Well looks like chapter two is ready for reading. Took a little while, yes, but at least it's shorter. I'm pretty sure that the rest of the story will be long depending on how my schedule in college and work is like. Let's hope I don't get too wound up on all of this. Now on to the results of the last chapter. I'm kind of sad to say that this wasn't much of a good hit like first episode of my own version of season three of Transformers Prime. I got one review and only 77 hits. Kind of disappointed about it, since I'm going to use this story as a stepping off point for another episode I would be doing for my third season in the near future. At least on the plus side is that I delivered the message for the viewers that are reading my other story. Perhaps in the near future, people will start reading it as much as the other one I'm still doing. Let's continue with chapter two of TFP, John and Elsa. John Darby and Elsa de Sica head to Tuscany for an assignment. But John thought back of his dark past and the loss of his brother.

Chapter Notes

Like I said before on the last chapter, the first few chapters will take place during the Gunslinger Girl episode 'Lycoris Radiata Herb (Cluster Amaryllis)', so there will be scenes in that episode that would incorporate with my story and Jack's father. Just to give you the quick heads up on that part. If you want to see the episode for yourself, watch it instantly on Netflix if you like.

Disclaimer: I don't own Transformers Prime or Gunslinger Girl

Chapter Two: Elsa de Sica

Flashback…

Seven Years ago…

A few days after the bomb blast in the shopping district in Baghdad, John was at the hospital wing in Nevada, not far from Jasper. He was lying there on his bed with a cast on his right leg where his wounded knee is located. It was a little hard on him for the past few days because ever since that explosion, his life changed forever. A rescue team found him pinned in what was use to be the Internet café and got him out of the rubble. By the time he headed back to the base for the operation, the damage was more severe then he thought. The shrapnel in his leg was deep, near to the bone. They had to cut through the skin and muscle just to remove it and the end result were multiple scars on his knee. The procedure was painful and he always feels that pain whenever he tries to move. It would take him some time to walk again with the help of a brace, but he would recover physically. But his mentality will never recover.

Days after the incident and medical transport to the U.S. base in Nevada, his thoughts were of his twin brother, Kevin. The last time he saw him was when he left him outside the café. Since that day, he hasn't seen him nor heard from him yet. He talked to the nurses about his brother, but they didn't say a single word to him. It's like they didn't want him to know what happened to Kevin. As he was waiting, General Bryce came in with two more soldiers waiting at the door. He doesn't have a clue why they were there, that was until the general gave him the bad news.

The general started by congratulating him on surviving the bomb blast, that he was a lucky guy. He then stated that once they put a brace on him and he recovers, he would be back to work sometime within the few months. But with good news would be bad news as he told him about Kevin. As far from what he heard, Bryce said that there was a car bombing in that shopping district the brothers were patrolling. What was worse was that the car bomb was awfully close to Kevin by two feet. He was killed instantly in the blast and the only remains were his tattered uniform and skeletal structure. He has his men working on the parts of the bomb that was used to create that huge explosion, but it would take some time to get the results.

When John heard of this news, he was completely devastated. His brother, his own flesh and blood, killed in action by insurgents from a car bomb that was close to him. It sickened him to his very stomach. He didn't see this coming, nor his brother. How is he going to move on in life without him? More importantly, what is he going to say to his son, Jack? He would be devastated from hearing the news. As he was contemplating on his thoughts, there was a knock on the door and a military nurse came in to check up on him.

Nurse: "Mr. Darby? Your wife and son are outside waiting for you. Should I let them in?"

John looked at the nurse and didn't expect his family to come in this soon to go check on him. He still doesn't know what to say to Jack when he comes in. So sighing to himself, he rested on his pillow and responded to the request.

John Darby: "Sure… Send them in."

The nurse nodded as she closed the door. A few seconds later, the door opened and both his wife June and his son Jack entered the recovery room. The two saw John and was shocked by the cast that was holding his right leg. June especially since she saw the blast on the web cam a few days ago and had to turn her son's head away from the vid feed, telling him that everything is going to be okay.

June: "John?"

The husband looked at his wife and smiled weakly.

John Darby: "Hey June. Not what you've been expecting from a welcome home celebration huh?"

June sighed to herself and knew that this would happen.

June: "You could say that. But at least I'm glad that you're still alive. Here, something to keep the room vibrant."

She was holding a vase filled with her favorite flowers, the Bermuda Buttercup and the Calla Lily, and placed it on the nightstand next to him. John looked at the vase of flowers and couldn't help but to chuckle.

John Darby: "Gosh June, you always liven the place up with your flowers."

June just smiled and returned that compliment.

June: "You know me John, I always use flowers to help ease my patients. Jack, come to your father's bed and say hi to him."

Jack slowly got up on the bed and started to talk to his father.

