Just a warning that things start getting pretty dark from here. READER'S DISCRETION IS ADVISED.

"Welcome!" Ivan yelled as he showed them into the recruit center. "Thanks to you brilliant kids, you've given us the money necessary to sustain our recruits. Sorry for the inconvenience but everyone must start here." He said stopping in the middle of the floor and turning back to look at him. "I understand that, but do I have to wear this ridiculous outfit?" He asked pinching the side of his cotton pants that looked more like pajamas. "That is also a rule. But to my understanding you are not unaccustomed to ridiculous attire, right Mr. Hood?" He turned around and began to walk away. "Your stay here will be brief. Succeed in one mission and you'll move up in the ranks." He stopped before the exit and looked back. "Just make the best of it. I have plans for you." He said with a wink as he left the room. "Did you just see that?" Jason asked pointing in the direction he exited. "He just fuckin' winked at me!" He lowered his arm and shook his head. "I got a bad feeling about the guy." Jason said crossing his arms. "Why? Because he flirted with you? Because he's one of the top dogs in an association of assassins? Or because he made fun of your giant skull?" Maia said sarcastically as she examined the area. "Helmet, and all of the above...To think we helped fund this place." All around them were teens from the ages 14-23 training. Some where sparring, some were practicing weaponry, and others were learning languages and other educational functions. "Okay, Pretty bird here's the deal. That whole, we have to be here crap, is a big load of bologna. We're here because of you." He said making sure no one heard him snitching. "Me? What'd I do?" Maia asked a little louder than expected. "Hush! It's nothing you did it's something you didn't do. Me, I have a track record all over Gotham. But you, you're a mystery. They don't think you're capable of doing, what it is we do." Maia nodded, they were right after all. "So basically I need to prove I'm a badass? I can do that." Just then she felt a hand grab onto to her backside. "Hey, new girl." He said walking away towards a group of his friends and handing them all high fives. Jason slowly uncrossed his arms. "Did he just..." Maia nodded with her mouth half in anger. "Do you want me to shoot him?" Jason asked slowly moving toward him. She pressed a hand on his chest to stop him. "No, I've got this. Kill two birds with one stone, right." Maia said with a grin as she walked over to an empty sparring area. Jason re-crossed his arms and leaned against a nearby wall, this was going to be good. "Wanna spar, big boy." Maia said stripping from her Hoodie and tossing it to the side. He pointed to himself as a cocky grin grew across his face. "Who else?" Maia asked messaging her fist. "Don't think I'll take it easy on you sweetheart. My name's Aaron by the way, you should pay my dorm a visit sometime." He got into fighting stance, you could tell he was new. "You may throw the first punch." Maia said placing a hand on her hip. "What's that accent? Russian? I like." He threw a blunt punch which she threw to the side. She then thrusted her body up and kicked him in the throat with both of her feet. As her back hit the ground she quickly flipped forward to her feet, grabbed him by the collar, and kneed him in the face. While he was still dazed or shocked she elbowed him in the side of his chin sending him to the ground. As he laid there she kicked him on his side forcing him to rollover on his stomach. "This is the hand you defiled me with is it not?" Maia asked as she raised it behind him. Without waiting for an answer she kicked him at the elbow sending the joint in the wrong direction. "Touch me again, and I won't be as kind as letting you keep your arm." Maia said leaning towards his face as he shrieked in pain. "That ought to do it." Maia said smiling as she dusted her hands off and walked back over to Jason. "You never cease to amaze me." Jason said slow clapping as she halted in front of them. "But I don't see how they're gonna see your damage." He said looking around at the recruits. "Remember this Jason, there's always someone important watching."

"Oooo! Play that back!" Eric said as they watched the footage from the recruitment facility. "This girl, Estelle, is obviously lethal. I don't see where your doubts could possibly be coming from." Eric continued as Nate, their tech expert put the scene on loop. "Plus, she's hotter than combustion reactions." He said biting his bottom lip. "Someone remind me why we let a child into the main corps?" Darren said rolling his eyes. "First of all, Darren, I'm 18. Second of all, I am the brother of Eve." Eric said getting up and stepping close to him. "Show some respect." He said forcing Darren to back down. "Okay gentlemen, that is enough. Nate if you would excuse us." Ivan said separating them. Nate quickly got up, bowed to all the men in the room, and then rushed out. "The Red Hood I like, he's got charisma." Ivan continued as the door shut. "Apparently that's not all you like." Eric muttered as he dropped himself back into his seat. Ivan rolled his eyes and sighed. "But, this Estelle girl. She's just seems like one of his...how do I say this nicely?"
