Solution's Resolution

by ElfenMagix

Two new additions from New York City, USA, deal with personal issues and a new life with the SWA.

37. Chapter 37

Gunslinger Girl is not (c) to me

This story uses characters and locations based on Gunslinger Girl, additional story elements and characters are (c) to me- ElfenMagix.

---

Solution's Resolution

Chapter 37: An Explanation to Everything, It Seems.

Ferro explains to Hillshire of an intercepted email Fernando sent to his CIA Supervisor-John G., explain why his god-daughter is with him and what has happened to her. The email was never relayed to John G., as it is being held the send mail queue as suspicious material, awaiting for a super-admin's authorization. Hillshire reads from the printed transcript of the email in question. They continue with their discussion with their cyborgs besides them.

Hillshire: Does not seem like much. Just of what has happened to her.

Ferro: Just the fact alone that she is here and been through the conversion process is more than enough.

Hillshire: Only danger I see is if he would return to America with her and they kidnap her for their research. Fernando is over protective of his little girl.

Ferro: And so are we of our technology.

Hillshire: Is the SWA capable of returning Rachel back to what she was?

Ferro: Why are you siding with him? He sent secret information about the program to another non-Italian agency, and has conducted in the activity of international espionage. You know what the rules are to this.

Hillshire: Then lets put him to a test.

Ferro: What kind of test?

Hillshire: The mission itself. Set it up for failure, and see how he will react to it.

Ferro: And what will that prove?

Hillshire: If he is willing to go through the mission to its end and make it pass, then this email is moot, as in it was just him explaining why his little girl is with him.

Ferro: And if he doesn't?

Hillshire: Then he would have to fail, and takes it as an opportunity to run. Then we would go after him. Fair?

Ferro: For now, yes. The chief wants us to keep an eye on him.

Hillshire: Well, I hope your suspicions are wrong.

Ferro: I'll have the others shadow you two around while you two are on your outing.

Hillshire: That wont be necessary.

Ferro: You think you and Triela can take him on? As I remember, he took her out on the Paint Ball Practice Run under the first minute of play.

Hillshire: I can assure you that Triela learnt her lesson.

Triela: Ahem!

Ferro: Well, you two go wash up and get ready for your little date.

Hillshire: See you later then.

Hillshire starts to walk away, though Triela waits a couple of seconds longer with Claes, as if sending a telepathic message to each other. Hillshire stops after taking a few steps, turning around to call to Triela.

Hillshire: Triela- Lets go!

Triela nods at Claes before answer to Hillshire.

Triela: Coming!

She starts to trot to get back to Hillshire as fast as possible. Hillshire continues on his pace.

Hillshire: You are to be within the sound of my voice at all time.

Triela: I was.

Hillshire: You are not to fire at Fernando or Rachel unless ordered to.

Triela: Then maybe you should raise my level of conditioning.

They continued on their way to the dorms.

The only thing that stopped Triela from firing her weapon at Rachel in the first place was her conditioning to not shoot another person within the confines of the SWA compound unless it is in self defense or in the defense of others where she or others were shot at first. This is the same reason why Rachel did not fired up Claes. Claes did not fired upon Fernando because the order violated that conditioning rule, though the rule can be overridden, the override was not invoked. If this would have happened outside of the compound, things would have different. The records do show of cyborg going against cyborg and handler in the 'Fratello On The Run' mission involving the Jose/Henrietta team going after the runaway Ernesto/Pia team And with the 'Elsa di Sica Incident' involving Elsa going aginst her handler Lauro.

As the Triela and Hillshire leaves, Ferro tells Claes continue with her practice run, and to clean up and leave to her dorm when done. She were to have the rest of the day off unless Ferro had other things for her to do, though Claes has prepare for the mission, which means cleaning of her weapon and preparing the ammunitions for it. All other things in Claes' life will be put on hold for the moment.

Fernando sends Rachel to her dorm room while he went to the administrative offices to retrieve his mail. He tells her to go clean up her mission weapon and prepare her ammunition clips for the mission at hand before attending to personal matters of washing up to get rid of the scent of gunpowder. There was a package there as Hillshire stated, but also a bubble pack containing several letters within. He takes them to his room.

Once in his room, he places the packages and places them on his desk. The mission gun, magazines, spent casings and left over ammunition is placed on the table. He walks over to his gun locker, opens it and takes out the cleaning kit for the weapon. He begins to dismantle his weapon, taking his time with it. Down the hall, Rachel was doing the same thing with hers, but at much faster pace. She was already assembling the gun, oiling each piece as they are fitted together, when Fernando had placed the last piece of his dismantled unit on the table. She wipes her hands on a rag to free them of oil, then the gun before testing it with a couple of dry shots and sliding of the moving parts. She put the gun on the table as she then tends to the empty magazines, filling them with 10 hollow-point rounds each. She was done in a very short amount of time.

After locking the gun and ammunitions in her weapons locker, Rachel takes to the bathroom with her personal belongings for a long hot shower. Triela begins to clean up her weapon, taking her time doing so, as if waiting for Claes to return.

Fernando finishes his weapon's and ammunition needs almost 1/2 an hour later, putting everything into his weapons' locker. He soon strips down to bare skin as he steps into his room's bathroom, and takes a shower himself. Wanting, but not getting the attention she needed, Meeshie takes to his shoes and starts chewing on the laces and clawing at the leather.

Fernando steps out of the bathroom in t-shirt and briefs, wiping his hair down with a towel. He momentarily steps into his closet and pulls out a more fancier set of clothes. He takes a swipe of deodorant and a couple of dashes of his Drakkar Noir cologne. He puts on his pants as the rest of the clothes goes onto the bed, and sits down next to them. The socks come on next, where he finds Meeshie at her worse against his shoes.

Fernando: MEESHIE!

