Jason watched as Alexia pulled on her jacket and headed towards the truck. He watched as she said something to the driver before he pulled off.

Sighing, she turned and began to head back towards her apartment.

Jason dropped down from his hiding place and watched as the door closed behind her.

As fast as a bullet, he threw a shuriken, stopping the door from closing. Smiling, he moved towards the door and slipped into the building, grabbing his shuriken before he did so.

Alexia let out a sigh as she sat on her windowsill and dropped her head into her hand.

"How the hell did this shit happen?" She asked, shaking her head.

"Running, are we?" A voice suddenly asked. She jumped up and spun around, her fists raised. Her eyes narrowed as she found herself face to face with none other than the Red Hood.

"How the hell did you get into my apartment?" She growled, stepping forward and glaring at him. He chuckled and took a step forward, smiling to himself as she took a step back, slightly intimidated.

"I saw what happened with Adrian." He casually said, waiting to see her reaction. At once, she froze and dropped her fist. She turned away, her expression unreadable.

"I left him perfectly fine. Then, I come back and find him dead." She said, shaking her head as she headed towards the window.

"That's too bad." He smirked, walking towards her. She spun around, her eyes hard.

"What do you mean that's too bad? He's dead, you bastard!" She growled, raising her fists again. He chuckled and nodded, amused at her reaction.

"Don't pretend to be sad. We both know you're not. You're leaving town." He smirked, moving towards her before stopping and folding his arms.

"So? Why should I stay?" She asked, shaking her head before she turned away. Jason chuckled and shrugged as he moved closer to her.

"Why shouldn't you stay? The guy you liked just died and you're leaving town. Doesn't really seem as if you liked him." Jason smiled as she spun around, her face livid with anger.

"Do you have something to hide? Is that why you're leaving?" He asked, raising an eyebrow in an attempt to provoke her. Alexia responded just as he wanted as she growled and stepped forward, her face red with rage.

"Are you suggesting that I have something to do with his death?" She asked, her tone harsh and as sharp as a knife. Jason chuckled at her and shook his head.

"No. Just that I'd expect you to stay back and get revenge." He said in a voice telling her it should have been obvious.

Alexia scoffed and sat on the sill again, turning her back towards him.

"Why would I want to get revenge? He took his own life. No one killed him or anything. The police said there was no sign of breaking and entering. He was the only one in the room." She said, turning to face him. However, Jason shook his head.

"No, he wasn't. He didn't take his own life. He was killed." He said, watching as shock overcame her facial features. Alexia gasped before putting her hand over her mouth.

"What? That can't be true. That's not true." She breathed, clearly shocked. Jason nodded as her eyes grew wide.

"He was. By Minerva." He replied, watching as she leaned against the window.

"Who?" She asked, the name unfamiliar to her.

"An assassin." Jason replied, causing her to hold her breath.

"But, he was in the apartment alone. There was also security. For god's sake, he was staying in the penthouse suite. There was no way she could have gotten up there. There is a separate elevator that you need to take to get to his apartment. It's impossible for her to get up there, unless she climbed the building." Alexia said, shaking her head as she thought about it. There was no way he was killed. It was impossible.

"Well, she made it into the apartment and killed him." Jason replied, watching as her face became skeptical. However, Alexia rose and scoffed, folding her arms.

"How do you know that she killed him? Don't make crap up. He probably did take his own life." Alexia growled as she moved to grab a box.

"Unless you killed him." She suddenly added, her eyes becoming dark as she turned to face him. She watched as Red Hood took a step back before he threw his head back and laughed.

"Me? What makes you think I killed him?" He asked, curious about how she reached that conclusion.

"Well, you seem to know a lot about his death. After all, you are the only one who seems to believe he was murdered." She replied as she straightened and folded her arms.

"Besides, we both know what you do. The infamous Red Hood. You do good for us and clean up Gotham City, but we all know that you have no problem with killing those who get into your way as well as criminals." She added, her expression suddenly changing.

