Days later they arrived in Vladivostok, Russia. The men got handed over to the Russian authorities, the Soviet Union along with the diamonds. The Soviets were happy, they got their diamonds back and the men went to jail. It was on the front page of every newspaper, along with the picture all over Russia. It gave the Russian people something else to talk about.

None of the passengers knew what went on that night. So they were in for an utter shock the next morning when the captain told everyone what happened. They called Risa, Vincent, and Rolando heroes. Risa and Rolando just knew what was the right thing to be done and dismissed what they called them, though Vincent on the other hand was milking it for all it was worth.

He had many young women compliment him and chat with him. He couldn't deny he was loving it. He of course was just basking in the attention and yes he did get a few glares from jealous men. There was always bound to be someone jealous so he just dismissed it and went along with his normal business.

They got off the boat and walked to the train station of the Trans-Siberian Railway, and stood in line for about fifteen minutes. They showed their tickets to the ticket teller, then he stamped them not even paying attention to the place where they were going. He seemed worse than the guy in Canada, at least he did his job, this guy didn't even want to do it.

After their tickets were stamped, they walked onto the train and took a seat in the front booth about six cars back, since barely any people would be that far back. They rode for hours upon hours, stopping at different train stations, letting people off and on. It

Risa sat by the window, looking out, she held Loyal so he could look outside. They both had never been on a train before and this whole thing was exciting for them. Loyal barked at every person who walked by to board the train to exit the train. All she saw was more people to give her belly rubs.

It was nice having peace for the many hours they were first on the train. Risa just listened to the clicking of the wheels on the steel rails of the track, focusing on that instead of the thoughts that were buzzing in her head. Rolando had fallen asleep since trains had always made him sleepy. Vincent was flipping through a journal he had, scribbling things down.

A half an hour later Rolando woke up and looked between both Risa and Vincent. There was an undeniable awkward silence between Vincent and Risa, that seemed to have been going on for this whole ride so far. He couldn't take it anymore, he was not going to ride the whole train like this.

Rolando ran a hand through his hair and sighed. "What is it with you two? Why is there more awkward tension between you guys again than in the ship?" He asked curiously, shifting in his seat and putting his feet up in the booth across from him.

Vincent put his hands up, denying anything he said. "There's no tension between us. I'm just thinking about something, having nothing to do with Risa." He replied, knowing full well he was thinking about what Risa. He hoped Rolando would believe him but the odds weren't in his favor.

Risa rolled her eyes putting her feet up in the seat. Stretching her arms over her head and her legs in front of her, she said. "I don't see any tension between us. I have been too busy looking out the window and smiling every time Loyal barked at someone at each train station." She waved him off, then she realized that half true.

She then sighed and added something she had to get off her chest. "Maybe something is bothering me, well not bother me per se, just something is making me feel uneasy. I want to thank you Vincent for saving my life. That was very kind of you, but did you have to give me mouth to mouth?" She softly told him, not knowing why she felt so embarrassed by it.

Vincent gave her a cheeky smile before smoothly saying. "It is never a problem my lady. It's my job to keep you safe until we get to Paris. It was the best way to bring you back, don't take it to heart. I would have done it to anyone." He reassured her, biting his tongue from teasing her about it.

On the other hand, his mind was playing tug-of-war with the thought of should he reward money and gives this girl false hope of a family which would lead to potentially hurting everyone? What was he supposed to do? He had never been so confused in his life. He shrugged off that feeling, handing her a book to keep her occupied during the ride.

Risa took the book and looked at the cover then at Vincent. "What's this for?" She asked flipping through the book, not focusing on it just skimming. She wasn't much of a fan of the books unless they were interesting. The type of book he handed her seemed boring and she did not want to read it.

Vincent sighed, could she not read the title? He knew she could read. "This is about France, especially Paris. There is some basic information about France and how to speak French, or at least how to get by in France." He explained very carefully to her, going slow so she could catch it.

