, giving them a gentle squeeze.
“I’m okay, Jude, really. It was just a nightmare.” I replied as I slowly sat myself up.
I shivered realizing that my skin was damp, I must have been sweating in my sleep. I glanced over at Judy, who had slowly stood herself up and crossed her arms over her chest. She was still wearing her pajamas. Still early, I thought to myself.
“Jesus, V. You scared the shit out of me. You were screaming.” Judy shook her head and looked down at her feet.
I flipped myself around so that I was now sitting on the edge of the bed. I reached out for Judy’s torso and pulled her into a tight hug.
“I’m sorry, I hope I didn’t wake you.” I muttered into her skin.
Judy wrapped her arms around my neck, one hand reaching up behind my head to gently play with my hair. The action was soothing. I closed my eyes and hummed with bliss, turning my head so that my cheek was pressed against her abdomen.
“Bebé, I’ve been up for a bit. Panam wants to talk to you. Told ‘er I’d come get ya but I’m thinkin’ I’ll grab her instead. I don’t want you gettin’ up just yet.” Judy murmured.
I pulled myself away slightly and turned my head up to look at her face. I furrowed my brows and shook my head.
“Jude, I’m good, seriously. Just a nightmare.” I said assuringly.
Judy patted my hair softly and nodded, a small sigh escaping her lips before she removed herself from our embrace and stepped away. I smiled at her and slowly got up from bed. I yawned and stretched my arms up over my head, enjoying the satisfying crack of my shoulder bones.
“Pan’s over by the Panzer.” Judy said through a soft chuckle, amused by my dramatic morning stretch.
I nodded and flashed her a grin. I quickly changed into some clothes, brushed my teeth, and splashed some bottled water over my face. Typical nomad shower.
Judy accompanied me out of our temporary home, holding my hand in hers. I leaned down and gave her a small kiss before separating and heading over to the tent hosting the Panzer. I walked past a picnic table with some trays of food and a couple cans of coffee.
“Hm, don’t mind if I do.” I muttered to myself as I reached for one of the beverages.
“V! There you are.” Panama’s voice sang as she raced over in my direction.
“How goes it?” I replied, taking a swig of coffee.
“It goes.” Panam mused, leaning herself against the table.
I smirked and took another swig, quickly finishing off the can before tossing it in the nearby trash bin.
“So I hear you’ve been looking for me.” I stated, before letting a burp escape me.
“V, you’re disgusting.” Panam groaned, rolling her eyes before bursting into laughter.
I chuckled and took a seat at the table, rummaging through the assorted protein bar selection.
“Anyway, yes, I wanted to fill you in on some things. Now a good time?” She asked, carefully observing my scavenging.
“‘Bout good a time as any.” I replied, taking a bite of food.
“Good. So, we plan on driving a couple hours later this morning, possibly stopping near LA. I know that’s old Bakker territory so I wanted to hear your input… Y’know, if that’s safe for starters.”
I chewed my food and motioned around with my hand, so as to display, “sounds good, keep talking”
Panam understood and continued, “After that, we should be good to proceed over to Tucson. I know a guy who knows a guy who might be able to help.”
“Help how?” I asked between chews.
“Well, he’s your stereotypical ripper, but trained professionally as a surgeon. Neurosurgeon, to be precise. Sounds promising, right?” Panam mused.
My eyebrows shot up in shock. Damn, she actually meant it when she said she had contacts. Seems too good to be true, I thought.
“Alright, Pan, what’s the catch?” I inquired, my eyes narrowed in suspicion as I made eye contact with her.
“That’s the thing, V… As far as I can tell, there isn’t one. I just gotta tie some loose ends, make sure my guy is still in contact with his guy, stuff like that.” She replied.
I nodded slowly, still in disbelief. I met her gaze again and smirked.
“Hit the road, Jack.”
***
Some five hours later, the caravan of Aldecaldos steered off the main highway towards a raggedy looking neighborhood. Things were starting to look familiar to me, I knew we were approaching LA. Every car that passed, I checked to see if I could recognize any Bakker symbols.
So far, so good, I thought to myself.
The caravan began pulling up to a dingy looking motel nestled between some residential apartment buildings. “Hollywood Inn”, I laughed to myself thinking about how perhaps this was once a popular stay for celebrity-hungry tourists. Judy pulled the car into a parking spot and smiled at me as she turned the vehicle off.
“Y’think any famous people have stayed here?” She joked.
I chuckled and shook my head, “I don’t think anyone has stayed here in over 50 years.”
Judy continued giggling and exited the vehicle. I quickly followed suit and started to gather some of our things into a small night bag. Judy wandered up from behind me and wrapped her arms around my waist, giving me a small squeeze before playfully slapping my butt. I shot her a fake glare from over my shoulder, causing her to erupt into giggles once again.
“Seems like someone’s thirsty.” I teased.
Judy scoffed, fakely displaying being deeply offended. I giggled and shot her a cheeky wink.
Panam briefly greeted us and explained the plan for the morning. We said our good nights and made our way to our respectful rooms for the evening. Judy began unlocking the motel room door and I took my chance to get back at her, quickly squeezing her butt and then turning myself around and humming, pretending that it couldn’t have possibly been me who had just committed that crime.
“Not foolin’ anyone, V.” Judy chuckled, playfully nudging my shoulder before opening the motel room door.
I raced in after her, throwing our bags on the ground and wrapping my arms around her waist from behind.
“Mmm,” Judy mused, holding my arms and pressing herself into me.
I hungrily nipped at her earlobe and then began kissing her neck. Ever since our conversation before we left Night City, I’ve been wanting to show Judy just how much I care for her. We hadn’t had much sex after our night in Laguna Bend, and now that I was free from my Silverhanditis, I was ready to deepen that part of our relationship.
Judy laughed breathily, before turning her head, leaning into my kisses. She closed her eyes and hummed in approval, slowly stroking her fingers up and down my arms.
“V…” She sighed, rolling her head back some more so that it was resting on my shoulder.
My lips grazed down her neck and I reached my hands down her waist and over her thighs. Judy sighed in pleasure, resting more of her body weight against me. I brought one of my hands up, grazing my fingers over her abdomen. Judy then spun around and faced me, eyelids drooped, jaw slacked. She leaned in and kissed me, I could taste her eagerness. I returned the kiss and pulled her body tight against me, resting my hands on the small of her back. We kissed feverishly while slowly moving our bodies toward the bed. As Judy’s calves hit the edge of the bed she flopped down on her back, looking up at me hungrily. I crawled on top of her, resting my weight on my hands as I brought our lips back together for a passionate kiss.
God, this feels like fuckin’ heaven.