"Bitches?" Eric said with a complete straight face. "I said nicely, didn't I? Anyway, the association is basically capable of learning everything about everyone we meet. But this girl..." he said pointing at the screen. "This girl doesn't exist. No face recognition, no prints, nothing. With the war call being scheduled to go off we can't take any chances with suspicious individuals." Ivan finished lowering his arm and turning towards Percy, who was leaning against the wall silent as usual. "Any input Percy?" Percy looked up at them giving them hostile eyes. "I didn't think so." Ivan said turning back to Darren and Eric. "Fine, send them out on a mission, and then divide them. I'll supervise Estelle and Darren could get her friend." Eric said crossing his fingers over one another. "This is serious, Eric. Can you not be a hormone crazed teenager for just one moment?" Darren snapped as he always did when Eric talked. "What's your problem?" Eric said lifting himself back out of his seat. "You're my problem." Darren sharply replied forcing Ivan back between them. "Alright, cut it out you two or I'll have Eve replace you both. Look, this is a serious problem. We either have us a pair of two very valuable assets or two very dangerous liabilities."

"What do they got to eat around here? I'm starving!" Jason yelled after he flipped yet another recruit on their backs. "Oh gosh, Jason you sound like a three year old." Maia said as he walked back over to their spot. "I'm in a daycare; I might as well play the part." Jason said flailing his arms in the air. "Oh, please Jason your only three years older than me. This is your age range." Jason rolled his eyes. "Doesn't change the fact that I'm hungry." He stood up straight as four men approached them. "There will be plenty for you to eat, where you're going." Ivan said with the side of his lips perked up. "Where are we going?" Jason asked moving in front of Maia. "On your recruitment mission. You see below the head of the association is the body that keeps the head stable. Well, we might have two available slots for new members if this mission goes right." Ivan said looking Jason up and down as if he was making him uncomfortable intentionally. "W-what's the mission?" Jason uttered reaching behind him and grabbing Maia's wrist. "There's a pair of senators in Chile that we want dead. You're going to kill them without leaving physical evidence. Eric and Darren will be accompanying you. Any questions?" Jason looked over to Maia. "She stays with me." He stated tightening his grip on her hand. "Sorry, but you and your mate will have to split ways. Unless, of course she can't handle it." Maia stepped forward and broke her hand from Jason's. "No, I can handle myself and then some." Maia said crossing her arms. "Great, But you're going to have to lose the accent sweetheart." Eric said walking over to greet her. "Done." Maia said converting back to her original accent. "Perfect, how am I supposed to know where you're really from?" Eric asked with a growing grin on his face. "I guess you'll have to wait and learn." Maia said. He bit his bottom lip and looked her up and down. "Careful." She said moving backwards towards Jason. "Last guy who looked at me like that got sent to the infirmary with a broken arm." She said returning to Jason's side. "Oh, I mean no disrespect. You're just quite the specimen." He said holding his hand out and stepping closer. "My name's Eric." She took his hand. "Estelle, nice to meet you." She said taking his hand. "The pleasure's all mine." He said as he leaned down and softly kissed the top of her hand. "That's enough, tough guy." Jason said parting them. "Again, I mean no disrespect. Be ready to leave in thirty minutes everything you need will be on the plane." Eric said descending towards the door with his group. "Jusque-là, mon amour." He added waving to Maia and leaving. "What he just say? Was it something perverted? Can I shoot him?" Maia laughed and wrapped her arms around her overprotective body guard. "He said, 'Until then, my love'. Lighten up on the leash Jason I can take care of myself." She said snuggling up against his chest. "That's what I thought when I tried to go up against the Joker by myself. I'm not gonna let my sidekick carry out that legacy." He said returning the unexpected hug. "Jason, do you think I'm going to have to kill someone?" She asked taking deep breaths. "Let's hope not."

