Note: While writing the chapter "Explosions", I realized that I was advancing the story way too fast without giving any kind of premonitions or background as to what's happening. Also, I felt that I was skipping my main point of this story (the relationship between Bradley and Claes) and turning it into something else.

As an amateur writer (and a mild perfectionist), I can't allow this to happen…

Important note #2 (7/5/2006): I've been contemplating this for several days, and I have finally concluded that the direction I was headed with this story was completely off, and wrong. Most of the time, a writer NEVER plans out his story, only the beginning, any plot twists, and endings are set into stone, and everything else in the middle is made up along the way (Author of the Harry Potter series, J.K. Rowling uses this strategy). Usually, this is beneficial, as it makes for an interesting read. However, in rare instances, it fails… BADLY. Chapters 7-12 were victims of that rare occurrence.

You see, before writing past chapter one, I had the timeline of the story neatly laid out on a note card. But, following my own advice, I didn't pay any attention to it, and instead, made something up along the way. Then, I wrote Chapter 12… and was stuck. I realized that I was centering the entire story on Bradley and not the Bradley/Claes relationship that this story was supposed to be. It was also never supposed to be a R.O.D. cross-over; only references were to be made.

I decided to start anew where I began to trail off: Chapter six.

To all the old readers: Welcome to the new and (in my opinion) improved Life, Liberty, And…

To new readers and to those who adored where the original "LLA" was headed: The original chapters (including the completed-but-not-posted chapters) will be uploaded once the true story ends.

This chapter is almost intact, since this is where I began to stray. If you don't want to read it, basically Rei was never supposed to get pregnant which leads to the visit to Japan.


"You know," Bradley spoke to Beneditto, "You just messed up back there."

"How so, General?" The man asked.

"You gave me you're real name…," Bradley smiled, "If I were working for the P.R.F. you'd be dead riiiiight now."

"Shit…," Beneditto sighed, "There I go with my big mouth again..."

Life, Liberty, And…

A Gunslinger Girl fan fiction by:

Sintendo

Chapter Six: Explosions

Social Welfare Agency: Claes and Triela's Room, Rome, Italy; 1200 hours, July 3, 2005

"Aren't you excited?" Triela asked. She was busy sewing new clothes for her bears, preparing them for the upcoming autumn. It was a hassle for her to change her bears' clothes every season, but she wanted to keep up with the fashion trends she read about in magazines that Hillshire bought her every so often.

Claes didn't bother to look at her companion as she responded; her nose deeply buried within some sort of science fiction novel that she read several times beforehand.

"Not really," The girl was nonchalant, "Why should I be?"

"It's the first time you're going outside the Agency on leisure time," Triela took extra care not to mention the past antics of Raballo so that Claes wouldn't suffer from some sort of mental trauma, "And you aren't the least bit excited?"

"Brad is just taking me to a book store," Claes yawned, "And then we're going to the airport to pick up Miss Ayanami. It's not like we're going to paint the town red, or something."

"You're such a bookworm, you know that?"

"Hush, I'm reading."

"When are you ever not reading?" Triela asked as knocks simultaneously came from the door, "Don't bother getting up, I'll answer it."

Triela opened the door to reveal Bradley as the visitor. Instantly the girl stood at attention and saluted; an action that partly sickened, partly impressed, and partly annoyed The General.

"Please," Bradley said, "Never salute to me again. I don't allow Claes to do it, and neither should any of you children. Just act like I'm your uncle or something."

Triela lowered her hand; a confused look was on her face, "I wouldn't know how to act, General, since I've never had an uncle."

"Right…," Bradley thought for a bit, "Then maybe you could act like I'm Hillshire?"

"Trust me, General, you wouldn't like it." Triela appeared as though she were about to vomit.

"You don't like Hillshire, eh?" He thought for another moment, "Well fine, just pretend that I'm one of you guys."

Triela was now annoyed at Bradley's lame attempts to befriend her, yet she decided to play along.

"Whatever," The girl rolled her eyes; she was unable to hide her smile, "Come on in, boy, and help me sew these clothes for my bears."