The cat freezes in place in mid attack of his shoe, with claws embedded into the leather and a mouth full laces.

Fernando: MEESHIE! STOP THAT!

Fernando gives the side of the bed a hard slap. The cat jumps up to let go of her attack and runs under the bed. Fernando picks up the shoe, finding it with moderate claw damage. He drops it, and goes for another pair.

Fernando: You and I are going to have a talk about this…

A voice come from the door, it was Ferro.

Ferro: Talk about what?

Fernando: What are you doing here?

Ferro: Didn't you just say that 'you and I are going to talk about this'?

Fernando: I was talking to Meeshie. She clawed up another pair of expensive shoes.

Fernando picks up the shoe and hands it over to Ferro. She refuses to take it. Instead she reaches for the light switch and turns on the light.

Ferro: And you said that she totally respects you.

Fernando: It has to be the shoe or the smell of its leather or something. She does not do this with the other ones.

Ferro: I see.

After a bit of silence between the two.

Fernando: What brings you here? Apologizing for sic'ing Claes on me?

Ferro: No.

She looks about his room quickly. He puts on the other shoes and then shirt which he takes his time to button up..

Fernando: Then what is it.

Ferro: I see you got your parcels.

Fernando: Ferro, don't give me the Jekyll and Hyde routine. What the fuck is going on?

Ferro: Cursing? Is that how you treat a lady?

Fernando: With all things being equal, you are no lady. A woman yes, but not a lady. Now tell me, what's going on.

Ferro: Just checking up on you.

Fernando: Want to put your hand on my neck, check for a pulse?

Ferro: No.

Fernando: Why did you sic Claes on me?

Ferro: You don't need to know that. For now, I'm letting you know that we are keeping an eye on you until further notice.

Fernando: Why don't you pull me out of the mission then, suspend me one more time for something I do not know I did. Maybe I should pack and give up this cloak and dagger life.

Ferro: Maybe you should.

Fernando: But I cant.

Ferro: And why not?

Fernando: Because you people turned my little girl into a cyborg, and from that she needs things from you that I can not give unless I am part of the organization.

Ferro: So, I see. Then we'll dismantle her.

Fernando: And I'll kill you and everyone else involved.

Ferro: Why? For the love of a cyborg? Are you two sexually involved or something?

Fernando: How many times must I tell you that our relationship goes beyond this agency- it was created long before I dare say this place was created, that I adopted her into my life and she has been inseparable from me since. That she is part of my life, before, during and after she became a cyborg. And she will always be part of my life even though our lives have changed, we have adopted to those changes. As far as relationships are concerned, that is more than most would give to another.

Ferro: So, you would do anything for her? Would you die for her?

Fernando: I would kill for her. Lets leave it at that.

Ferro: We will need to talk more on this on a future date.

Fernando: Why?

Ferro: There are some missions we have that cyborgs are sent unarmed to be targets which would be kidnapped by terrorists. Then we have to rescue them before deadlines of their demands are met.

Fernando: And, you're saying?

Ferro: We may need Rachel in one or more of those missions.

Fernando: Then we will do as we must.

Ferro: She will do as she is ordered. You will be kept out of the loop.

Fernando: So, I'll be waiting like some expecting father for his baby to arrive. OK. I'll assume that you are telling me this because this is going to happen soon and that she has to be prepared for it…

Ferro: She has to be prepared for anything and everything, including the unexpected.

Fernando: Is that all?

Ferro: There will be more.

Fernando: I see. Just one question.

Ferro: What is it?

Fernando: You expecting trouble from this outting I'm going to have?

Ferro: No.

Fernando: Is it still open?

Ferro: Yes, but you said to ask just one question.

Fernando: There will always be more questions, it depends on how they are answered.

Ferro: Fine then. May I have a seat?

Fernando point to his seat by the desk. As she walks to it, he quickly stuffs his shirt into his pants and fastens his belt. With his feet, he kicks up his shoes to catch into his hands. As she sits on his desk chair, she spins to his direction where she sees him more fit to dress other than having his shoes in his hands.

Ferro: That was fast.

Fernando: What?

Ferro: Fixing yourself up in the few seconds I was taking to your chair.

Fernando: I do have to get dressed for the outting.

Ferro: Most men would take about a minute to do that. You did it in just a couple of seconds.

Fernando: So? I'm not most men.

Ferro: Hmmm…

Fernando: So, what is it?

Ferro: What is what?

Fernando: It seems to me that you want to tell me something. I'm just asking what it is that you want? Why else ask for a seat for an extended stay?

Ferro: Oh that.

Fernando: Seems to me that you are preoccupied with other things.

Ferro: You may say that.

Fernando: Am I one of those things?

Ferro: You are all of those things.

Fernando: I see. Hmph…

Ferro: Don't get me wrong, I have no feeling for you. Well, perhaps a wonderment of sorts.

Fernando: Wonderment?

Ferro: Why would a man do something that goes against everything that he has been told to do.

Fernando: Because we're men, and we are stupid in that way. (Ferro laughs lightly at the comment.) How does that applies to me?

Ferro: That is what I'm trying to figure out. Tell me, are you happy here?

Fernando: I gave you my answer to that a long time ago.

Ferro: I know- keep Rachel happy and you will be happy. But seriously, what about you? Have wants and needs to be fulfilled? Got desires that have to be met?

Fernando: No.

Ferro: What about… sex?

Fernando: No.

Ferro: The want of the touch of a woman against you?

Fernando: Nobody here is worth it.

Ferro: You dare put yourself that high in esteem?

Fernando: That's right. And you or anyone else will not take me down from that level.

Ferro: Tell me, about the woman you were married too.

Fernando: Why?

Ferro: I want to know you for who you are. And to know you, I have to know who she was.

Fernando: Again, why?

Ferro: Records and Dossiers can only go but so far. Now, if somebody gave her life for you, that has to be some level of trust that only she and nobody else had obtained.