"I see your point. I do eliminate criminals, but I didn't kill him. If I did, would I be here?" He asked, his voice calm and composed. Alexia turned away, her jaw set.

Jason watched as she turned away and smiled to himself as he saw her jaw set in place. She was thinking about what he had said. However, what she had said registered itself in his mind.

"Oh, so you did know who Adrian was?" He suddenly asked, leaning against the wall. She tensed before turning and nodding.

"Yes. I wouldn't have gone out with a guy I didn't even know. I knew he was the Italian kingpin." She replied before she shrugged.

"I do my research." She added as if it were nothing.

"I see. Nice to know you're so thorough." He replied, a smirk in his voice.

"You still didn't tell me why you believe he was murdered." She put the box in her hand back on the floor.

"It's simple. The assassin left her calling card." He answered as she looked up at him, confused.

"But, the police didn't find any cards." She replied, shaking her head.

"I know. Because her card isn't a card. It's her symbol. She left this." He held up the tiger lily.

"How did you get that? Wasn't it in police custody?" She asked, before she remembered who he was.

"Wasn't very difficult. So, are you going to get your revenge or not?" He asked, his voice somewhat questioning. Alexia shook her head and turned away, hugging herself.

"No. I'm leaving town. I don't want to deal with this." She said, shaking her head.

"So, you are running?" He asked, watching as she spun around to face him.

"Yes, I am! I don't need this! This isn't my concern!" She replied as she spun to face him.

"If you say so." Was his reply. She let out a sigh before she moved towards him.

"Then, what do you suggest I do?" She asked, raising an eyebrow at him.

"I don't know. You're the one who loved him." She gave him a look before chuckling.

"I don't love. I learned not to a long time ago." She was suddenly in front of him.

"You know, I'm going to miss you stalking me." She said seductively before leaning in and pressing her lips against his. His eyes widened in surprise before he pulled her closer and roughly kissed her. She let out a groan and opened her mouth as his tongue plunged in and began to explore.

She let out a gasp as he bit her lip before pulling away, a dazed look in her eyes.

"Thanks for the farewell present. Try not to get killed by anyone." She winked before she turned around and grabbed the box.

"Same to you." He replied as she let out a chuckle. She turned around and smirked to herself as she saw she was standing alone.

"Bye, Red Hood." She smiled before walking out of her apartment.

Jason watched as the cab drove away, Alexia in it.

She had decided to leave after all. Not that he cared. Her farewell present had been wonderful and enough for him.

At least, he knew that she was not Minerva. Unless, she had already completed her job here.

His face changed as he turned in the direction she had just left in.

He wanted to go after her, but decided against it. She was gone. He didn't need to worry about her anymore. Besides, there was no way she was Minerva.

And, if she was Minerva, she was gone. Yet, somehow in the pit of his stomach, he had a feeling that Minerva was going to stick around.

Shaking his head, he turned away.

"Not my problem." He growled as he walked towards the edge of the building, his mind racing.

His mind flashed to Aria, the cowardly secretary. She was his next target. He needed to find out what Rick was up to. For that, he would need to watch her constantly.

He had a feeling that her boss was the next person on Minerva's list.

From the looks of her kills, Minerva was taking out drug dealers. And not just any drug dealers. She was aiming for the kingpins.

He chuckled to himself as he disappeared into the shadows. Minerva's appearance was beginning to become even more interesting.

"I understand." Aria replied as she listened to her boss's yelling. He was upset.

No, upset was an understatement.

He was pissed off. Beyond angry at her.

And why? Because his date had stood him up the night before.

He was angry because the girl he had wanted to go on a date with, the girl he had told Aria to call, had stood him up.

Rather than being upset at her, he was angry at Aria because he claimed she was the one who had called his date and that she should have made sure his date showed up.

Aria closed her eyes and listened as he vented his anger on her. Then, he stopped and abruptly hung up.

Sighing, Aria hung up the phone before she leaned forward, dropping her head into her hand.

