Author's Notes: So. The story faves and reviews are in. I appreciate your guys' feedback. The Hitman fic community is pretty small, and not very active as far as I can tell. So it's cool that some of you are taking the time to let me know what you think. Thanks for that.

Today's piece picks up where the last one left off. I wasn't quite ready to let 47 or the dinner party go, so I just kept right on going. This chapter not only continues on from the previous episode, but is in and of itself a two-part theme. I'll try to post Part II in a couple days.

The general idea here is "parenting." That is, establishing boundaries for Victoria so that she knows what she should and should not do in a very 47 and Diana kind-of-way. :D Enjoy.

Disclaimer: Hitman is © of I/O Interactive.

Taste-tester (Part I)

After dinner, Victoria had rushed upstairs to change into her pjs. She didn't think 47 would just take off…but it wasn't something Victoria was willing to risk. She threw on her night clothes with lightning speed, nearly tripping twice, then bounded down the stairs two steps at a time. As she hit the bottom step, she scanned the room anxiously, exhaling in relief. 47—still present—and Diana had moved from the kitchen to the living area. Ever the professional, Diana sat opposite 47, her legs crossed and an after-dinner drink in hand. 47, dapper as always in his classic suit and tie, eyed Diana from his seat. His face was characteristically stern, but with a probing intensity that Victoria had come to learn was reserved for Diana and Diana alone. He too held a glass in hand, which he sipped between soul-shattering stares.

Moments passed as Victoria eyeballed their bizarre "exchange." But Diana took notice of her dawdling and beckoned her near with a smile. Embarrassed, Victoria scooted barefoot across the dining room carpet. She plopped herself on the couch beside 47, flashing her mysterious savior a shy smile.

The gesture was not returned. However, the pondering curiosity with which he analyzed Diana was dropped. He did not smile, but his face was not unkind.

Feeling brave, Victoria inched closer. To her surprise, 47 did not recoil, but rather leaned forward, granting her a closer look at the drink in hand. It was the color of amber and smelled...strong. She sniffed it experimentally, wondering if the taste matched its robust smell. 47, eyebrow raised, looked once at the drink, then once again at her, tilting the glass forward in offering.

Victoria was used to wine. Diana drank it most nights with dinner. She'd even been allowed a glass, once or twice, though she'd never particularly taken to the taste.

But this...this wasn't wine.

Out of the corner of her eye, Diana shot 47 a mildly disapproving frown. 47 shook his head in response, as if to say, "It's fine." Diana stared blankly for a moment, but ultimately nodded her consent. Somewhere in her caretakers' wordless "talk," they'd reached a silent, but unified consensus. It wasn't the first time Diana and 47 had "consulted" one another with regards to her. The fact made her chest warm.

With the matter settled, she wrapped her fingers gingerly around either side of the glass, her fingertips overlapping his own as they tilted the drink in unison to her lips.

Almost instantly, she was repulsed.

The liquid was icy cold, but bitter. What a horrid taste! Victoria could feel her face puckering at the pungent flavor, her hands hastily pushing the drink as far from her mouth as her arms could reach. It was all she could do not to spit up over herself, 47, and the living room couch. She glared at the offending substance through pursed lips, squinting her eyes in gagging disgust.

Smirking, 47 leaned back, taking the chilled glass with him. Victoria understood then that she'd been set up, his body language indicating he'd sent and delivered the intended message.

"Remember that," was his only remark.

Diana laughed daintily into her wine, her bright eyes cast adoringly at 47, as if to say, "Well done." Victoria didn't think it quite as funny, but had to admit, it was worth it to see both 47 and Diana so relaxed. It wasn't often that either of them looked...happy.

It was a hard—and yucky—lesson learned. But Victoria giggled nonetheless, her shoulders falling playfully against the toned arm of 47.

It was a good day.