Fernando: And yet you don't trust me…

Ferro: Maybe I do. But how far remains to be seen. Tell me- how did she see or know Rachel?

Fernando: Who, Catherine?

Ferro: So, that's her name? Catherine… hmmm… a name of British royalty. And you're in the bloodlines of the Spanish Royal Family. Interesting connection there.

Fernando: Our blood lines have nothing to do with the relationship we once had.

Ferro: Once had… hmmm… was she happy with you?

Fernando: Don't ask. Look, I want to be left alone if you don't mind.

Ferro: Looks like I touched upon a nerve.

Fernando: You touched on more than just a nerve. Now, if you don't mind, my cyborg and I have a date with Hillshire and Triela.

Fernando puts on his shoulder holster and the jacket over it. He reaches into his pillow and pulls out his AA .45 from underneath it. He puts the gun into his holster. One last check around his room, he passes by his gun locker and takes an extra .45 magazine clip from the shelf, stuffing it into his pocket. He then steps up to the door.

Fernando: You going to stay in there and search my room?

Ferro gets up out of the seat and walks out the room. Fernando steps out after her and closes the room door, locking it. Ferro waited for him to walk so she could be right beside him when he does. Fernando, conscious of his personal space, makes sure that there was more than enough tile's space in between them. After a couple of steps, Ferro tries to continue the conversation.

Ferro: I want you to go see Claes before you go check on your god daughter.

Fernando: What for?

Ferro: I want you to forgive her.

Fernando stops walking. Ferro also stops and turns to him.

Fernando: Why?

Ferro: For following my orders.

Fernando: She did not followed your orders for one. Two- the apology should be coming from you and not her. Her conditioned response only forces her into a situation she not need to do.

Ferro: Well, I want what ever it is that you two have to continue since I notice that she is a more cheerful cyborg when she has things to do- like caring for your cat.

Fernando: And if I refuse?

Ferro: Then we will have to deal with an upset cyborg, and I will have to deal with you.

Fernando: Sounds like a threat… So lets deal with you. Why did you sic your cyborg on me?

Ferro: I would not be lying if I said it was agency orders.

Fernando: But they were not agency orders, though they maybe an agency directive or recommendation. They were of your own choosing to implement and follow through. Well guess what- what little trust we may have had, you just now lost. And until you are truthful with me, I will not follow any orders given by you or anyone else in this crap hole of a government institution.

Fernando starts walk down the hall, ignoring what Ferro has to say to him.

Ferro: I am your immediate supervisor and you are to follow what orders I give you! Do you understand?!

Fernando refuses to answer as he continues to walk down the hall. She stays in step just a couple of feet behind him. She stops at the stair case, and watches his every move, as he passes Claes' room and stops by Rachel's door. He knocks on it with two taps before opening the door and walking in. The door closes behind him.

Ferro waits for a while by the stairs before leaving for her office, shaking her head as to what has happened, and wondering why Fernando is as stubborn as he is. Fernando's reasons for this is simple, though invisible to the others it may seem: With the exception of a few individuals, including cyborgs, no one in this 'job' has offered to be his friend by either statement or action. Worst of all, most want to pry into his personal and private life in matters that does not concern them.

Rachel was walking about her room in her bra, panties and stockings, looking at the items that she has selected to wear but was having a tough time choosing. She momentarily looks at her godfather as he enters her room, closing the door behind him.

Fernando: Having a tough time choosing?

Rachel: Yeah.

Fernando: Just put anything on, but look good when you do.

Rachel looks at him, more like at what he was wearing. She then holds up a couple of skirts, and then decide on the dark grey wrap around one. Then she follows with a dark navy blue turtle neck light sweater for her to wear. She gathers the other items and puts them away in her closet. As she comes out of the closet, she asks a question.

Rachel: God-father, do I have to wear the bullet proof t-shirt?

Fernando: You don't have too if you don't want too. It is preferred that you do though. Why, you got an problem with it?

Rachel: No, not really. Its just sometimes its to… well…

Fernando: Well, you can say it.

Rachel: Binding and restrictive in certain clothes.

Fernando: Binding and restrictive?

Rachel points at her breasts and motions a circle with her fingers around them.

Fernando: Oh. I see.

Rachel nods.

Fernando: Well, I'll let you decide on this one. But take into consideration the following: The type of job that we do, where we going, what we are going to do and who we are.

Rachel nods. Then she takes her bullet-proof t-shirt and folds it up, walking over to Fernando and gives it to him.

Fernando: Why are you giving me this?

Rachel: It also needs to be washed, but the label says 'Dry Clean Only.'

Fernando gives the bullet-proof liner a quick sniff before he hands it back to her.

Fernando: OK, I'll deal with this when we return. Just put it on your desk while we're gone.

Rachel does what she was told, putting the t-shirt on the desk, and then goes to her bed to put in the rest of her clothes. The turtle neck goes on first, then followed by the skirt. She holds on to the hem as she goes to the night stand and pick up the two large safety pins to secure the skirt into place.

Fernando: You like that style of skirt, don't you?

Rachel: Why you say that?

Fernando: You wear those more than the other ones. So I figure that you must like them more.

Rachel: Well… I do like them, but I like them more for these large safety pins. If I need a weapon and don't have one, these safety pins will do just great!

Fernando: That's why?

Rachel: Well, that and… well…

Fernando: Yes?

Rachel: If you and I ever get it on, its just take off the top safety pin and the skirt falls to the floor.

Fernando: Girl, if I could, I would, but we cant so take those thoughts out of your pretty little head- OK?

She just smiles back for the moment.

Rachel: OK.

Rachel then hops on her bed and takes her shoes to put them on. Her SW.45 gun in the clip-on holster follows, as she clips it on the small of her back in the waist band of her skirt. The sweater is pulled over to cover it. She then gets up to walk over to him and give him a hug. He hugs her back.