"Dear God, why am I still here?" She sighed as she shook her head. Her head shot up as the phone rang once again.

"Than-" She began before an angry voice interrupted her.

"Where is my lunch?" Rick's angry voice demanded. Aria's eyes looked over to the clock. It was only 11 am.

"But, sir-" She began before he cut her off again.

"Don't 'but sir' me! Get me my lunch!" He yelled before the line went dead.

Aria looked at the phone before she hung it up, her jaws clenched.

"Fine." She growled, getting to her feet.

"Thank you." Aria smiled as she placed the order for Rick's lunch. As she looked out the window of the diner Rick enjoyed ordering from, her cell phone rang.

"Hello?" She answered, watching the light outside change.

"I'm going out to lunch with Tania. I'll be back at 1 or 2. Have lunch and be back in the office before I get back." Rick's voice answered from the other end of the phone. Before she could respond, the line went dead.

Shaking her head, she looked down at the phone before she turned and headed back to the counter.

"I'm sorry. Can you cancel the order I just placed?" She asked, batting her eyes at the guy behind the counter. He looked annoyed before a smile crossed his face and nodded.

"Of course." He smiled. She returned the smile before she looked at the menu.

"Can I get a coffee and a Grilled Chicken Salad?" She asked, turning back towards the guy. He smiled and nodded before he turned to give the orders to the chef.

Aria let out a sigh before she turned and headed towards an empty booth.

"What an ass." She mumbled as she sat waiting for her order, her thoughts drifting to her boss. She looked out the window, her eyes narrowing. She looked over towards the door as it opened and saw a guy in his early twenties stroll in.

He had gelled back black hair and deep green eyes. He was dressed in black cargo pants, a white wife beater, and a black leather jacket.

She watched as he looked around the diner before she lowered her eyes.

"Your order." A voice said above her. She looked up as the waiter delivered her order and smiled.

"Thanks." She said as he set it down. She looked over at her utensils and straightened them, placing the knife directly next to the spoon.

She began picking at the food, no longer hungry. Suddenly, a shadow fell over her.

She looked up and found herself face to face with the attractive stranger who had entered the diner seconds ago.

"Is this seat occupied?" He asked, his voice deep and compelling. She couldn't help but notice how green his eyes were or the stubble on his cheek. However, she pulled herself together and shook her head.

"No." She replied, returning her attention to her food as he sat.

"Thanks." He said. A nod was her reply. She looked down at the food, calming herself down.

She didn't need a romance at the moment. No, she had gone so long without a relationship. She had learned the nature of men from an early age. As it was, there was no way any guy would want to pursue a relationship with her. She was married to her work and hardly had time for herself. Unlike the other women she saw walking around dressed in the latest style, she was always dressed professionally. A business suit, her hair in a tight bun, and her glasses. Cool, composed, professional. Men never spared her a second glance when she was walking down the street. Hell, some of them didn't even bother to look at her.

She had a mission in life and a love interest didn't exactly fit into the picture.

'No matter how tall, dark, and sexy he is.' She thought as she snuck a glance at the stranger sitting across from her.

"The name's Jay." The stranger suddenly said to her. She looked up, her eyes hard and emotionless, and saw a smile on his face. She had temporarily forgotten he was at the table with her.

'I didn't ask.' Was what she wanted to reply. However, she merely nodded.

"Aria." She said, looking down at her salad. She finally took a bite of the lettuce, avoiding looking at the stranger, who she knew was looking at her.

"Beautiful name." He smiled, watching as she gazed out the window. She turned towards him and gave him a curt smile before returning to her salad.

"So, what's a beautiful girl like you eating all alone for?" He asked, leaning back. Aria felt a vein in her head throb, wanting to turn and ask him why it mattered.

However, her phone rang before she could say anything. Just in time. She looked down at the caller's ID, grateful to whoever was calling her.

Rick.

She let out an unnoticeable sigh before she answered the phone. She supposed she should have been happy he called and stopped her from being rude. However, the minute she answered, she immediately regretted doing so.