Risa looked at him with the 'really' look displayed on her face. "Thanks, thoughts don't most of them speak English? And remember, I am Canadian, I speak Canadian French, how far off can that be from French? I speak more than one language, Vincent. Just because I'm an orphan doesn't mean I am dumb." She explained right back to him.

Vincent sighed heavily slouching in his seat. Why, why did he have to be the one to do this. He didn't have any patience to deal with her at this moment. "It is complicated for me to explain. It is a yes and no question. Just read up on it and it shouldn't be that hard. Besides, it has other information too." He pointed to the book before withdrawing his hand.

Risa shrugged her shoulders. She wasn't wanting to give in and read it but it would keep her busy and pass the time. "I suppose it would keep me busy to read it, not that I will need it or anything since I am just visiting." She pointed out making it clear she was just going to find her family and nothing else. He seemed to have an alternative motive.

Vincent sat up and looked out the window before he spoke again. "Yes, it will pass the time and also be educational. It's got all kinds of facts with pictures too, which I am sure you will like." He explained, hoping she would just be quiet and read the book. He was already annoyed with her and she hadn't done a single thing.

Risa raised an eyebrow at what he had said to her. Did he just tell her there were pictures? As if she cared about the pictures. "Oh, so the pictures are to explain it because I'm too dumb to figure it out? Is that what you are implying? I will like the pictures?" She may have been reading too much into what he said, you couldn't blame her though. Vincent was a mystery to everyone.

Vincent whipped his head over to her and frowned. "No that's not what I'm saying. I thought you'd like it because it has beautiful pictures of landmarks photographers had taken." He explained taking his cap out of his pocket. Just as it was taken out a gold heart locket got caught in the hat and it fell right on the ground.

Seeing what had happened he went to grab it but Risa snatched it up. "Hey, that's not yours, so can you give it back!" He demanded, holding out his hand wanting it back. She may have shown how trustworthy she was, but he certainly was not going to let anyone touch these things.

Risa stuck her tongue out at him before sitting back and looking at it. "Can't I look at it?" She asked in a sarcastically sweet tone as she brought it closer to her eyes. There was something oddly familiar about this locket, it was like she had seen it somewhere. "Wait?" She paused trailing off, flipping it around and running her fingers over it.

Vincent furrowed his eyebrows at what she was saying and doing. "What? Whatever, can I have it back now?" He asked, extending his hand to take it back from her. She was talking nonsense once again about how she remembered something. Yeah, sure. He didn't believe her.

Risa pushed his hand away and narrowed her eyes at him. "No, I just started to look at it. I recognize this locket. I don't know where though. Where did you find this?" She asked, looking at it in the sunlight. It had a heart on it with a dove right in the middle and right above it had a decorative ivy pattern forming a circle around it. "It is most beautiful." She marveled.

Vincent heavily sighed, there was no getting it back without saying something to her. "First off, it is none of your business where I found it. Secondly, if you must know, I found it lying on the ground when I was a kid and I took it with me." He snapped at getting very agitated. He just wanted it back so he could put it back into his pocket.

Risa handed it back to Vincent, with a frown on her lips. Why was he so rude to her when all she had asked was a polite question. "It may be none of my business, though you could be a tad bit nicer to me. I was curious about it. I have seen it before. No need to get all snappy and rude to me." She commented opening up the book she had been given.

Vincent took it back and unbuttoned his pocket on his vest, dropping it in there then he buttoned it back up. "Alright, I understand. I shouldn't have and I apologize. Next time don't swipe something that dropped from my pockets." He told her looking out of the window. He was quite possessive over his little trinkets, she should know how it was being an orphan after all.

He couldn't believe she had seen the necklace before unless she was either a palace staff or was Clarissa. He found it lying on the ground and it belonged to Persia, he knew that. He didn't know where they had gone during the chaos and he thought it could be worth some money, so he took it. He did remember Perisa having it hung around her neck no matter what she was wearing. How she always touched it when she was nervous or scared, or growing rather bored with her queenly duties. He remembered seeing it for the last time at the Winter Gala at the Palatine Palace.