Young Jack: "Hi dad. How's your leg?"

John looked down at his son and explained what happened.

John Darby: "Oh it's healing Jack. Been through worse anyways. But don't worry; in a few months, I will be in tip top shape and we can hang out like we always do."

Jack smiled and was glad that his father was all right, but there is still something nagging him for the past few days. So he asked him the one thing that worries him the most.

Young Jack: "Daddy, where Uncle Kevy?"

John looked down at his son and was a little concern as how he's going to say it. He looked at June and she too wondered about Kevin as well. Since he had no choice, he had to start saying as innocent as he could.

John Darby: "Jack, its time we have a serious talk. You see, Uncle Kevy is not going to come back."

Jack blinked a couple of times and wonder what he meant about that.

Young Jack: "I don't understand. What do you mean he's not coming back?"

John sighed to himself and decided to give him some type of fantasy during this tragedy.

John Darby: "Well son, do you remember the story your mom told you when people turn into angels they fly off into Heaven, never to return again?"

Jack nodded as he thought about that story. John just gave it some deep thought as to how he's going to explain the next part next and then told him straight away.

John Darby: "You see Jack, Uncle Kevy turned into an angel and flew to Heaven as well. He won't be coming back, not now, not ever."

Jack heard those words and felt a little heart broken. He lowered his head down and tried to respond to that, holding the tears that were about to come out.

Young Jack: "But, Uncle Kevy promised to me that we would play together when he gets back. He promised!"

John looked at his son and could tell that he was depressed by it all. He could even see a tear coming down his face. He lifted Jack's chin with his hand and wiped to tear from his face, comforting him.

John Darby: "I know your uncle promised to come back to play with you Jack, but we all need to break our promises no matter what we do. But before he headed to Heaven, he told me something that he wants you to hear."

Jack looked up to his dad and asked about it.

Young Jack: "What did he say daddy?"

John was silent until he spoke up about it.

John: "He said that no matter what happens, he would always be with you."

Jack heard those words and couldn't hold on to his tears anymore. Almost immediately, he rushed to his father and gave him a deep hug, crying his eyes out. June just looked at that scene and could tell that it was a sad moment. Though she heard the story John told his son about, she knew what really happened. John's brother Kevin got killed in Iraq. She then approached the two and joined in on the depressing hug, seeking each other's comfort. It truly was a sad day for the Darby family.

End Flashback…

Seven Years Later…

In the city of Florence, Tuscany, every just business as usual. The shopkeepers bringing customers in with their wares, tourists look at the sights with the city, and street performers giving people a really good show. In an alley close to a hotel, John was talking to Elsa about the mission while sitting on his Harley.

John Darby: "All right, let's go over on the mission briefing. There are a small group of cops in one of those hotel rooms that have been helping the Republic Faction in smuggling weaponry from Iraq. The agency believes that there was a small group that's being led by the chief of police and needs to be dealt with. Now from what our Intel gathered is that they are in a hotel room on the 3rd floor in front of the elevator and stairway and has someone watching the door 24/7. Taking them down will get our main target out of hiding."

Elsa de Sica: "So do you want me to execute them?"

John Darby: "No, not yet. We have to check the parameter before we begin on the execution. A team was here before looking at the situation yesterday, though I don't know if that changed yet. Head to the hotel and check on the entry point. Call me when you're done checking the area out. If they haven't changed anything, we start on the mission. If they change their security, then we need to fall back and formulate another strategy. Is that clear?"

Elsa nodded after listening to his orders.

Elsa de Sica: "Understood sir."

John then took out his deposable camera and handed it to his girl.

John Darby: "Here. We're going to need to take pictures of the aftermath as a warning to any cop that wants to get involved in the Republic's dirty work. Now I'll be waiting for you right here. Don't take too long okay?"

Elsa nodded again.

Elsa de Sica: "Yes sir."

She then silently turned around and headed to the hotel where her targets are located. As she disappeared from view, the former military soldier crossed his arms and sighed to himself.

John Darby: "Another mission where I have to kill a bunch of rouge cops. I cannot believe that I have to stoop THAT low. Those people might have families for all I know. But it's all avoidable anyways; any one working for the Faction is an enemy of the agency. I have to do it, for Kevin."

He stuck his hand into the collar of his shirt just to take something out of it. Wrapped around his neck were two dog tags from the military. One is his own dog tags, but the other belonged to that of his twin brother Kevin. Since his death, general Bryce gave John his brother's dog tags when they were able to retrieve his skeletal remains. He wanted to give it to Darby in his memory. At first John didn't want it, but it was the only thing that reminded him about his twin when they were at war in Iraq. So he held on to them since and always takes them out whenever he wants to talk to it like a regular human being. Just like now.