Fernando: What was that for?

Rachel: Cant I just hug my god father anytime I want?

Fernando: You can. It just throws me off as to why.

Rachel: Because I love you.

Fernando: I love you too.

Rachel: Then there is no more reason, right?

Fernando: I'm sorry, I have been through a lot.

Rachel: You mean with Claes ordered to shoot you?

Fernando: That is just the beginning.

Rachel: How so?

Fernando: Ferro was in my room, giving me a hard time for no reason again.

Rachel: What kind of a hard time?

Fernando: Among many things- trying to get information about Cathy. Want me to forgive Claes even though Claes was ordered by her- that apology should come from her and not Claes.

Rachel: Maybe you should give her a hard time.

Fernando What do you mean by that?

Rachel (poking at his crouch with her finger): That sort of a hard time.

Fernando takes a step back and puts his hand over his private area.

Fernando: Wait a minute there…

Rachel: Well, it seems to me like she wants it whether you do or not, so give it to her.

Fernando: I think there is more to it than that. Besides don't you want her to stay away from me in that sense?

Rachel: I would get jealous, and perhaps angry about that, but if it has to be done, consider it a mission.

Fernando: Listen Rachel, unless the relationship between her and I change tremendously, I would rather give it you first before I give to it to her.

Rachel almost smiles, holding it back as much as possible.

Rachel: You would?

Fernando: I would, only if our love for each other warrants it. As for me and Ferro- there is no love there, and the way she is going, she's losing my respect for her too. I swear, why is this place so fucked up like that?

Rachel: Maybe it is. You know I hear rumors of the girls doing their handlers and even room mates. They say that the pressure gets to so high to them that they have to do something about it.

Fernando: What about you?

Rachel: I'm not a lesbo- you know that…

Fernando: I know… but I'm not there for you in that way. And if you're sneaking around with somebody else…

Rachel (interrupting him): Daddy... if I can be so blunt about it. There is only you for me. Yes, there were times where I wanted to hump the hell out of my pillow, but I go to your room instead and sleep with you. Just feeling you against me and smelling your scent brings me back down.

Fernando: Is that why you come to my room to sleep with me?

Rachel: Not all the time, maybe just once or twice.

Fernando: What about pre-mission sleep overs.

Rachel: That's because I'm scared.

Fernando: OK… Can I ask why you're scared?

Rachel: I don't want to lose you in the mission. But if that were to happen, I would like to have slept with you one last time the night before.

Fernando: I see.

Rachel: Are you going to stop me from sleeping over?

Fernando: No. Why should I?

Rachel: Maybe because you think I was taking advantage of you?

Fernando: No, you're not.

Fernando gives her a hug and then a kiss to her forehead.

Fernando: Look, at least we are honest with each other. That's what counts.

Rachel just smiles.

Fernando: Look, lets go find Hillshire and Triela so we can go. You check her room, I'll check the office, then we'll meet at my Porsche.

Rachel: OK god-daddy.

Fernando opens the door to her room and steps out. Rachel takes her little black purse with her to carry a few essential things in it, and steps out with him. Fernando was walking down the stairs while she locks her door.

Neither Fernando or Rachel had found their intended targets, so they walk out to the parking lot to their car. Fernando remotely unlocks the doors to allow them to enter into it. Fernando turns on the ignition, and takes the car out of the parking spot and puts it back in reverse; so instead of being head in/tail out, its tail in/head out of the parking space. The ignition gets turned off as they wait for their friends to arrive. He turns on the music system, selecting a particular song that very few knows the meaning of: Tempted, by Squeeze.

Hillshire and Triela arrives with Ferro and Claes a few minutes later, longer than it what it should have taken them. They stand in front of the Porsche, in the drive area, discussing among themselves. Fernando reaches for the headlights switch, making the lights to come out of their pods, and brightening up the area if at least momentarily. They turn to face the Porsche as the headlights recede into their pods.

Fernando signals to Rachel to open the door to let Hillshire and Triela to enter it. Rachel steps out of the car. Ferro says her final words before leaving with Claes in tow. Triela gets into the Porsche's rear seat, followed by Rachel and Hillshire taking the shot-gun position. Both Rachel and Fernando do their seat belts. Fernando turns on the ignition, puts the car in gear, and starts to drive away. Once out of the compound and on the highway, Fernando starts to ask questions.

Fernando: What was that all about? And why is Ernesto and Pia following us?

Hillshire: They are?

Fernando sighs.

Fernando: Yes, in that Red Ferrari Dino. I swear, he almost crashed the last time he chased me. Now tell me, what's going on?

Hillshire: I don't know of anything that is going on.

Fernando: Look, don't be lying to me. The inflection stresses in your voice tells me that you're hiding something.

Hillshire: If I had something to hide from you, you would be the last to know about it.

Fernando: Oh really?

Fernando puts his hand on the gear shift, flicking a little top cover open. A red button with a silver collar was there, with letterings that said, "Go Baby Go!" Hillshire looks at the button and the lettering that surrounds it.

Hillshire: Go Baby Go?

Fernando: You know, sometimes I wonder why that even to this day and age, some people still do not put on their seat belts. (He takes a look at Ernesto and Pia in the Dino behind them in the rearview mirror, and the half empty highway in front of him). Hillshire, call Ernesto to meet us at that place in Nemi. The Coppola I think it is. Oh, put on your seat belt too, while you're at it, and don't make any sudden moves.