He chewed the inside of his lip, knowing, this locket belonged to the late queen. He was torn at times whether he should give it back or keep it, he always had gotten sidetracked so he didn't dwell on it that much. He knew if he did he would feel awful, and he did not want to feel awful. He closed his eyes and leaned his head against the window, trying to empty his mind and take a nap. At least a nap could help him get his mind off all that was going on. Not to mention he was pretty tired.

Risa had read the book for about two hours before she had started to get sleepy. She set the book down and laid down on the bench, stretching out and laying her coat over her that she had taken off. She also decided to get some extra sleep, what could it hurt? She soon had drifted off.

Rolando turned over to Vincent and nudged his shoulder with his hand. "Vincent?" He asked, hoping to have a chat with the boy while Risa was sleeping. He knew Vincent was sleepy, but he was a big boy, he could wait for a while longer. He knew what he was going to speak with him about would need to be between them. He may not get another chance.

Vincent turned to Rolando sitting straight up in his seat. He wasn't too happy Rolando decided to talk to him when he wanted to sleep. "What?" He asked yawning unexpectedly, so he covered his mouth with his hand as he yawned. He was fixing to go to sleep, then he just had to prohibit him from actually sleeping this one afternoon.

Rolando closed his notebook and put it back in his back. "I know this might sound crazy: I do think you like Risa which is why you are being this way towards her. I have seen this before when you liked a girl." Vincent had a pattern when he was in love and this was it because he was too stubborn to admit feelings.

Vincent looked over at him and shook his head. How on earth could he think such a thing? He certainly did not like Risa. He found her annoying. Yes at times he did have to admit she was pretty, in a planned way that is. But he could never like such a girl like her. She was not his type and yes there was one girl he had loved before, but that was different. She had an overbearing father that annoyed him. He wasn't that way towards the girl like he was with Risa.

He shook his head furiously. "What? Are you mad! You have not seen me like this before. Because I haven't liked any girls growing up, and certainly do not know." He didn't want to let Rolando know he had one true crush. So, he played the only girls he knew helped serve his proposal and they were nothing more than an associate to get what he wanted. "? don't grow attached to girls, I only like them when they have something I need."

Rolando frowned, shushing him and putting his finger over his lips. He did not want to wake up Risa, and she had just stirred in her sleep. "Keep it down, you'll wake Risa up. Don't give me that, you out of all people have had at least a few girls you fancied." He pointed out, he could list off a few girls if needed to be.

Vincent rolled his eyes and gave a little huff under his breath. "Oh, and who would that be?" He wanted to know what girls he was talking about. He hadn't recalled any girls he fancied because he wasn't looking for a relationship at all.

Rolando sighed listing off a few girls that everyone could tell like him and vice versa. He had seen how he was around them. "Carmen, Josephine, Miranda." He told him, counting each name on his fingers before setting his hand down on his knee. They were very beautiful and kind girls, too bad it didn't work out with any of them.

Vincent groaned and ran a hand through his hair. None of those girls he liked. They were not his type. He had never met Delilah, the girl he truly liked, she matched him perfectly, but then she moved. She didn't clash with him but complimented him. Of course, she wasn't a great influence on him, but that didn't matter. He wasn't looking for a good influence, just someone to be his partner in crime.

He sighed gently lowering his voice. "Those were just pawns he used for his benefit. "Not this again, Rolando. They were merely pawns in my games I played. I didn't fancy them, they were happy and annoying for me. They were real girly girls and I just couldn't take their bright-eyed personality." He cringed at the thought.

He then added after pausing for a moment. "I don't like Risa, she's just a girl you are helping out. You want her to find her real family, I am just along for the ride and hopes to come into some money." All he wanted was money and he did have a little plan that would help him out as long as Rolando didn't notice it.