"Your costume is...cute. Didn't take you for a fairytale fan." Eric said after a long staring session. Maia pulled her hood over her head and slumped deeper into her seat. "I'm not." She said crossing her legs and placing a hand at her gun. This guy was about to get a hole in his big toe. "But you're Red Riding Hood right?" She sighed and nodded. "Eric get your head in the game." Darren said emerging from the cockpit. "Your stop is coming up." Eric nodded and motioned for Maia to get ready. She undid her seatbelt and grabbed the parachute under her seat. "Remember..." Darren said sliding the airplane door open. "Your target is Senator Alvarez, kill and vacate! I don't expect any witnesses but if there are...eliminate all trace evidence!" Darren yelled over the air that was rushing into the airplane. "See you down there toots!" Eric yelled saluting her as he let his body fall sideways off the plane. Maia took a deep breath and before she went over was pulled back by Jason. "Come here kid, let me talk to ya." He said pulling her closer by her wrist. "Be careful." He said running his hand through her hair. "Don't die, kay?" She nodded and began backing towards the exit until she reached the edge. "You too." She said before flipping backwards. Darren quickly closed the door and sealed it shut. "Nice kid, you got there." He said standing to his feet and dusting off his hands. "Thanks, I would say the same but you know." The air rushed through Maia's hair as her body plummeted to the ground. She could just forget to pull the string and die leaving the world to fend for itself. But of course that wasn't a real option. Her body jolted upward as her parachute blossomed open. "I thought you'd never make it." Eric said as he unbuckled his bag off his back. She landed lightly on the roof beside him. "Let's just keep this professional, okay pretty boy?" He chuckled and kneeled down to stuff his parachute back into the bag. "Bummer, especially considering recon will be held in a nice comfortable bedroom." She rolled her eyes and threw her bag behind a bush. "We should get going." She said pulling a wire out of her belt. "Stay close." She commanded as she attached one end of the wire to the roof and the other to her belt then plummeted off the side. She carefully trailed down the side of the building pushing her body off the wall with her feet as she reached a lower level. When she reached the window of the room they were doing recon in she placed a small silent explosive by the lock and waited 5 seconds for it to go off when it did she lifted the window up and made her way to it disconnecting her self from the wire. Seconds later Eric was climbing in behind her. "The senator is in the room next door, we wait for Ivan to find a way to make the guards leave him then we assassinate and leave." Maia nodded and leaned against a wall while Eric receded towards the King size bed. "Don't be scared." He said patting the area next to him. "I only bite when asked."

"So what's the deal with these senators?" Jason asked as him and Darren approached his mansion. "I have no idea. Ivan usually keeps stuff like that to himself. But I do know this guy is garbage who rapes women who won't volunteer their bodies to him. I can't wait to see a bullet between his eyes." Darren said as the crept towards the back to avoid guards. "I didn't think you guys were huge on erasing the scum of the world." Jason whispered as Darren began to hack into the security gate. "They may not be but I am. The world wouldn't even have an association like ours if they'd just let guys like us erase the scum, instead of imprisoning them and giving them a shot at escaping." Jason cocked up an eyebrow. "Guys like us?" Jason asked as he watched Darren work. "Yeah, guys like us. Sane men, who value the lives of the innocent and condemn the lives of those who been given way too many chances. Guys like us who work off of good intentions instead of greed." Jason nodded; maybe this association had hope after all. Maybe they were just in need of new leadership. "I'm in." Darren said as the gate opened. "The first bedroom on the second floor." He said as they walked inside the apartment. "We're wearing the guards' attire, so if we act normal it shouldn't be a problem." They walked passed several guards and up the stairs. In front of his bedroom were two guards. "Su falta bajar escaleras." Darren said to the guards. "Vamos a volver a sus puestos." The guards nodded without question and left down the steps. Jason and Darren stood in their post until they were in the clear. "No! I said, No! Get off of me!" As the woman's shrieked seeped into Jason's ears he quickly spun around and kicked the door down. A large man turned towards him still trying to rip the woman's clothes off of her. "Help me!" She yelled before the man slapped her and covered her mouth with his hands. "I told you, no interrupt!" He yelled trying to hold the woman down under him. Jason lifted the gun up. "Let her go." He said tightening his grip on the gun. "Wait,wait. Who are you? I get up, don't kill me." He said stepping off the bed and trying to button his shirt. "Take the Bruja, there's lots more." He said almost bragging. "Come here; get behind me its okay." Jason said holding his hand out to the woman. She slowly got up and walked over to Jason shaking and trying to hold her clothes together. "Get her out of here Darren; they'll think she has something to do with it." Jason said aiming the gun back over to the Senator. Darren nodded and showed her out of their room. "Do you know who I am?" He yelled raising his hands to the side of his head. "I know exactly who you are." Jason said cocking the gun back. "My people will find you then kill you!" He yelled trying to attract attention. "Let them try."