Hillshire turns to face Triela, but it is not what Fernando wanted, as he held the shifter knob in 4th gear as he pressed the button. The nitrous system kicks in along with the engine's twin superchargers, which accelerated the car from 65mph to 100mph in under a second. Hillshire and Triela were pinned awkwardly in their seats, as Rachel sat back enjoying the ride like some amusement park rollercoaster. Fernando lets go of the gas a bit and goes 1/2way down on the clutch as he shifted gears, lurching the car forward into higher g-forces. The Tachometer was already pinned into the red zone as the speedometer was approaching 175mph. He was still 1 gear away from reaching the speedometer's 210mph limit. Ernesto and Pia were just a tiny red dot on the rearview mirror.

Fernando took to the turns like an Indy/formula 1 car driver, reaching Nemi city limits in under 8 minutes. It took a few miles of driving in neutral to slow the Porsche down to a respectable speed as brake fade kicked in every once in a while. In just a couple of minutes, Fernando was pulling into the parking lot of the Coppola. In seconds he was backing into a parking spot, but keeps the engine on for the moment.

Fernando: Now that we have a few minutes alone, Victor what's going…

The sound of Triela pulling out her gun and putting it behind Fernando's Head rest can be heard, followed by a similar sound onto Hillshire's headrest as Rachel does the same to him. Fernando takes his thumb nail and opens a tiny panel from the steering wheel, putting his thumb onto a switch inside it. Then he reaches out to the dash board, pressing a button on it which opens the rear hatch.

Fernando: Victor, I got my thumb on a self destruct switch which will blow up the car and us in it if I let it go. Now tell Triela to put the gun away and step out of the car through the rear hatch. Rachel, follow her, take her gun and get her to close the hatch.

Rachel: Yes god-father.

Hillshire: Triela…

Triela: I heard.

Triela puts her gun away before climbing out from the rear hatch. Rachel pulls on the latch behind the seats to drop them, allowing her exit from the rear to be easier. Triela hands over her weapon to Rachel and then closes the hatch. They both stand there waiting for what was going on inside to commence, with Rachel having Triela's gun pointed at its owner.

Fernando reaches over to the dash and presses a blank switch, before letting go of the button.

Fernando: Don't ever have me do that again.

Hillshire: I'm sorry, sometimes Triela acts out on her own.

Fernando: I don't care under who's rules or orders she abides by. She kills me, consider yourself and anybody with you in this car dead. Now tell me what the fuck is going on that the agency I swore to work with is going against me?!

Hillshire: If I knew…

Fernando: You know, so say it!

Hillshire: OK, OK… I just need to know 1 thing.

Fernando: And what would that be?

Hillshire: You send any emails or letters with any agency secrets?

Fernando: What agency secrets?!

Hillshire: I was told that you sent an email to your CIA supervisor about the agency's cyborg program and some of its secrets…

Fernando: I'll be fucking damned…. Is this is what everything is about?

Hillshire: Well, did you sent them anything?

Fernando: All I stated was that Rachel was turned into a cyborg because of their stupid interference in 1 email!

Hillshire: I read that email. Is there a reason why you had to tell them that?

Fernando: Yes- they know she is here but don't know why she is. I had to tell them that she is with me and I'm in charge of her well being. As for cyborg secret, if you think I released any- then you can try to arrest me or even kill me. But I'm warning you now that you wont succeed.

Hillshire: That's it? An explanation and a threat?

Fernando: I'm defending what little I have and it seems that I have nothing left to defend but Rachel and myself.

Hillshire: You willing to die for her?

Fernando: I'm willing to kill for her. Now what's your point?

Hillshire: You know that if and when you ever return to the States, your agency will want to take Rachel and dissect her to see how she operates.

Fernando: Both her and I would be dead when that happens, and so will many of their agency members, so what ever contacts you or the SWA have there- notify them of that. John knows that Rachel and I are inseparable… so he knows better than to try something stupid against her because he already had tried once before and it cost him dearly.

Hillshire: I see.

Fernando: I don't care that you do. Now get out of my car and get a table for 6. Rachel and I need to have a talk.

Hillshire: 6?

Fernando: Ernesto and Pia are going to need a seat when they arrive.

Hillshire: I see.

Fernando turns off the ignition to his car and then sits back against the seat. Hillshire steps out of the car and signals to Triela to follow him. He leaves the car door open, making Rachel wonder why. She approaches the opened door and looks in.

Fernando: Have a seat girl, and close the door.

Rachel does as she is told, handing Triela's weapon to him.

Rachel: Everything alright?

Fernando: I would not know where to begin, but no.

Rachel: How about the beginning?

Fernando: There is none… well… anyways. Look, if anything happens to me, I want you to take out those responsible. You can always cry at my grave later.

Rachel: Daddy? Everything alright?

Fernando: No they're not. Look, it's a stupid misunderstanding, but OK… Let me start with this: I send John G. an email about why you are here with me and what happened to you. The SWA thinks that in doing that, I sent secret information about their cyborg program to my supervisor.

Rachel: But, aren't you working for the CIA in cooperation with the SWA? I mean, I may not understand the details of what's going on, but I have some idea of it.

Fernando: Like what?

Rachel: You're only here for me, I know that. I also know that you have to be here for at least a year or two for the CIA, so its not like you will be going home anytime soon, and neither will I. So we have to make the best of it for now, right?

Fernando: Yeah, you can say that. How do you feel about it?

Rachel: I'm here for you, and that's not the conditioning talking, but from me, right here.

Rachel points to her heart. Fernando reaches over to her and holds her tightly against him. After a few seconds, there is a muffled noise coming from Rachel.

Rachel: I can't breathe…

Fernando lets her go.

Fernando: Sorry about that…

Rachel: Its OK.

After a bit of silence.

Rachel: When are we going in?

Fernando: We'll wait for Ernesto and Pia to arrive.

Rachel: I cant stand her…

Fernando: Why is that?

Rachel: I just do. You know, you ever looked at somebody and for some reason you just cant stand them for some reason? Well, yeah, that's it for me with her.

Fernando: You know, I cant blame you. I cant stand her handler either.

Rachel: Why is that?