Rolando sighed heavily at what the young man said. "Vincent, money can't buy happiness, I have taught you that since you are younger. Yet you still think getting this money will make you happy, it won't." He was disappointed he had to bring this up again.  He hoped him constantly reminding him would engrave it into his mind and be the voice of reason. That was something Vincent seemed to have never had.

When Vincent didn't answer him, he stood up. He wasn't going to push him to answer. That would defeat the purpose. He thought it would be best to let Vincent think about it for a while, sort of marinate on it. "I will go to the dining cart, ask Risa if she wants anything when she wakes up, and please don't wake her." He told Vincent as he walked out of the booth and down to the dining cart.

Vincent groaned and stood up. Why would he wait for her to wake up? If she wanted something he could wake her up and ask her. If she didn't want anything he could go back to sleep. He leaned over and gently placed a hand on her arm and shook her. "Risa? Risa wakes up? Do you want anything for lunch?"  He didn't know what to do. He had never woken up before, he liked it better when someone stayed asleep.

Risa turned over, but in the process, she kicked him in the leg. It wasn't until he yelped that she opened her eyes. "Oh my, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to. I sometimes get that way -" She then realized it was Vincent and sighed. "Oh, it's only you. Don't wake me up. When I wake up I will wake. So please, don't bother me again." She told him to lay back down.

Vincent bit his tongue as he sat down holding his leg. He rubbed the spot she had kicked. She had some serious strength in her kicks. Goodness. "Ow! My leg! Oh, how it hurts!" He may have been being a little dramatic now since the pain was beginning to fade away. "I was just wondering if you were hungry and wanted to go to the dining cart to eat some lunch."

Risa rolled her eyes, he was being so dramatic. She barely even kicked him, it wasn't that hard. He was such a drama king. She sighed gently, knowing he wasn't suggesting it of his own free will. "Are you asking me because Rolando asked you to ask me?" She could tell he didn't want to even talk to her, let alone touch her. He was odd in that way, she would never understand that boy.

Vincent sighed setting his foot back down on the floor of the cart. So what if he asked him to ask her. What difference did it make? "Rolando asked me to ask you if you wanted anything to eat for lunch. Who cares if he asked me to ask you? You need to eat." He deadpanned running a hand through his hair. Was it that obvious that he didn't want to converse with him?

Risa sighed, laying back down and pulling her coat over her body, curling back up in a ball, and closed her eyes. "Tell him I'm not hungry right now. Also, why does it matter when I eat? If I'm not hungry I'm not gonna eat. I can't make myself eat." She asked, nuzzling her head into the pillow she made with her scarf. He was acting like it was a life or death situation if she didn't eat right then and there.

Vincent decided to get all cocky like he normally was. He was going to teach her a thing or two about how life worked. "Six o'clock is breakfast, noon is lunch and six or seven is supper. That is why he wanted me to ask you, for the typical set dining times." It was like she had no clue what normal people - wait, she was an orphan, things must have gone differently in the orphanage.

Risa groaned, burying her head under the scarf pillow. "I'm not hungry. If I say I'm not hungry, then I'm not hungry no matter what time it is. If you think talking to you makes me end up making me hungry you are mistaken. Talking to you would make someone not want to eat." She sarcastically said back, keeping her eyes closed.

Vincent narrowed his eyes at her attempt to insult him. That was a child's insult, that hardly affected him. She needed a few lessons on how to insult someone, but he wouldn't give her the pleasure of that. He certainly did not want it to backfire on him. "Thanks for that insult. It felt so good to be insulted by a girl." He sarcastically scoffed, it was so pitiful.

Once Vincent didn't get an answerback, he groaned. "I will be leaving now. Sleep well." He didn't mean it but it was the polite thing to do. He stood up and went to the dining car. Sitting across from Rolando with a very somber expression on his face, he sighed heavily picking up the menu and scanning it.