John Darby: "What do you think Kev? Is this the worst assignment I've done in a while? Yeah, I guess so. The Agency promised me to help me find the people responsible for your death. Doing their dirty work is not what I was expecting. But I have to do this job anyways, since I have nothing else to do."

He gave off a deep sigh and starts to remember his time at the agency.

John Darby: "For three years I've been doing this shit. Three years since I've joined the agency. And for those three years I've helped them put a stop to the Republican Faction's operations. The same people that sent all those bombing materials that killed you. Never really an easy feat though, since the higher ups aren't easy to find and kill. So we had to stick with the grubs at the bottom of the barrel. Not my idea for revenge huh? Doesn't matter though, I will still fight this and I will keep fighting until the Republic Faction is no more. I promise you that."

Meanwhile, Elsa slowly walked her way to the hotel where the crooked cops were located. Holding her Amati violin case close to her, she kept a good eye on her surroundings to see if she was being followed. It has been three years since she met her fratello John Darby and it was a unique experience with him. When they were first introduced, he had a calming yet caring tone to him. Sure it got off to a rough start, but as time passed they've been working great together as a team. The missions usually involve clean up and target shots, but they are successful never the less. To the other agents, both John and Elsa have a connection between each other.

For Elsa on the other hand, it's a whole different story. Though a fratello is mostly about sibling devotion, John and Elsa's connection is a different type of devotion. She couldn't quite put a finger on it, but it would seem that he cares for her more then a sibling. It was almost like he's treating her like a daughter he never had. Certainly it was weird for the other agents, but to John it was completely normal. His protection of Elsa was strange, but he always keeps the girl in line his own way. He even does something special for her after every assignment that would make her remember her days with him. A smile crept up her lips as she thought about her fratello's protection and determination for her. Elsa would do the same if he was in danger, that's the purpose of a fratello, the love and devotion of each other.

As she was thinking about it, Elsa noticed the hotel that was in front of her, the very hotel her targets are located. She quietly walked past the people around her and headed up the stairs. After two brisk flights she reached the third floor where the door was in front of her. She made a quick glance and noticed a lone man on guard duty taking a nap. Probably one of the cops that's helping the Republic Faction. The cop slowly opened his eyes to see the girl going up and ignored her, guessing by the violin case that she was heading to someone else's room for some violin lessons. Oh how wrong he was. Once she was halfway to the forth floor and away from the guard, she took out her cell phone and called her handler. After a couple of rings, John was on the line and answered it.

John Darby: "Hello?"

Elsa de Sica: "John, this is Elsa."

John Darby: "Right… What's the set up?"

Elsa de Sica: "The same as yesterday. There's one guard positioned outside the front door."

John Darby: "Good, they haven't updated their security detail yet. This will give us the opening we need. Take all of them out, quick and clean. Don't forget to take the photos of the aftermath. And Elsa?"

Elsa de Sica: "Yes sir?"

John Darby: "Don't make too much of a mess."

When she heard his orders, she hung up the phone and continued heading up the steps to the next floor. She then turned to the left and headed to the elevator that was next to the stairway and pushed the down button to call the lift itself. Thankfully, the doors opened in front of her the moment she pressed it or she would've waited. Elsa entered the elevator and put her violin case on the floor, slowly removing her snow hat, scarf, and jacket to reveal her dark green long sleeve polo jacket with white lines on the zipper, collar, bottom hem and cuffs on the end of the sleeves, and a short button down light brown skirt that goes down to her mid thighs. Opening up her violin case she took out an SG550 service rifle and loaded a fresh clip into the weapon. Already prepared, she used the front end of the rifle to put the '3' button and the elevator made its slow decent. Brushing one of her braids to the side of her back, she waited for the moment to start on her mission.

Outside the hall of the third floor, the guard posted on duty was taking a quick rest next to the door. As he was resting, he heard the sound of a ding from the elevator and woke up. He looked up as the doors slowly opened. When it was fully opened, there was nothing inside the elevator as he thought it was a false alarm. But before he could go back to sleep, he got shot continuously with blood spilling on the walls and floor. Inside the elevator, Elsa peeked out of the right side of the elevator doors and used her rifle to shoot out the guard. But she knows she got the other's attention inside the room itself, so she had to make it quick. Getting out of the elevator, she made a mad dash to the door and shoots the door's handle. Once the handle got detached, she kicked the door with full force and it opened up hard to reveal two more officers sitting in the living area, overhearing the commotion. They were going to act fast, but Elsa ran like a demon from hell and fired her rifle at the two, making one of them dropped his coffee cup and killing both of them on contact. Two more officers came from both rooms between her and saw Elsa killing the other two. One of the officers on the right took his pistol out and fired three shots at her. Although he missed the first two, the last one headed to her head. But Elsa used her rifle hand to let the bullet hit her arm and quickly aimed her weapon at him while using her freehand to cover her face. As she did a quick short burst at him and killed him in seconds; the last officer saw this and has a chance in taking her out. He rushed to her and kicked the rifle out of her hands, leaving her vulnerable to an attack. Elsa lost her balance for a bit, but she kept her footing tight and firm as she positioned herself to fight. The police officer the tightened his fist and was going to do a quick hook to her face. Big mistake. Else saw that move coming and did a quick parry, grabbing his arm, and did an arm drag to take him down to the floor. The officer hit the ground hard and didn't know if his back was broken or not. But that was short lived as Elsa took out her SIG P229 and fired two shots at his head. When she was done, she looked around and noticed that the room was cleared and was littered with bodies she disposed of. Taking out the disposable camera, she started to take pictures of the attack she caused.

