Author's Note: This fan fiction was inspired by Sintendo's The Lighter Side. It takes place between the fourth and fifth volumes of the Gunslinger Girl manga. Due to the fact that I know next to nothing about Beatrice and her handler Bernardo; they will receive a few mentions, but little to no exposure.
Disclaimer: I do not own the rights; property, intellectual, financial, distribution, etc., to Gunslinger Girl. All rights therein are the possession of Yu Aida, Media Works Inc., and Funimation Entertainment. The above mentioned intellectual property is being used without permission.
I
A looming apartment building stood in the middle of a barren street. Much like the other buildings within the slums of Rome, this building was old and in severe disrepair. Across from this building, Rico and Jean took their positions.
"Rico-Jean team, checking in," Jean said into his mini-com. "All teams report when you arrive at your positions."
After a few minutes they responded one after the other.
"Triela-Hillshire team; in position."
"Henrietta-José team; in position."
"Angelica-Marco team; in position."
"Beatrice-Bernardo team; in position."
"All teams wait for my signal," Jean ordered.
"Roger," the handlers responded in unison.
"Rico, target the first perp you see," Jean told his ward.
"Yes, Jean," Rico answered in monotone.
A short time passed as Rico scanned the windows looking for something to shoot. Something that would start this mission as planned. Jean watched the building through his monocular, looking for any sign of a tactical response. Passing by a window, something caught his eye. Jean jerked his hand just in time to see a ball rolling across the floor. Not a moment after a child ran after the ball.
"JEAN!" Marco nearly screamed into his com.
"Marco, that outburst will go down in my report," Jean responded into his own.
"Hold your fire, we have civilians. I repeat; civilians have been spotted between us and the targets."
Jean waited a moment before answering, "They could be there as decoys or sleepers. Hollow the building out, no survivors. Do all teams copy?"
"Copy," they said one after the other with the exception of Marco.
"Damn it," Marco finally said quietly.
Covering his mouthpiece, José leaned down toward Henrietta.
"'Etta, put away your P90. Sidearm only, women and children are to be fired upon only when fired upon; understand?"
"Yes; José," Henrietta answered setting her P90 on the floor. Taking out her P239, she flicked the safety, and held it ready.
On another floor, Hillshire did the same.
"Do you have shot in that gun?" Hillshire whispered to Triela.
"Loading slugs now; Hillshire," Triela answered cocking the old Winchester seven times in succession.
'That's my girl,' Hillshire thought watching her take the rounds out of the belt across her chest and load them.
Within the building, a couple share a moment; unknowing that it'll be their last.
A large, brown haired man holding an AK-74 without a stock walked over to a woman nursing a baby. Propping his gun against the wall, he sat down beside her.
"How is little Celia, my dearest," he said; his eyes intent on the bundle in her arms.
"She's asleep now Ignazio," she replied. "She has a healthy appetite, just like her father."
"That just means she's going to be big and strong like me."
The gaze she gave him only affirmed her disapproval at the remark. Quickly he added, "But she will be as beautiful as my Capricia."
Smiling softly, she returned her attention to the child in her arms.
"I know that will be true, but sometimes I hope it to not be so," Capricia said quietly.
"Why would you say such a thing?!" Ignazio boomed.
The baby whined soliciting a just response from Capricia, "Quiet, you'll wake her."
Cooing the baby back to sleep, Capricia gave Ignazio hard glances between breaths. Ignazio, knowing the full extent of Capricia's temper, stilled all noise.
"Humph," Capricia shrugged. "I hope she isn't as lively as you are."
"Sorry, dearest."
"Weel, I only say such things because you are probably right. She will be tall and strong like you; but if she takes my looks, God willing, she'll be even more beautiful than I. I will have a hard time keeping these vagrants away from her."
"Don't you mean 'We will have a hard time'?" Ignazio said brushing a red strand of hair from Capricia's face.
Capricia smiled at Ignazio's interest in the possibility of them together. When Ignazio rested his head against her shoulder, Capricia closed her eyes to daydream of a future; a quiet one where the smell of gunpowder was replaced by that of fresh flour and the sights of the various hideouts replaced by a constant one. A solitary house in the countryside, where Celia would play with and often tease a younger sibling; a boy or girl, it didn't matter. Capricia dreamed of a promising future, where they could finally be, a real family. A call from the door interrupted her little daydream.
"Ignazio," said the voice's owner.
"Hey Franco, how's Franca?" Capricia said.
"Still…still in a coma; come Ignazio we have to go."
"Why so soon, Franco?" Ignazio asked.
"I have reason to believe that SISDE has discovered our location. We have to move Christiano, now."
"Already?" Capricia muttered.
"I understand. Will you be alright my love?"
"Yes, of course," Capricia answered. "I still have that gun you gave me," she said. Moving a blanket, she revealed a MP5K.
"Good, remember to keep the safety off," Ignazio said.
"I remember, now go and take care of Christiano. We owe him more than our own lives."
Looking back at her baby, she scooted back to the wall and rested.
Exiting the room, Franco tapped Ignazio on the shoulder.
"Ignazio, what does she mean?"
"Christiano helped us a while back. Well, her mostly. One day, he came upon us as guards to a Five Republics meeting. Capricia was already getting big and well, you know how money is around here. He spoke to us privately and gave us the contents of his wallet and wrote down the number of a private doctor he knew personally. Since then, he gave us money until he was found and always dotes over her when he see's her. You could say he's her unofficial godfather. Without him, I'm not sure if Celia would've been born as healthy as she was."
"I see."
"I have a target Jean," Rico spoke training her rifle on a Uzi-bearing guard poking his head out of a window.
"Fire, when ready," Jean said to Rico. "All teams, at my mark."