"Where are you?" Rick's voice growled over the phone.

"What?" Aria asked, confused. She looked down at her watch, confused. It was only 11:30.

"Why are you not in the office?" He demanded. He obviously didn't know how to speak politely.

"I'm eating lunch. You said you would be back until 1 or 2 pm." She replied, struggling to keep her voice calm.

"Well, I'm back. My date canceled." He growled impatiently. Aria groaned internally as she realized she was in trouble. She should have just gone back to the office.

Now, she would have to face his anger because of his date. She now felt dread growing inside her, not wanting to return to the office.

"Right. I'll be there in a few minutes." She said, already grabbing her purse. She looked down at her half finished salad and sighed.

"Hurry up! And bring me lunch!" Rick yelled over the phone before abruptly hanging up. Aria let out a sigh before she hung up the phone.

He was so demanding. She looked up and remembered that there was someone at the table with her.

However, Jay was looking at a menu, oblivious to her conversation. Aria stood and saw him look up.

"Bye." She said, turning and heading towards the counter before he could stop her.

Aria quickly ordered Rick's lunch, listening as an annoyed chef prepared it.

After it was finished, she quickly paid before she turned and left the diner. As she crossed the street, she could feel Jay's eyes on her back.

However, she stared ahead, pushing him from her mind. She didn't have time to think about sexy males, not with a pissed Rick waiting to eat her alive the minute she entered the office.

Jay, alias Jason, watched as Aria left the diner.

Just as he had thought. She was boring. Not the kind of woman who would know the true nature of her boss nor the kind of woman who would be his accomplice. She was too sophisticated and too much of a perfectionist.

He had seen her fixing her utensils as well as the napkin before she had begun to eat. He watched as she crossed the street. Despite himself, he chuckled as he saw her look at the light, making sure it was green before she crossed the street.

She was afraid of jade walking. Not the kind of woman to assist a drug lord in his crimes nor did he think she would knowingly work for someone like that.

So much for using her to gather information about Rick.

He leaned back and sighed. He would kill Rick himself, but he wanted Minerva to make another appearance.

He knew that she would not do so if Rick was dead. After all, he was her next victim.

It was only a matter of time before she killed again.

But, this time, he would be there waiting to take her down.

Minerva let out an angry growl as the man grabbed her wrist. The rain pasted her hair in her face.

"Get off of me!" She huffed, pulling her hand and then flipping the man. She turned and folded her fists as she saw the ninjas suddenly behind her.

She chuckled before returning her attention to the leader, the one she had just flipped.

"So, what does he want?" She asked, pulling out her sais.

"Come on. You're smarter than that." He smiled at her. Minerva chuckled and nodded.

"Well, sorry to say, but you won't be completing your job." She said.

She dodged as the ninja charged towards her before spinning and delivering a punch to his abdomen.

Laughing, she watched as he crumpled to his knees and coughed up some blood before she turned to the other ninjas.

"Are you guys just decoration?" She smirked, waiting for them to attack.

Without a word, several of them ran towards her. She let out a pleased squeal as she dodged and threw punches.

Two fell as she delivered a kick to their heads. Three more charged towards her.

"What a workout!" She exclaimed as she continued fighting. As she killed them and watched them disappear in puffs of black smoke, more rose from the shadows.

"He sent the entire clan for me, didn't he?" She asked as she stabbed one with her sai. The head ninja rose and raised his hand, gesturing for the others to stop fighting. He turned towards Minerva and pulled out his katana.

"One on one now?" Minerva asked, holding her sais in front of her as she got into a fight stance. He nodded and she smiled before bowing, not moving her eyes from the ninja.

The minute she straightened, he charged towards her, his katana raised. She smirked and quickly stepped aside, the katana blade missing her. Rainwater sprayed up as she moved with agility.

He spun around as quickly as lightning and swung the blade once again.

