Disclaimer: Don't own Black Lagoon.

Note: Sorry, sorry. Exams are getting in the way and I'm been up 24/7 for the past few days. I'm ok now! I think.

Chapter 7

Chime was on a dirty large cargo ship with her little clipboard. Today they were shipping off weapons as a request from one of their clients. Since Chime was the one who can do a thorough job, she got appointed to make sure nothing goes a miss. Counting the boxes that just got transported, she gave a mental pat on the back before going up to a very large bald man who was collecting ropes back up.

"We are done transferring the crates, if you could please sign this?"

A moment of silence she stared at the man who completely ignored her. A bit irritated she looked to the other people before she spoke a bit louder.

"Excuse me, could someone sign this?"

All of a sudden someone kicked the lid of the crates and handed a gun to his coworker, after he inspected the gun he gave a thumbs up. Chime released a sigh that she didn't know she was holding but took another intake of breath when she felt someone tap her shoulder. She turned around to see the man she asked before give her a huge grin and signed the papers. Then he pointed at something behind her, as she looked there was a young boy of ten years old standing in front of another man who was holding him in place. Chime looked back at the man with a confused look.

"Your package." Was all he said. The man pushed the boy to her arms and the crew dispersed. She took the boy by her hand and led him to the side of the ship, while she communicated with Dutch.

"Dutch?"

"So everything's ok, Chime?"

"All ok, even got them to sign."

"We should have a package from them as well. Did you get it?"

"I got it, but…"

"Is there a problem? If not, get them to use a crane once more and get down here with the package."

"Roger."

"Excuse me, could someone put us down onto the boat?"

Someone lowered a platform in front of them. Chime looked up at the control deck and could make out someone waving to her to get on. Taking hold of the boy, she held his shoulders to make sure he doesn't do any sudden movements. They were lifted down at a slow pace and hovered above the boat. Chime got down first and extended her arms for the boy to come down safely. He gave her a glare but complied. Taking his hand she brought him into the control room.

As she came in she saw Rio leaning in with Dutch but she was still not sure what was going on..

"I counted the crates like you wanted me to, and brought the package with me but, is he it?"

She looked down at the boy who was glaring at the people in front of him but looked up to Dutch.

"Once we're back, we're handing him over to a certain Columbian Mafioso buyer at a designated point. Rio, put him in a cabin for now."

"Alright. Come on."

Rio said while putting a hand on the boys shoulder, but the boy shrugged Rio's hand off him violently. Rio just got more irritated and grabbed the scruff of his shirt.

"Don't fight back. Come on!"

Chime winced. Her maternal instincts were kicking in but she suppressed it knowing that Rio would backfire on her than on the boy. She just leaned back and listened to the horn that the cargo ship was honking and waited until all she could hear was the hum of the boat, the seagulls and the waves. She was taken out of her trance when Dutch tossed her a can of beer.

"We're a delivery company."

Chime gave an annoyed grimace for she knew that Dutch was lecturing her again, she was getting tired of it.

"We take packages to their designated destinations. That's where our responsibility ends. Understand?"

"I understand. I won't get attached to the boy."

"Good girl."

She opened the can but it burst open and went all over her hand and on the floor. She still drank, letting the beer cool her throat and her temper. As she skulled the drink she looked down at the mess she made and sighed while getting a mop. No sooner did she finish the boat shook with Rio's shout.

"Bring it on! Want me to show you what you had for breakfast?"

"Chime," Dutch grimaced. "Sorry but would you trade baby-sitting duty with Rio? His professionalism is a problem in itself."

Crash!! "Come on over here! BRAT!"

"It's no good if the package has holes in it."

"Son of a bitch!"

Chime just ran into the cabin and saw the boy cornered with Rio pointing the gun at him. Within a second she was standing in front of Rio with a stern face.

"Rio! Out, out out! Get out!"

"That brat needs a lesson! Taking advantage to my kindness"

"JUST GET OUT!!"

Chime shouted while Benny came in to drag Rio away. Even when he was out of the cabin, the boy and Chime could hear him banging on the pipes. Chime looked down at the boy who glared at her as he resumed his spot in front of the pizza carton.

"You'll have to excuse him, he has a very short fuse."

The boy threw a slice of pizza into her face. Chime lifted her brows and pouted her lips. Her mother always told her not to play with her food. The boy did need a lesson in manners.

"Well, it'll only be for a short while, but we're on the road together. So, stop throwing food, will ya?"

"I won't say a thing. Santa Maria sees everything, you villain."

The boy said than brought his legs towards his chest. Chime only sighed and brought out her handkerchief to wipe her face of the cheese and a pepperoni piece that was on her forehead.

"Well there is not much I can say to that while I'm helping with this kidnapping. Also I'm an atheist, don't really believe, Bu-u-u-t it's your opinion."

"Your different from the tattooed guy or the black man. You seem like a normal person."

Chime peeked from the handkerchief and gave a small smile. Tucking the piece of cloth away she sat down next to him.