"That's the spirit!" Bradley laughed, following the girl into her room, "I'm not very good at sewing, but I'll see what I can do."

"Don't bother, Brad, she'll just boot you out when she's done using you," Claes sat up from her bed, "You can never trust blonde girls, especially the tanned variety."

Triela retaliated by throwing a handful of cloth at Claes' face, "Go back to reading, bookworm, I'm going to borrow The General for a bit."

"Sorry to disappoint you, but Brad and I are on a tight schedule," She casually jumped from her bed and onto the floor, "Let's go, sir, before she puts a spell on you."

"Hold on for a minute, Claes," Bradley said, "Triela, you seem to be the leader amongst the children here, so I was hoping that you could do me a little favor?"

"What is it, sir?"

"Claes, you're gonna have to keep this a secret as well…"

Rome Fiumicino Leonardo Da Vinci Airport, Rome, Italy; 1400 hours, Same Day

Sitting at a table in front of the same Café that Jose and Henrietta sat just weeks earlier, Claes was once again buried in one of the many books that Bradley bought her in their trip to the nearby bookstore. 15 minutes (and the fact that Bradley was willing to spend as much as she required) was all it took for the girl to run amongst the shelves and pick out the books that she wanted, or rather, books that she needed to read.

Orwell, Hemmingway, Shakespeare, Tzu, Buck, Card; these were but a handful of the authors that Claes used to fantasize about, wishing that one day she would be able to read even one of their many titles. And now her dream was a reality.

Bradley pondered over the character of his partner. In essence, the girl was a true bibliophile, an absolute lover of anything that can be read. Sipping his cup of tea, he took a gander at her, realizing that Claes reminded him of a certain other bibliophile that he read about, glasses and all….

Seemingly out of nowhere, a familiar voice called out to him, breaking his train of thought in the process. He recognized his soon-to-be Daughter-in-law as she dragged a pair of rather heavy looking suit cases behind her. He quickly ran to her assistance.

"It's great to see you again, Rei," was the first thing that was said between them, "How was California?"

"It's great to see you again as well, Sir," Rei gave Bradley a tight hug; a strange sight for Claes to behold, considering that she only knew the both of them to be hardworking military personnel "California was awesome as always. Its shame I had to leave it."

Bradley sighed, "Duty calls," He took her bags from her hands, "Come on, we're heading back before there's any traffic.

On the road to the SWA, Rome, Italy; 1430 hours, Same Day

Claes sat quietly in the rear passenger seat of the vehicle, reading one of her new books, and ignoring the meaningless adult chatter coming from Bradley and Rei's mouths. It wasn't until her name was mentioned that she lifted her attention away from her book.

"So why'd you bring Claes with you?" Rei asked Bradley.

Claes' ears began to feel warm.

"I just thought she'd like to spend some time away from the Agency," Braldey nearly sighed, "She's been working hard, and I thought that she earned a break."

"Oh," Rei said, "I see that you went to the bookstore; seems appropriate for her, I guess."

"Eh," Bradley shrugged, "It's what she wanted."

Rei truend around from her seat, and asked Claes, "You like to read?"

Claes gave a slight nod.

"I don't really like reading." Rei said, returning to her original position.

Bradley shrugged again, "It's her way of relaxing. She's only human, after all."

Claes' ears were now in flames.

Social Welfare Agency: Cyborg Dormitory, Rome, Italy; 1600 hours, Same Day

"I'm grateful for the books you purchased for me today, sir." Claes said as Bradley escorted her back to her room; they had already dropped Rei off at her quarters.

"I didn't buy them," He began, "It was your money, so technically you bought them yourself."

Claes thought for a moment, "Well then, thank you for the ride to the store." She smiled to herself.

"Now there's a rare sight." Bradley commented on her expression.

"Ahem," Claes quickly covered her mouth, "I'm not a ghoul, you know."

"Well you should smile more often. It's very becoming of you."

"Please, flattery will do you no good."

Upon reaching her room, Claes knocked on the door, a rule that she and Triela made so as not to disturb each other while doing something private.

"Who is it?" Triela called from inside.

"I'm back," Claes responded, "Hurry up and let me in. These things are heavy."