Rolando looked up at the boy then behind him to see if Risa was coming. He didn't see her so she must've not wanted lunch, which was alright. "Well, did she want lunch? Why are you looking like someone took your pet away?" He asked curiously. Not knowing what went on during that small amount of time.

Vincent shrugged his shoulders, rustling a package of soup crackers that had been laid on the table. "No, she wasn't hungry. There is no reason and I am not that. All I will say is she insulted me and kicked me when I tried to wake her up. Mind you I was just the messenger. I don't know how much longer I can take being with her." He complained slouching in his chair and crossing his arms like a mere child.

Rolando groaned, setting down the glass that he had just drank his water out of. They were like oil and water, they did not go well together and often clashed. He wondered if they would ever get along for the sake of his sanity. "Can you please get along with her? Is that too much to ask Vincent?" The two were like opposite magnets, never going together just hovering and keeping apart.

Vincent rolled his eyes and sighed, not wanting to get along with her. He didn't like her and yeah she may be the one to get him the reward money, but he didn't think she would be this much trouble. "Rolando, it is nice you are wanting me to keep along with her, it is merely impossible to do such a thing with that girl." He explained wanting nothing more than to be alone without having to have Risa with them.

Rolando gave him a look, one that was not impressed with what he had said, he didn't like the answer. "For the sake of humanity and my sanity: don't give her kindling for a fire and it won't ignite. Then don't play with open flames and complain you got burned. It is your fault and you should know better." Vincent brought it upon himself every time he went right back at her.

Vincent was not a fan of Rolando's metaphors, they had always annoyed him. Yes, he sounded wise and all that jazz, but he truly could care less. "Out of all your metaphors, you had to do the one with fire, again? I am not making things worse! I didn't sign up for all this to happen while we take her to Paris, it isn't my fault she has no manners." He uncrossed his arms and placed his hands on his thighs.

Rolando pulled the napkin out from his collar and set it beside his almost full plate."Vincent, none of us signed up for this, though she did agree to help her find her family. I'm much older than you and this is the kind of excitement I'm looking for. I want to have all this excitement in my life, our normal life is boring." He explained.

He then continued after taking a sip of his drink. "Now, can I finish my food in peace? It is getting cold and I do not want to eat cold food." He told the young man, who without a word, left the dining cart mumbling something under his breath. That boy would be the death of him.

Back in the booth, Risa had woken up both too long after Vincent had left, she had gotten pretty bored with the book about Paris. She didn't like books that much unless they had an interesting plot. This was most of what she already knew, she wasn't a dummy, she had booked back at the orphanage.

She smiled as Loyal jumped into her lap, laying her head on her knee. "Oh Loyal, so far this has been very interesting. I don't understand why I get so aggressive when I'm around Vincent. I'm not like that, I wasn't like that when I was at the orphanage. He just rubs me the wrong way, and I can't control myself to stop feeding into his - his antagonistic  personality." She told the dog.

Loyal could sense that Risa was confused about how she felt about Vincent. She could just sense the feeling of confusion, including the expression painted on her face. "Oh, Risa, I know he is that way. You can just do your best not to nag it on, be the bigger person I know you are." She barked happily.

Vincent walked into the booth and looked over at the wide-awake orphan and her mutt, along with the half-open book about France on the Paris page. "I see you're reading the book." He smoothly said, sitting down and leaning his head back on the headrest. He couldn't help but smirk a little, although he truthfully had no reason to smirk.

Risa raised an eyebrow, frowning at what Vincent had said. She rolled her eyes and huffed. "What business is it of yours if I am reading it or not reading it?" She snapped back at him, then she sighed. She shouldn't be snapping at him, he was merely asking a question and she should have just given a simple answer.

Vincent shrugged his shoulders. She was snapping at him, and she was agitated but he couldn't help but be amused. "I was just asking a question and I have been thinking: I think we got off on the wrong foot." He began, knowing Rolando would be happy and he would finally get off his back about it.