"It may seem like that, I'm still a villain in training."

"The people who put me on the boat didn't tell me anything. Am I being sold somewhere?"

Chime furrowed her eyebrows and stared at the boy. She wanted to tell him it was alright but she couldn't lie to him in this situation.

"Are you worried?"

The boy looked at her and smiled.

"I'll be fine. My father will save me.'

"Father? Aren't you an orphan?"

The boy looked at her angrily.

"Who told you that? The cartel? They're liars. My father is a member of one of the great thirteen families of South America. The 11th head of the Loveless household, Diego Jose San Fernando Loveless. I'm his only son, I'll eventually become the head of the family. Garcia Loveless."

The boy proudly said, but Chime had to grin. She had done her homework about the thirteen families before but it was cute to see him try.

"If you're wanting pity, stop wasting your time. You should come up with a better story than that one."

"Pity? Don't be stupid. What could I gain from lying now?"

Chime lifted her eyebrows in surprise.

"You're an unlikeable child aren't you? Anyway, where did you hear the name of Loveless? It's the lowest noble house of the thirteen families. Though that makes it a little more believable."

"I know things haven't been going well lately. But we've been getting by. Father is a man of good character. He never did anything on the side. The plantations were stable until the mafia came."

"And they are the ones that kidnapped you. You're very good at being a story teller."

Chime said while taking out a cigarette. Garcia looked at her annoyed.

"They came to buy our lands. Geological tests showed that lanthanides could be found there."

Something started to smell fishy to Chime while Garcia talked on.

"My father refused them and they showed their true selves. They started to harass the farms, but my father still wouldn't nod his head. That's why I'm here."

"Lanthanides?"

"It's also called rare earth. Don't you know your periodic table?"

"Where did you learn a word like that?"

"You still don't believe me. It's fine."

"It's not that simple."

"What can I do to make you believe me?"

"Tell me what you know about rare earth."

"Lutetium, atomic number 71, was found on our land, used as a repairing medium for ceramics. How's that?"

Garcia opened one eye at Chime who stubbed her cigarette on her beer can. Now she knew something smelt very fishy and wrong. But Garcia misinterpreted that she didn't believe him. So he stood up and walked away from her.

"No good, huh?"

"Next question: the Loveless household has a dog. Regarding that dog, what do you know?"

"That's easy. That dog became a member of our family six years ago. His name is Lazlo, a white-furred Volpino Italiano."

Chime narrowed her eyes.

"Wait here."

She just told him before she got out of the cabin and started on the ladder. Just when she opened the lid before her stood Rio who had this I-knew-it face.

"Told you. With eyes just like that." Was all he said.

Chime rolled her eyes before going up to Dutch to tell him what she found out. The more she told him the more he started to frown and a line appearing on his forehead.

"That's odd. I don't like the feeling of this."

"I think we might want to wait until after we dock to give him to the mafia. The cartel were lying. If they're lying, it means trouble."

From behind her she could hear that Rio took out his gun because of the audible metal clink that it made.

"Chime," Rio started to flip his gun. "You shouldn't pity our packages. You're going to feel like shit if you imagine where he might end up. As long as there's profit for our company, there's no problem. Understand. No problem. The world keeps on spinning even if justice doesn't exist."

Rio flipped his gun back into his holster as an affect, while Chime narrowed her eyes.

"I'd be lying if I said I didn't pity him, but I'm also concerned that our client lied. I used to be in the resource investigation department of my company, I know about rare earth and rare metals. The boy is correct in what he says about the Loveless family, I've seen the papers of South America, the family structure and whatnot."

Rio snorted.

"Impressive, Chime. A lovely business lady you are. Daddy should give you a lovely coconut pie as a reward. Either way, Dutch decides. I'll go with what he says."

Rio peered at Dutch who was looking at nothing but one could tell he was contemplating.

"I don't get it. The moment they had the kid they could have demanded a ransom and accomplished their goal. Is there a reason to keep him a secret?"

Rio spoke up and Chime winced when she saw the state of his eyes, once again it was cold.

"I don't know the reason why it's a secret. But selling him off has a simple and clear reasoning. They were pissed off." Rio looked at the duo. "Mafia's and cartel can't stand having shit rubbed in their faces. Right."

Dutch slowed the ship into a stroll.

"Rio, if their face is what's at stake then this is going to be a hassle. I'll put a little more insurance about our package, I'll ask Balalaika to see what's going on."

With that Dutch contacted Balalaika, knowing he would be in his office at this time probably looking at some papers or whatnot.

"Yes?"

"Balalaika. This is Dutch."

"Dutchy-boy! What a pleasant surprise. What is the honor of your call?"

"I have a favor it ask."

"Wow! It's very rare to have Dutch ask a favor."

"Details on the Manisarera cartel and the Loveless family. Can you prepare that for us?"

"Hmmm, we actually got a job in concerning Manisarera. You have good timing, Dutch."