"Yeah, yeah , yeah," Triela groaned, "What'd you get me?"

"Some books," Claes said as her roommate opened the door, "You should try reading this. I think it describes your relationship with Hillshire with great accuracy." She shoved a book into Triela's face.

"Lolita," Triela read aloud, "By Vladimir Nabokov…"

Bradley shook his head, realizing what Claes was hinting at.

"I'll read it later." Triela returned to her coffee table and tossed the book aside.

"That reminds me," Bradley still stood at the doorway, "Did you do that little favor for me?"

"I got the Snipers from the 95th to comply," She was referring to the battalion that just arrived from the U.S., "And some of the MPs and off-duty agents are willing to give a hand. Also that stupid Nacho overheard me while I was talking to Amadeo and he wants in on the plan. They're ready whenever you are…boy." She grinned.

"Excellent," Bradley rubbed his hands together, "And now for the coup de grace… Triela? Claes? Would you like to company me while I retrieve to goods?"

"I'd rather stay here and read, sir," Claes was already laying belly-side down on her bed, "If you don't mind, that is."

"I'll go sir," Triela said, "Hillshire is out of town on business, so he won't be a bother."

"Good. Let's go get Nacho… and some snacks as well. It's a long drive to Naples, so it's good to be prepared," Bradley turned to his partner, "I have something planned for tomorrow after P.T.; so don't stay up too late." He knew that the cyborgs didn't require much sleep, but he wanted Claes to develop good habits.

"Yes, sir." Claes mock saluted him by using only two fingers.

"See you tomorrow then."

Social Welfare Agency: Training Grounds, Rome, Italy; 0800 hours, July 4, 2005

"So what do you have planned for today, Brad?" Claes asked as she stripped a clip of 9mm paint rounds into one of the magazines for her H&K MP5 sub-machinegun.

"Well," Bradley started, "I was planning for you and I to run the obstacle course with full tactical gear equipped, but I found out that this building is also an excellent Hogan's alley."

The both of them stood in front of the same bullet-riddled building that the other Fratello used for their "exhibition" a month earlier.

"Piece of cake." Claes said as she finished topping off the last of her supplied magazines. She loaded her firearm with a fresh magazine and chambered a round.

"Woah there, cowgirl," Bradley waved a finger in her face, "Don't be in such a rush. I didn't even tell you the plan yet."

"I thought the plan was for me to go in there and get rid of all the targets?"

"Being the lone wolf is not always a good thing, Claes," Bradley said, "I want to get this mentality into your head as soon as possible, lest you become some sort of a loner. I want you to be prepared for any situation, especially the ones that you would never expect."

"So you're running the course with me as well?"

"Not only that, but for the first few runs I'll be the leader so that you can have an idea as to what a real tactical situation calls for. Our goal is to reach the heli-pad on the roof in as little time as possible. I already asked Jose and Ferro to program the targets to attack and return fire using paint rounds, so be ready. I'm hoping to have a go at this thing at least 5 times today and have a time of less than 10 minutes. Furthermore, this will be a silent exercise, which means no talking until the exercise is completed, you understand?"

"Not really, sir," She rechecked her equipment, "Why a silent run?"

"Talking is a luxury when in a combat zone. Any kind of sound will alert your enemy to your position, which obviously leads to a firefight; something that you want to avoid at all times. Just recall everything you learned up to now. You still remember all the hand-signals right?"

"Yes I do."

"Ready to go?" Bradley asked his partner.

"'Course I am," Claes replied as she tightened the laces on her boots, "How about you? Seeing the way you were running earlier makes me think you should sit this one out."

Bradley clutched his chest, "Ouch!" He laughed, "I'll be fine, so don't you worry about me too much. Just follow my lead, and make sure you don't fall behind."

"I guess so," She adjusted her bare-fingered leather gloves, "Before we start, though, may I ask one last question?"

"Go ahead."

"Do you think I'm ready for this?"

Bradley didn't even have to think about an answer, "That's something for you to decide, and for me to find out."

"Ok, General," Ferro's voice came from loudspeakers planted on the exterior of the building, "Everything's set to go. Jose and I are just waiting for your word."