Risa raised her eyebrows. Was Vincent trying to make up for all the times he had been a jerk to her? Why did he always have to make these jabs at her? "You think?" She asked rhetorically, knowing very well Rolando may have suggested or hinted for him to do this. He only ever did something touching if he was made to do it.

Vincent nodded his head, he did think they did. Yes, he knew it was his fault and he shouldn't blame it on her, it was just easier for him to blame it on someone else than own up to it. "Yes, I do think." He confirmed running a hand through his hair. He was being Mr. Smarty Pants, he was enjoying this and trying to milk it for everything it is worth.

Risa pursed her lips setting Loyal down on the ground. "Alright, I accept your apology." He didn't apologize but she knew it was either leading to one or this was his way of apologizing. He seemed to beat around the bush all the time. It seemed annoying to her that he couldn't outrightly say anything.

Vincent gave her a confused look. He hadn't apologized at all. He wasn't even going to apologize for anything he had done. "What apology? You never let me get out what I was going to say. You just jumped to a conclusion that I was apologizing." Which was true he was not going to.

Risa sighed, okay, yes she did jump to a conclusion but all she wanted was for him to leave her alone. It was silly for her to think she could get a few hours of alone time. "Fine, carry on." She let out an exasperated huff of air, blowing her bangs out of her eyes.

Vincent then continued what he was trying to say. "I was going to say: I'm not going to be antagonistic. I am going to be the bigger person. It is a choice I have made for myself, and with how you are I think if we can be civil the rest of the way it will help Rolando out." He said with the must utter of pride.

Risa could not believe what she was hearing. He was trying to be the bigger person. He was not to give in to her antagonistic nature?     "What! ME, antagonizing YOU? What world do you live in? You start it every time Vincent. I have never not once stated it, if I had, it was because of what you said to me!" Now she was offended by his words.

Vincent let out a short laugh, she was so silly. Did she think he was going to own up to everything? He truly believed he didn't start it. "Oh, silly little girl. It is so sad you think that way. I tried to be the bigger person and here you are trying to make it about yourself." He frowned mockingly.

Risa laced her fingers in her hair and gripped it groaning. "Oh my goodness, you can not be serious? You have made this whole trip insufferable! I'm not your property at any time. I could leave you two behind and go about on my own. I only stay because of Rolando." She had to make it clear it was only about the older man.

Vincent was amused the only reason she was staying was because of his guardian. "That is so cute, I am sure Rolando would be touched. Even if you did leave, without our help you couldn't find your family. You need us." He pointed out in a cocky manner.

Risa sighed, slouching in her seat. "Yes, you said that a million times. I have been really curious about you Vincent. Why haven't you talked about your family that often?" Yes, Rolando had told her a few things but she wanted to hear it from him.

Vincent narrowed his eyes at her, there was no way he was going to tell her his life's story. "I think I will pass on that. Save it for a rainy day. For the rest of the train ride, I want to be left alone in peace." With that, he put on the earmuffs he had found that Rolando had packed.

Risa rolled her eyes and looked out the window, this was going to be one long train ride. She had no clue if she could bear being with him in this booth, she wished something would happen so they wouldn't be sitting in awkward silence.

❅~❅~❅~❅~❅~❅~❅~❅~❅~❅~❅

A/N:
Sorry this is late. I have been really busy and have been going through some things so it is hard for me to find time to write. Don't worry, I am working as hard as I can on my books, so I hope to get this one or one other completed by the end of the year. It would be a big accomplishment for me.

Chapter talk:
Risa and Vincent's dynamic is really run to right. They are like siblings, which is why I kinda modeled it after my sister and I when we bicker sometimes. They are both opposites and often clash, which most people do. Which is why I am trying to keep it as real as I can.

And lastly, anything else I forgot to ask away my pals. I am happy to answer anything!

In closing, all rude, impolite and mean comments will be replied to in a diplomatic way, reported or deleted if I feel like it is attacking me personally.

Thanks for reading!