"Thanks I owe you one. Since we're still just setting up the insurance, can I ask you don't stir things up?"

"That's impossible."

Dutch and Chime were surprised.

"What?"

"In our business, when things get stirred up they get stirred up like a typhoon."

"Just do you best, do it cool."

"Ok, Ok. Do I reach you in the office?"

"No, we'll be having a drink at the Yellow Flag."

"Ok. Talk to you later. And send my love to my Japonski."

"She's right beside me."

"Oh, really! My little Japonski, would you like to join me for a date next week?"

Chime looked utterly confused and annoyed. Grabbing Dutch's hand she calmly replied back through her gritted teeth.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Balalaika. I don't think I'm free on that day and I don't think I'm yours."

Chime heard chuckling on the other end.

"Yet. My little Japonski. You'll see. You'll be going on a date with me soon. Look forward to it. See ya."

The line ended. Dutch swerved to see two irritated looking people in the cabin. Chime, understandably, but Rio was scowling at the device used. Dutch just ignored this and addressed Chime.

"Right, Chime. One more thing I need you to confirm. Is Daddy Loveless the type to spend personal resources to deal a hostage situation, like the kid says?"

Chime let the comments from Balalaika wash away from her thoughts and fully concentrated on the situation.

"I don't think so. They only have enough resources to keep one servant."

"A servant? What kind?"

"A butler."

Rio yawned but looked highly amused.

"You think the Butler's gonna rush in to save the little prince? That'd be fun."

Chime once again narrowed her eyes at Rio while his smirked turned into a scowl looking at her. Their glare contest was interrupted when the boy came in. He instantly went to Chime's side and held onto her pants.

"I need to go to the bathroom."

Chime smiled down at him and took the hand that held onto her pants and led him to the bathroom. Rio scowled even deeper when he noticed a smirk the boy gave him when Chime wasn't looking.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

It was dark when they parked in the docks. Chime woke Garcia as he fell asleep after he went to the bathroom. Rio took the scruff of the boys' shirt and dumped him on the platform.

"We're here. It's land. Hurry up and walk."

Rio gave a smack on the head to the boys' head. Garcia turned and rubbed his head to ease the pain while glaring daggers at the man that dared treat him so. Dutch came up behind Rio.

"That's not the disposition of an adult. You were a brat once too."

"Then pay me as a baby-sitter. Damn this isn't a joke."

Chime who was up ahead sighed in exasperation.

"Rio."

He ignored her and pushed the boy roughly.

"Hurry up!"

Chime put herself in front of the boy.

"That is enough."

Rio glared at Chime this time and got into the car. Chime gently led the boy into the backseat and belted him in, giving a fond rub on Garcia's head. Rio didn't like what he was seeing.

"What? You gonna treat him nice and get a job at his house?" Benny started driving. "Yeah, you would be better as a house maid instead of a sailor. I can see it now, you wearing a very short skirt with frills around with that weird little hat on top. 'Master, would you like a sugar cube or two?' Surrounded by dozen of other servants and having a dandy ol' time."

Rio meant it to annoy Chime but in his mind the sound of her treating him the master didn't seem such a bad idea. He made himself a mental note that when she lost a bet she would be his maid for a day in such outfit. He was sure he could borrow it from Roan. That sleazy bastard.

The sound of Garcia's voice shook him out of his daydream.

"As I said before, we only have one servant. A butler named Roberto. Even though he's a maid, he's no good at cleaning or chores. He can't even wake up properly in the mornings to wake us up. He's a klutz, but…but…Roberto is a lot stronger than you!"

Garcia shouted the last sentence to Rio. The silence only went for 2 seconds before Rio laughed out loud.

"Of all god-damned things to say! What's he gonna do? Throw a broom at me? If that's true than I'll believe that Jesus blazed across Route 66 in a chopper!"

Chime rolled her eyes with the way Rio was acting. She looked down at Garcia who was glaring at Rio's shoe that was propped up on the driver's seat.

"Have you seen his strength?" Rio stopped laughing, unhappy that nobody laughed with him. Garcia leant his head onto Chime who instantly wrapped her arm protectively around him. Both ignored Rio's growl.

"I haven't. But I remember one thing. We lived on my father's estate. We lived peacefully: Roberto, my father and I. I don't have many friends to play with, so he played with me. I loved to arm wrestle, I could always beat Roberto every time. On that day we were playing that game, the day that they came. To threaten my father. He knew what was going on long before I did. He hardened up as soon as he realized they were coming. I used my usual amount of strength, but…he wouldn't budge, an arm like steel. I haven't realized that Roberto purposely lost. He had a reason to always act like a weak butler. I found out then."

The car was silent. Not knowing what to say, Chime hugged him closer to herself.

"It's still a long ride away, Garcia. You should get a bit more sleep."

Making himself comfortable he lay across her lap falling into slumber as Chime softly rubbed his head back and forth, back and forth, back and forth.