"Any doubts left in your mind, Claes?" Bradley asked her, "Because if there is, this is your last chance to bail out."

The girl didn't answer.

"Allright the, just follow my lead."

Satisfied, Bradley signaled a thumbs-up to the nearest security camera, and indication that both he and Claes were ready.

"Time starts now." Ferro said, unleashing the pair of combatants.

Social Welfare Agency: Training Grounds, Rome, Italy; 1245 hours, Same Day

"Good job, sir, this is your fastest run so far," Jose spoke to his superior through a microphone, "Round number 3: 35 kills, 24 wounded. You time is 15 minutes 43 seconds."

Bradley nodded his head, knowing that Jose could see him through security cameras.

"All right, sir, I'll have Henrietta reset all the targets."

Satisfied with the statistics that were reported to him, Bradley sat upon the concrete floor, taking a deep breath as he did so. He studied his partner/student as she paced back and forth, appearing as anxious as ever to resume training. But then, something odd caught Bradley's attention; something about the way she walked.

"Claes," Bradley said, "Are you okay?"

This was the first time in hours that Bradley had spoken to her.

"I'm fine." She casually replied.

"Don't lie to me," He motioned for her to stand next to him, "Come over here and let me see your left foot."

Sighing to herself, she complied with his orders; standing next to her partner and holding up her left leg. Bradley took hold of her foot and began inspecting it, noting that it was about half a size smaller than what she needed.

"These boots are way too small. Why didn't you tell me?"

"It really isn't a problem, sir," She tried to take her leg back from the man; "I'll just go to the hospital later to check it out."

"No," Bradley motioned for the girl to sit, "Get down here and let me take a closer look."

"I don't see the point, Brad. Doctor Bianchi can easily repair any damage I take."

"I refuse to allow you to take any more of that god forsaken drug, Claes. Not a single drop."

"It helps me to heal faster."

"No it does not," Bradley nearly growled, "What it does is make you depend on it, and not on your own abilities. Now sit down before I make you."

"Yes, sir." She hissed. She sat across from him and placed her left foot on his lap.

Bradley removed her boot, "See this?" He pointed to a red, half-swollen area near the root of her big toe, "Keep wearing these boots, and this could turn into a bunion over time. Eventually it'll be painful to walk even without shoes or boots on. You'll soon be in a leadership position, so I don't want you to hurt yourself." He started to massage her foot.

"What are you doing?" She asked.

"My daughters love to dance," He began, "Those dancing shoes are really a pain for them. I do this after every one of their lessons so that they can go to sleep at night."

"General," Henrietta interrupted from the roof-access stairway, "I've reset all the targets."

"Excellent work, Henrietta," He praised her; "I think this is a good time for a break, so go tell Jose and Ferro. Also, have Jose fetch a pair of size 5 boots for Claes."

"Yes sir." Henrietta quickly saluted and disappeared, leaving Bradley and Claes alone once again.

"Mmm…" Claes fell to her back and rested on the floor, a combination of both fatigue on her lower back, and pleasure from her foot caused her to do so.

"Maybe I should have Olga give you ballet lessons." Bradley joked.

"You must be kidding," Claes said, "She's Russian; she'll work me to death. Besides, I'd much rather read during my free time."

"Aww come on," Bradley urged her on; "It won't hurt to have at least one extracurricular activity."

"I tend to my garden 4 times a week." She replied as-a-matter-of-factly.

"What about between those times?"

"Well I do play the Piano, but I don't think I'm any good."

"I'm sure you are," Bradley reassured her, "You'll have to play for me one day. What else do you do for fun?"

"Sometimes I paint. You know the usual stuff like the surrounding scenery, trees, birds, and etcetera."

"You like to read a lot," Bradley said, "You like to write as well?"

Bradley could tell that she was blushing. It was a few moments before she answered.

"…Sometimes I write… fan fictions."

"Oh god…" Bradley joked. Claes hoisted herself with her elbows, shooting a piercing glare at him.

"I'm just kidding! Writing is a good way to expand your vocabulary."