Fernando: That hat, the white suits, the fancy jewelry, he looks more like a pimp than a handler, and Pia is his little girl in more ways than one.

Rachel: I heard that she does it with him, which is why she is hardly ever in the compound with the other cyborgs, but away with him.

Fernando: You know I don't like rumor mongering. The same can be said about us when you sleep with me.

Rachel: So? At least if we do it, it would be something that I have always wanted to do, and not something I was programmed to do. Doesn't that bother you, that these girls are willing to do anything for their handlers because they were programmed to do so and I mean anything…

Fernando: That's why I keep your conditioning as low as possible.

Rachel: Why do I have to take that medication so often?

Fernando: Its to make sure that your body don't reject the implants you have, and you don't do through pain using them. There is some mental conditioning involved with the drug but that is why I keep it as low as possible- so you are not mentally affected by it.

Rachel: Oh… well, I'm letting you know that I love you and always have, and that's not the medication making me say that.

Fernando: I already know that, and you know I cant give you what you want.

Rachel: Just being by you is all I need from you, and I'll protect you as best as I can.

Fernando: Now that's the medication talking?

Rachel: Well, yes and no.

Fernando: Yes and no?

Rachel: Yes, because I have to protect you as a gunslinger girl should and No, because you protected me for so long that I have to return you the favor.

Fernando: You don't have to return me any favors. Just do what I ask of you and do your best.

Rachel leans over the car's center console and gives Fernando a hug.

Rachel: I always will for you, daddy.

Fernando sighs as he heard those words from her before putting an arm around her. He leans over her and kiss her on the top of her head. She looks up at him when he pulls away.

Rachel: What was that for?

Fernando: Nothing, really.

Rachel: You sure? You only do that when you're either tired or expecting something bad to happen.

Fernando: I'm just tired. Tried of all this shit for a lot of nothing.

Rachel: Same here.

Fernando: OK, I'm not going to ask why.

Rachel: What ever gives you problems, gives me problems. So you know…

Fernando: I know.

A red Ferrari Dino pulls into the parking lot and finds a space next to the Porsche. Ernesto and Pia step out of the Ferrari and look at the Porsche. They cant seem to go past the dark window tint to look inside. They both look at each other before going into the restaurant.

Fernando: It would be fucked up if we flatten all 4 tires and then leave them stranded out here.

Rachel: You would want to do that?

Fernando: Want and do are two different things. But it would be fun to think about it.

Rachel: So, lets not and say that we did?

Fernando: Well sort of, yeah.

A few more seconds of silence between them.

Fernando: Well, lets go.

Rachel: Awww… must we?

Fernando: Yes, we must.

Rachel: And I was just enjoying our alone time too.

Fernando: Alone time is over now. We got business to take care off.

Rachel: Alright daddy…

Fernando: Daddy again?

Rachel: Yes, cause that is what you are even though you did not get my mother pregnant. (she sticks out her tongue at him)

Fernando: Alright, lets go.

Reluctantly Rachel slides over to her seat and opens the door. Fernando leans over to his door and opens it. Together, they step out of the car and walk to the front of it where they meet. Rachel takes her god-father's hand and they both walk into the restaurant. Soon, they were escorted to their seats with the others. Water, wine and glasses along with a basket of bread were set on the table. Fernando slides Triela's gun to Hillshire when the waiters leave. Hillshire hands it over to Triela who holsters it away.

Fernando takes two of the empty glasses and places them by him and his girl, which he fills with water though he notices that the other girl's glasses were filled with wine.

Fernando: You people had already ordered?

Hillshire: No, we were waiting for you to arrive.

Fernando: I see. Rachel, anything special you want?

Rachel: I'll take what you're having.

Fernando: I'm just going for their meat lasagna, nothing more.

Rachel: Its OK, I'll take the same thing.

Fernando (to Hillshire): You?

Hillshire: Depending on Triela, a pasta primavera.

Fernando: Interesting choice. Ernesto?

Ernesto: Nothing special. A Chicken Alfredo for the both of us.

Fernando: Well, call the waiter and make the order. I have to go to the boy's room.

Ernesto: What?

Fernando: To the bathroom. To use the toilet, you know? Or should I draw a diagram and explain every step to you.

Ernesto: That wont be necessary, just don't get lost along the way.

Fernando gets and starts walking to the bathroom. At this time Rachel sits uncomfortably, being faced by 2 cyborgs: Triela and Pia. But it was Hillshire who got her ire.

Hillshire: Rachel, is it? How would you feel if your handler got arrested?

Rachel: Ask your girl that answer if it were to happen to you.

Hillshire: Chances are you would be rewritten like Claes was while he goes through trial and serve his time.

Rachel: Why are you telling me this?

Hillshire: I would like to know what would you do about this situation. Part of that depends on your conditioning, which you seem to have the lightest levels of.

Rachel: I would rather die than to have you arrest him, and I would do my damnedest to protect him, even if I have to protect him against you.

Triela: I would drop you in an instant.

Rachel looks at Triela through a corner of her eyes.

Rachel: You would be the first I take out.

Triela: Yeah?

Rachel: Yeah.

Triela: I would like to see you try.

Rachel: Don't push your luck with me, or you might get your wish.

Pia remains quiet, though she secretly reaches for her gun behind her back.

Ernesto: Ladies, lets not push this. OK?

Rachel: Nobody is arresting my god-father. Nobody.

Hillshire: I was only stating cause and effect.

Rachel: Really? Then tell your bitch to stop barking so much. The neighbors are beginning to complain!

Triela: Why you little daddy-fucker…

Triela gets up off her chair to lean over to Rachel in a threatening pose. Rachel immediately follows through while drawing her gun. At the same time Pia draws for her, and finds it pinned on the table under Rachel's free hand, while her gun is aimed at Triela's eye.