Maia cocked her gun back as she kicked Eric off of her and back onto the bed. "I told you not to touch me." Maia said aiming the gun right between Eric's eyes. "I don't think you understand my position of power." He said grinning and getting up. "You're first underneath Eve; I think I have an understanding." Maia said as Eric shook his finger. "That's true but that's not all. You see, I'm more than just one of Eve's right hand men...I'm her brother." As her eyes widened and her gun hesitantly lowered Eric came closer. "I hear things, important things, things about you." He said pressing his hands against the wall behind her. "They don't trust you; they find you incapable of making the ultimate decision. But I think their wrong about you, your something special." He said into her ear as she put the gun away. "I can take you higher than just a recruit or a private contractor. You could fight right beside me and my sister. It just depends on what you're willing to do for me." He said looking down at her body and lightly tracing his finger over her barely noticeable cleavage. He wasn't exactly vague with what he wanted and Maia needed to get to Eve as quickly and easily as possible. But was she willing to do anything to get there? She didn't have an answer but she let him kiss her neck and wrap his arms around her. "You're going far Estelle." He said spinning her around and leading her to the bed with his lips still attached to her neck. He quickly took off his jacket and laid her back down on the bed. "This won't just be good for me, I promise." He said grinning and throwing a leg on each side of her hips. He began to untie her cape and hood from around her neck. "I have to say red does you justice." He said before plunging his lips back to her's. He kissed her sloppily as he kicked both of his shoes to the side, just like Tim had. She couldn't do this; she wanted Tim not only to be her first but her only. She wanted each time to be special and mean something. But did she really have a choice? "You alright?" Eric asked as he pulled his shirt up and over his head. Play the part Maia. "I'm fine, just nervous." She said placing a hand on his chest. "Don't be, by the time we're done you'll be asking for seconds." He said, grin spreading as he separated her legs and maneuvered himself between them. "I don't see a zipper." He said as he examined her body. She reached to her side and lifted the flap that revealed her zipper. "It's okay, it's going to be great." he said reaching over to undo her zipper. He smiled at her before leaning down and forcing his lips back on her. She kissed him back and squeezed her eyes shut. Just pretend it's Tim, it'll be over quickly. She thought about him as she grabbed the back of his neck to pull him closer. God, did she miss Tim. He pulled away breathless and grinned. "That's more like it." He said before going back to her zipper. "Squad 96, do you copy?" Saved by the walkie talkie. "Damn it." Eric hissed and he picked himself up from her and walked over to his jacket on the floor. "Yes, we copy." Eric said signaling for Maia to get up. She let out a sigh of relief and pulled her zipper back up all the way. "Your target's security will assume there to be a possible threat outside. They will then be locked out of the premises. You have all the time you need." The walkie talkie said before cutting off. Eric tossed the communication device to the side and picked his shirt off of the ground. "We're going to have to reschedule." He said putting his shirt back on. She nodded suddenly unable to speak as she retied her cape around her neck. She felt sick to her stomach. "We're going to have to reschedule." He said sliding his hand past her check and around the back of her neck. "We're going to reschedule, right?" He asked connecting their lips. "Of course." She answered as they parted and he went to put his jacket back on. "Good." He said as noises began to echo outside. "We'll return as soon as the threat is neutralized, just stay put." Maia and Eric stayed against the wall until they heard the noise stop. "Let's go." He said opening the door and leading her into the next room. He checks the hallways for clearance then motions for her to go in. She nods and steps in front of the door. She takes a deep breath then kicks the door down. "Get behind me!" The man yells as they enter the room. Maia's stomach sinks as she realizes he wasn't alone, he had his daughter with