Claes grunted, not knowing whether he was joking with the last statement or not. She returned to the floor, continuing to enjoy the free massage.

"Don't you have any other interests? Learning another language, perhaps? Want to learn how to play another instrument? I could have my son send a guitar and training manuals from home. Learn Japanese and how to play guitar at the same time, ya know?"

"No thanks." She silently wished for him to stop talking so that she could bask in the sun and enjoy the foot massage.

Bradley shook his head. He gave up trying to persuade her to take in another activity. "You're weird, you know that?"

"Not as weird as you, sir."

"That reminds me. I hope you aren't too busy reading tonight. I have something special planned for you and the rest of the agency."

"Oh?" Claes wondered, "What's this plan of yours consist, sir?"

"You'll see," He said with a smile, "Just make sure you aren't busy around 9 o'clock."

Social Welfare Agency: Claes and Triela's Room, Rome, Italy; 2130 hours, Same Day

"And thus another story is completed." Claes happily closed a novel that she just finished reading. The sci-fi title War of the Worlds wasn't really her kind of story, yet she enjoyed every minute of it just like the rest of her collection.

She leaped off her bed and onto the floor, taking extra care not to make much noise for the sleeping…

"Triela?" She noticed that her roommate's bed was completely empty. As if Triela pressed herself flat against the bed, Claes pushed Triela's bed sheets out of the way to reveal nothing.

"Odd…," Claes straightened the sheets, as well her herself, "Oh well, more quiet time for me… unless this has something to do with what Brad was planning."

Sudden knocking came from her door, "Claes," Bradley called, "May I come in?"

"Speak of the devil…," Claes thought, "Come in."

Bradley entered the room with a gigantic smile pasted on his face. It was his trademark smile; a stupid looking, yet at the same time, a charming grin. Claes' ill thoughts disappeared as soon as she saw that smile.

"Hey there," Bradley began, "Are you ready to go?"

"Go?" Claes wondered, "Go where?"

"Come on," He took hold of her hand, "Everyone's already there."

"Wait a minute!" she struggled to stay upright as her partner dragged her out of the room, "Everyone's already where? Brad! What are you doing?"

As soon as she finished her sentence, she was shoved into the passenger seat of Brad's SUV.

"Where are we going?" She asked as he sat at the helm, "This better be good."

"Trust me, you'll love it." He started his vehicle and sped away from the Agency parking lot and toward the training grounds' outdoor firing range.

Claes shook her head. She was angry that she wasn't receiving a clear answer from Brad. Angry that she wasn't able to start a new book. Angry that she was literally dragged out of her room. Yet she wasn't directly angry at Bradley. His childish antics amused her, calming her every time he did something silly.

After a few minutes of driving, they came across what appeared to be--

"A festival?" Claes stared in awe at the red, white, and blue decorations. She noticed that about 50 or so people were scattered about the firing range. Some were gathered around what looked like a table filled with food; others were lounging about and chatting amongst themselves. She even spotted her fellow cyborgs; each one of them smiling and enjoying the company of each other. Even the normally glum Angelica was laughing as she spoke with Rei.

"Actually we Americans hardly use the word 'fesitval' anymore," Bradley parked his SUV a few yards away from the crowd; "It's a party."

"Party?" Claes exited the car, "Party for what?"

"Hold on," He checked his watch, "And the display begins…now!"

Claes was startled by a heart stopping thud heard in the distance. Directly ahead of the bullet-stopping sand dune, a flare shot straight into the sky. The girl followed the flare until it exploded into a rainbow of bright and vibrant colors. Seconds later another flare shot into the air, and then another, each followed by a burst of flower shaped explosions. Soon a barrage of flares and explosions of every color of the spectrum filled the sky.

"Well?" Bradley stood next to his partner, "How do you like it?"

"It's…," She was unable to move her eyes away from the sight, "It's amazing. What's all this for anyways?"

"Claes," He patted her head, "Show me that I didn't waste my time on this Independence Day. The next few months will be an upward struggle. Today's exercise was nothing compared to what's coming up."

"I'm ready for anything, sir."

"Excellent," he said, "Happy 4th of July Claes."

End chapter Six