Rachel: Damn you're fucking slow, Pia! I don't know how you ever became a gunslinger girl, I swear!

From across the restaurant, Fernando yells out, "Rachel! Stand Down!" Rachel refuses as she continues to stand there with the gun pointed at Triela's eye. Fernando runs up behind her, giving her the command to stand down again. She continues to refuse. With little choice, Fernando grabs her gun from the Slider/Muzzle end and draws it up and away from Triela's face and manages to pull it out of her grasp, giving Rachel one of his meanest looks ever.

Fernando (loudly and almost growling at Rachel): Sit Down… NOW!

Rachel can only look at him, scared and starting to tremble. She then takes to her seat very slowly and deliberately, taking her other hand off Pia's weapon. Once seated, she folds her arms on the table and hides her face in them, where she softly cries. Fernando shift his eyes to the other handlers.

Fernando: Tell your girls to stand down.

The handlers do as they were told, forcing weapons to be put away and the young ladies to be seated.

Fernando: What is the matter with you all? I cant leave well enough alone without some incident happening?

Hillshire: It was a test.

Fernando: A test that could have gotten someone killed. Now tell me what's going on!

Hillshire: Like I said, it was a test. Unfortunately, Rachel passed better than expected.

Fernando: Don't ever test my cyborg again, for I will not be responsible for her actions and back her up in what ever consequences she may have to face.

Hillshire: Noted.

Fernando (looking over to Ernesto): Don't you have anything to say in all this?

Ernesto: I'm as shocked as you are.

Fernando: Don't give me that bullcrap.

Ernesto: Eh?

Fernando: Don't give me that. All her life that I have known her, unless I tell her to do something, Rachel is a reactive person and not a proactive individual. Therefore, she did something in reaction to something you have either said or done to her. Tests be damned, Hillshire; like I said- I will not be responsible for her actions she takes upon you when you decide to poke a little fun at her. So in words you can understand, I don't play like that and neither does she.

Hillshire: All I said to her was what her actions be if I were to arrest you?

Fernando: That's not enough to get a reaction like that out of her, something else was said or done.

Hillshire: Perhaps things got a little too carried away.

Fernando: A Little?! Guns were drawn out and this became a Mexican Standoff!

Ernesto: Mexican Standoff?

Hillshire (to Ernesto): I'll explain what that is later. (to Fernando) Maybe you should up her conditioning.

Fernando: Go fuck yourself, Hillshire. Rachel, Lets go.

Hillshire: Wait a minute! Where are you going?!

Fernando: Some place private.

Hillshire: You cant leave our sight.

Fernando: Go fuck yourself, Victor. I'll be at my ride having a father-daughter moment with my girl.

The waiter comes up to them to get their order. Fernando looks at him and gives him his with instructions to pack it to go and deliver it to the Porsche outside in the parking lot as he stuffs a 200 Euro bill into his pocket. Fernando then puts his hand on Rachel's shoulder and escorts her out of the restaurant. The waiter then takes the other's orders, leaving when done.

Ernesto: Mexican Standoff?

Hillshire: You know it as a Sicilian Standoff.

Ernesto: Oh. Then why bring Mexicans to the table?

Hillshire: We're forgetting, Fernando and Rachel are not European.

Ernesto: And what about…?

Hillshire: One thing that human behavior has taught me is when to trust somebody and by how much. Fernando will be where he stated he would be.

Ernesto: And if he leaves?

Hillshire: If he leaves then we have another 'Fratello On The Run' mission to contend with.

Fernando approaches car, unlocking its doors with the remote in his pocket. Rachel stops just a few feet from its front end.

Rachel: Father?

Fernando: I don't want to hear it, shut up and get in the car.

Rachel bites on her lower lip and complies with the command given to her. Fernando waits outside the car and rolls down the windows with the remote in his pocket 1/2 way down. Through the windshield he can see Rachel putting on her seatbelt. Once she belted in, Fernando goes to her and tosses her gun onto her lap.

Fernando: Put it away, I don't want to see it for the rest of the day.

Fernando then walks away from the passenger door and leans against the driver's side front fender, crossing his arms and thinks. He then raises the windows 3/4 of the way up, opened just enough to look out them through the top and allow air into the car. Rachel puts her gun into her clip on holster at her back and covers it with her sweater.

After a few minutes had past, Pia and Triela walk out of the restaurant and towards Fernando and his Porsche.

Fernando: Don't come any closer. I don't want to hear it from any of you.

Triela: We want to talk to Rachel.

Fernando: Rachel is banned from interacting with any of you outside of missions. Now go back to your handlers.

Triela walks right up to him and looks at him in defiance.

Triela: You don't give me orders.

Fernando: You want to walk home?

Triela: We can get a ride in Ernesto's car.

Fernando: In a 2-seater, with 4 flat tires? Don't push me.

Triela: You adults are all the same.

Fernando: You cyborgs emulate your handlers just as well. So if the shoe fits- wear it.

Triela: What is that supposed to mean?

Fernando: Excuse me for being an Ugly American, but it means if the situation fits you then become the situation. You telling me that all adults are the same- well now, you cyborgs are a reflection of your adult handlers. Therefore- be the adults that you are trying to be.

Triela: You are by far the worst grown up I have ever ran into.

Fernando: And you the most stuck up kid I ever met. Tell me, you doing your handler?

Triela: What?!

Fernando: Just answer the question- are you and your handler having sex?

Triela: Why I never!!

Fernando: Don't give me that little princess routine. Girls in this kind of relationship with older men who are not related to them will have a sexual episode at some point along in their relationship.

Triela: What of you and your cyborg? I bet you're doing her lovely. We all know that you do sleep with her.

Fernando: And that is all we do is sleep, because we are actually related. So that adds a facet to our relationship that you will never understand. But as for you and Hillshire, you two are not related. And from the rumors that abound about the place, several fratello teams are doing each other, with the Hillshire/Triela team on the top of the list. But I am one not for rumors, I just don't like what I hear of what is being said.