Outside of the hotel ten minutes later, John was still waiting for Elsa to come back. As he was waiting, he was talking to the chief of police in Florence on his cell phone while sitting on his bike, threatening the chief.

John Darby: "You know as chief of police, you really should start thinking about who you rather be working with. The government or the terrorists? If you keep getting in our way, I won't hesitate to eliminate you. You see, we have a job to do as well. I'll give you a day to think about it. Don't waste it."

He hung up the phone and sighed to himself.

John Darby: "It's one thing killing rouge cops, it's another posing threats to the chief of police. My job couldn't get any difficult then this."

As he was thinking about it, he heard a voice in the distance.

Elsa de Sica: "John!"

He looked up and saw Elsa walking back to him with her coat on and her violin case still in her hands. John smiled and got up, asking her about the assignment.

John Darby: "Elsa! You're finished with the mission?"

Elsa de Sica: "Yes sir. Everything inside went just as you planed."

John Darby: "And I take it you were able to take all the pictures from the mission."

With that said, Elsa dug into her coat pocket and handed John the camera.

Elsa de Sica: "Here."

He looked at the camera's small gauge and notice that Elsa left one picture.

John Darby: "There's still one reel left. You really need to learn to take all the pictures."

Elsa was shocked that she missed one and lowered her head in shame. John noticed that and decided to ease her mind.

John Darby: "Hey, don't get too upset. You still did a great job out there. These picture in this camera would be enough to give the chief of police a fair warning on what would happen if he makes an alliance with the Republic Faction."

The young girl heard that and looked up to him with a warm smile, knowing that he always care for her even after one slip up. John then looked at the camera and had a small smirk to himself.

John Darby: "Besides, I think I know what to do with the last reel. We should hurry before the sun starts to set. Here, catch!"

He then took a small child helmet with goggles and threw it as Elsa. She managed to grab it with quick reflexes and put it on. Once John got his helmet on, the two got on the bike and started it up. The Harley then drove out of the alley and into the city, heading to the one spot that would be perfect for them.

Ten minutes later, the two were at the edge of the park in the small city of Florence, close to the hotel that they've finished with their assignment. John was setting the camera up at the far end of the barrier while Elsa looked at the view of the city in complete awe.

Elsa de Sica: "It's beautiful sir. I you sure this is wise to take a picture here?"

John just chuckled and answered his little girl while making final check ups.

John Darby: "Of course I'm sure Elsa. The view of the Florence seems like the perfect place for a photo op. Besides, you need to add this special moment to your ever extended collection right?"

Elsa just looked at him and nodded in agreement. Once John got the camera all set up, he smiled and nodded in approval.

John Darby: "All right, looks like I got everything all set up. We're good to go. Stand right there Elsa."

Elsa nodded and got into her position. Once she was ready, John pressed the button and a red light started to blink on the camera. Knowing that it's on standby, he approached Elsa and places his hand on her shoulder while she held on to her violin case with both hands. They both smiled and waited for the camera to take a picture. The red light blinked faster and faster until a flash came out and the picture was taken. Satisfied by the picture being taken, John headed back to the camera and took a good look at it.

John Darby: "All right, looks like we're done. I'll have these photos developed on the way back and get a frame for the last picture we just took. Now come on, let's head back to the agency. There's one more piece of business we have to take care of tomorrow."

Elsa nodded as both she and John left the park. John looked back at Elsa and could tell that she enjoyed the trip. Looking back, he smiled too and talked to himself.

John Darby: "Like I said before, just another day at the Social Welfare Agency."

And that's chapter two in a nutshell. I know most of you people noticed the similarities between this chapter and the scene from the Gunslinger Girl episode. Trust me when I say this, I want to merge this show with TFP very easily and I want to show Elsa's devotion for John Darby much more then Lauro so called love with her. Keep tight though, there are going to be two more chapters from the episode until I go to the Transformers Prime part. Just need you to be patient for a little bit. Please Review.