At an inhuman speed, Minerva dodged the blade and sliced with her sai. She felt it collide with flesh and looked down at the blade dripping with fresh blood.

She looked over at the ninja, who was clutching his upper arm and glaring at her. Without a word or utter of pain, he charged towards her.

Minerva raised her sai, prepared to run him through. However, before he reached her, he disappeared.

She let out a growl as she turned and looked around.

"Using shadow tricks, are we? Did Ciaran teach you to fight?" She growled, her eyes looking into the shadow. She took a step back, her ears listening for any movement.

No human ears would have picked up the almost silent exhale with the rain beating down on the roof.

However, Minerva spun around just as the figure moved towards her. Sais in her hand, she felt it plunge through the man's heart before she pulled it out and watched him drop to the ground.

"Those tricks don't work on me." She smirked as she watched him disappear in a puff of black smoke.

She chuckled as she straightened and turned towards the rest of the ninjas.

"Tell Ciaran that if he want me, let him come and get me himself. Don't waste my time by sending these amateurs." She growled as she replaced her sais.

"After all, I am his monster." She smiled at them. However, her eyes changed as she saw the outline of Red Hood on the roof three houses away.

"Go!" She yelled, dismissing the ninjas. She watched as the disappeared and saw Jason moving towards her. He was in front of her within a few seconds.

"Are you stalking me?" She couldn't help smiling as he stopped in front of her. He chuckled and folded his arms.

"Don't flatter yourself." He replied in a gruff voice.

"If you say so." She said, shrugging before she turned away.

"What did you do to Adrian?" He asked. She stopped and chuckled before turning to face him.

"I see you saw my latest work. It was a masterpiece, wasn't it?" She couldn't help expressing her pride in her work.

"The funny thing was I didn't even kill him." She smirked.

"Really?" He asked, cocking his head in an interested way. She chuckled and nodded, moving towards him.

"He took his own life." She breathed as she stopped inches from him.

"After all, how could I kill him? I wasn't even in the room with him." She said as she reached out and ran a finger up his chest. She felt his muscles contract and knew that he was internally yelling at himself for responding to her touch.

"Don't beat yourself up." She smirked as he tensed up.

"You're still a guy. It's natural." She chuckled. He knew she was referring to the way his body had reacted to her touch. However, being a guy didn't change the fact that she was a murderer who had killed several drug lords.

"Who were they?" He asked, referring to the ninjas.

"Some old friends." She responded, noticing the way he didn't react.

"Jealous?" She teased, leaning in closer. He chuckled and shook his head.

"As if. They can have you." He replied. She did a pouty face and shook her head.

"You don't know how to treat a lady, do you?" She asked, shaking her head as she pulled back.

"Don't flatter yourself. You're not exactly a lady. After all, which lady would kill Brent the way you did? or Adrian?" He asked, raising a questioning eyebrow. She chuckled and nodded before carelessly shrugging her shoulders.

"Very well. You got me. But, if you'll excuse me, I need to go. My hair frizzes easily." She smirked, gesturing to her hair and the rain. She turned and was about to walk away when she felt his hand clamp around her wrist.

"I'm afraid," He began, pulling her towards him.

"I can't let you do that, sweets." He said as she crashed into his chest and he clamped his arms around her. He was aware of his arms wrapping around her chest.

"Oh, not on the second date, sweetheart." She purred as she rubbed against him before she pushed away and spun around to punch him.

"You're fast, toots." He chuckled as he caught her fist and pulled her against him. She chuckled and shrugged before leaning in closer so their lips were only centimeters apart.

"One has to be in my field." She whispered before she pulled back and rammed her head into his. Caught by surprise, he released her and grasped his forehead.

Without wasting another second, she turned and began to run.

"You're not getting away that easily!" Jason growled as he caught himself and began running after her.

She chuckled and jumped to another roof before she turned and smiled at him.

"Really? Because I think I am. But, we'll have our third date soon, lover." She smiled a Cheshire smile at him before winking. Rain ran down her face as she reached into her pocket.