her. "Please, I'm begging you. Kill me, leave my daughter alone." Maia swallowed as the quick realization came over her. She couldn't do this. "Damn it." Eric said entering in behind her. "We don't have much time. Kill them!" He yelled. "B-but she's just a ..." Her words trailed off as she watched the little girl cowered behind her Daddy in fear with her gun still pointed in their direction. "Just a what? A child? Good, she hasn't much to live for then." She shook her head, everyone has something to live for. "Fine." He said pointing his gun towards the small family. "But you'll have to make it up to me." He cocked his gun and pulled the trigger. "No!" She said kicking the gun upwards, forcing the bullets to go out the window. She quickly spun around and elbowed him in the face. "The room next door has a window-" he attacked back tackling her to the ground and straddling her. The father took his child and left through a side door. "Stupid bitch!" He yelled punching her in her face. She lifted her legs from behind him and wrapped her feet around his neck then pulled him backwards forcing his back to hit the ground. She stood back up to her feet and pulled a blade from her leg strap. "Do you really want to do this?" He asked standing back to his feet. "I don't want to do anything." She said putting both her hands up with one holding the knife sideways. "So be it." He quickly tossed two knives from his jacket which Maia barely dodged. He threw another dagger which only sliced the side of her cheek. The sudden stinging forced Maia's body to do something she loathed, heal. Eric's entire demeanor changed. "You're...You're..." His vision cleared as the necklace's spell broke. "Death stroke's daughter." Maia took a large gulp and strengthened her stance. "No. My father name was John." she said before launching an attack against him.

"So let me get this straight, the guy ended up shooting himself?" Jason said barely able to hold back his laughter. "Right between the legs. We ended up letting him live." Darren said taking a huge bite out of his chicken leg. "Seemed like he'd die of embarrassment anyway." Jason let his laughs flow out. Darren didn't seem like the assassin type. "Hey can I ask you something?" Darren asked Jason as Jason stuffed his mouth with rice. Jason nodded unable to speak with the food in his mouth. "What got you into this line of work? You seem like a nice guy." Darren continued passing Jason his bottle of water. Jason drunk a huge sip from the bottle of water and washed the stray grains of rice down his throat. "I don't have a straight answer to that." Jason said as the lightness in the room began to fade. "Come on, man. There has to be something, like your family being murdered or daddy issues." Jason still cringed at the word "Dad" whenever someone said it and he took a deep breath. "I'm no one's son. I guess I just went down a road that I tried to avoid as a child. But some things are just...inevitable." Jason said taking a drink of his water. "What about you?" He asked screwing the top to the bottle back on. "I was born into this, my father was a psychopath and my mother was an assassin. After my mother died I followed her path into the association. I guess that's something we have in common, going down inevitable roads." Darren said setting his food down. "That and our great taste in food." Jason said forcing a laugh out of Darren, his new friend. Darren laughed as his walkie talkie went off. "Darren you there?" Darren picked up the walkie. "Yeah I'm still here." He said with laughter still in his voice. "Darren you are in danger. Your partner's a traitor." Well, that friendship was short lived. Darren's head immediately shot up and he attacked, not asking questions, just obeying. Jason dodged his hits and managed to get a knee to his stomach. Darren sparked back up threw a side kick and punched Jason in his face throwing him back a bit. "You traitor!" he growled charging towards him. Before he could make contact Jason two stepped to the side and rammed his head into the wall of the plane. "I'm not a traitor, I was never with you." He said grabbing a parachute and leaping off the plane with his deuces up. By the time Darren got up Jason was gone. He spoke into his comm., "Where the hell is his bitch!" He hissed irritated from Jason's escape. "She's here; we have her waiting for your...special interrogation." A smile grew across his face as he closed the plane door. "I'm on my way."