"Now you see me," She began as lightening flashed.

"Now you don't." Her voice said as the lightening stopped. Jason looked at the spot where she had been standing. Well, about a second ago.

It was now empty.

"Damn it!" He growled, running towards the spot she had been standing in.

He wasn't going to let her get away this time.

His eyes grew wide as he saw a figure a few building away. He watched as the figure slipped into one of the windows of the building.

"Got you!" He smiled to himself as he ran towards the building.

He jumped and landed on the fire escape. He quickly pulled aside the curtain and entered the room, not prepared for what he was about to see.

"What an asshole!" Aria growled as she pulled off her jacket.

She just got home and was soaked from head to toe because life had decided to make it rain on the one day she had forgotten her umbrella.

"I swear to God, one day he'll get what's coming to him." She mumbled as she pulled off her wet shirt. After yelling at her and blaming her for his screw-up, Rick had made her stay overtime to fix it.

She walked in front of the mirror and looked at her soaked hair. It was beginning to curl.

"Damn it, I need a bath." She mumbled as she looked down at her soaked shirt and sighed.

She kicked off her shoes and straightened in time to see someone enter her room.

Aria's eyes grew wide as the figure stood there.

He was dressed in a red biker's helmet, black cargo pant, a black muscle shirt, and combat boots.

She saw the rain drops running down his well defined biceps, glistening in the light.

However, her eyes grew wide as she realized she was standing in front of him in a wet skirt and bra.

"Who are you?" She screamed as she crossed her arms over her chest.

Jason's eyes grew wide as he entered the room to find a half naked Aria staring back at him.

She was standing in the room, dressed in a wet skirt and bra. Her hair was wet and pushed back and the rain drops were rolling down her body in an erotic way.

He watched her eyes grew wide as she took him in before she screamed.

"Who are you?" She yelled as she covered her chest.

He stood, unsure what to say. After all, how often had he walked in on a half naked woman?

"Red Hood." He responded, fighting to make his voice rough and cruel.

"Why are you in my house?" She asked, her voice full of confusion and, Jason almost smirked, anger. She was angry?

He swallowed his urge to chuckle as he responded.

"I'm looking for a woman." He replied, watching her eyes grow wide and confusion disappear.

"So, you came into my house?" She asked, obviously pissed now. He realized what he said before he continued.

"An assassin." He added, watching the anger now get replaced by fear.

"Assassin?" She whispered, her courage suddenly evaporating.

"Has anyone entered your house?" He asked, taking a step towards her. She looked around, obviously nervous now by the way she backed away from him.

"No, no one. Only me." She replied in a quivering and scared voice. Jason was surprised she didn't say cats.

After all, she seemed like she was the sort of woman who might have cats to keep her company. From what he had noticed, she didn't have a boyfriend and never went on dates.

However, he reevaluated that guess as he looked at her.

No, she wasn't one of those women who couldn't get dates. Judging from his proximity to her and her body, she just didn't want to date.

"Well, there's no one here." He heard her say as she saw him staring at her body. He nodded and turned towards the window lest he do something he regret.

"Just lock up. It's dangerous. Anyone can enter your house." He said as he climbed out the window.

"And you live all alone." He added, emphasizing the last part before he disappeared.

Aria watched as he left before she rushed towards the window and closed it, securing it with the lock.

"I need a long bath." She sighed as she headed towards the bathroom. This day was too much for her.

Jason watched as she quickly locked the window and almost chuckled.

She was so scared. She never jade-walked, never yelled, and, from what he had seen from watching her, never sampled anything even it was free.

He should have checked her apartment, but had decided not to.

After all, she would never hide an assassin in her apartment.

She wasn't the type of woman to hang on the wrong side of the law.

Besides, she might come in handy for him later on.

He looked at her window once again and chuckled as he saw the lights go off.

It was 8 and she was already going to sleep.

Soo, reviews! I know it took me a while, but kinda having writer's block! Neways, will update asap.
-DramaQueen95