Triela: Maybe you should just ignore the rumors and wear them like a badge of honor while doing what is expected of you here.

Fernando: When you figure out what I am expected to do here, tell me; because every thing that I try to do here from intell gathering, writing reports doing missions and teaching you girls how to swim have all come up with resistance of one kind or another. All I want is to be left alone to my job in peace, and peace is one thing I have not received from the first day I walked into this place.

Triela: Then why don't you leave the SWA?

Fernando: If I leave, Rachel goes with me. And I do not have the resources to take care of her cyborg medical needs. So for her I have to stay, at least for now.

Triela: And Rachel can not leave with you, she is part of our group now.

Fernando: Rachel is a free thinking girl, born and raised in America with American ideals-she is not owned by anyone, especially to this group of girls or this agency.

Triela: You know that if you try to take her away, we will hunt you down for her.

Fernando: And? You willing to blow up a plane filled with passengers to get to me? You so willing to gunfight me when you lost to me in the paint ball challenge?

After a few seconds of silence.

Fernando: I thought so.

A few more seconds of silence between them.

Fernando: You want to interact with Rachel, you do with within the limits of my eyesight and with your handlers present. Now leave to get them or leave us alone.

Triela looks at him sternly, as Pia looks at her confused as to what to do. Pia then turns around and heads to the restaurant.

Fernando: Looks like your little friend left you.

Fernando closes the door of the Porsche and walks right over to Triela. Once within feet from her, he takes off his glasses and stare right into her eyes with his.

Fernando: Just remember one thing girl. I don't fuck around. I fuck straight, good and hard. So don't push me unless you want to be pushed back. And believe me- cyborg super strength or not, fight with me and you will lose and end up flat on your tiny cyborg ass.

Triela: We will see about that.

Fernando: It can be demonstrated right here and now if you want.

Triela: That wont be necessary.

Fernando: Then go back to your handler and report to him everything that has happened.

Triela could only give a stern look at him before turning around and walking back inside to the restaurant. Fernando turns to walk back to the Porsche when she had passed through the doors. Once back at his car, he leans against a fender, thinking to himself.

Fernando: All this crap because of one stupid email? Damn shit, the stupidity of it all, I swear.

A waiter comes out of the restaurant with a bagged meal, heading to the Porsche. He looks over to Fernando.

Waiter: You ordered the meat lasagna lunches?

Fernando: Yes I did.

The waiter hands him the bag of food that had been packed inside. Fernando pulls out a 50Euro bill and hands it to him as they exchange items. The waiter smiles and then trots back to the restaurant.

Fernando opens door to the Porsche, then reaches inside and opens the hatch back rear end. He takes the meal with him there and starts to unpack it.

Fernando: Rachel, lets eat.

Rachel: I'm not hungry.

Fernando: I said LETS EAT… NOW.

Rachel bows her head and answers in but a whisper as she unbuckles her seat belt and steps out of the car to walk over to the open rear hatch. Fernando has already placed the food in order. There were 2 1-liter bottles of water and a 1/2 liter bottle of wine along with the lasagna. The next 10 minutes they sit and eat their meal in non-verbal silence.

Fernando cleans up the area they have finishes eating, putting the garbage in the bag the food was brought in. Rachel stayed seated in the open hatch back as Fernando walked about the parking lot looking for a garbage can to put the bag into. He returns in a few minutes with his hands empty.

Fernando: Go inside and wash up. Use the bathroom too.

Rachel complies as she walks to the restaurant. Fernando closes the hatchback of his Porsche, then sits on the driver's chair with both of the doors open wide.

Fernando: All of this crap because of a stupid email and a major misunderstanding? I fucking swear.

Fernando reached under the seat and pull out a laptop from there, with several cables connecting to it. He opens the laptop and starts typing away. In seconds, he connects an American satellite relay that few know about.

Fernando: Lets see… it's a bit old, but… Hmmm…. (direct connection to the CIA American computers are made) Got it!

He then access the server's email system and sends an email to this supervisor John G.

John G.,

I request the highest level of assistance on this end. Can you come to Rome on the next available flight and meet with the SWA's director? And bring Doc with you. I also require his assistance as well. We are about to under go a major anti-terrorism mission in 36 hours and need you two to arrive before then. I am sorry that I can not disclose the details until you arrive. Call me on the cell when you get here.

-Fernando.

Code: 0000003C

Fernando lets out a sigh as the email was sent. Then he decides to access the CIA's server and send an email to the SWA Director Lorenzo.

Director Lorenzo.

We will be arriving within the next 12 hours to discuss Agent Fernando's progress and responsibilities for both our agencies. Please make arrangements with your heads of staff for us to meet at your earliest convenience. I hope to hear nothing but good things about him.

-Supervisor John G.

.cc Agent Fernando G.

Fernando then disconnects from the network, closes the laptop and puts it back under his seat.

Fernando: Fuck them all, I swear.

He continue to sit there for a bit of time. Rachel returns to the Porsche within a minute of him putting away the laptop. She sits next to him at the front passenger seat. The others walk out several minutes after. Fernando steps out of the car to met with them. He signals to Rachel to step out as well.

Fernando: We ready to go?

Ernesto unlocks the doors to the Dino with his key remote, but everyone gathers in the front of Fernando's 928GTL. The cyborgs all stare at each other, with Pia and Triela at Rachel and Rachel keeping the both of them in her view. The adults do the same thing to Fernando as he does the same to them. Fernando tosses the keys to Hillshire.

Fernando: You drive.

Hillshire: Why?

Fernando: Frankly, I'm tired.

Hillshire tosses the key back to him.

Hillshire: You drove us here, you drive us back.

Fernando: Have it your way then.

Fernando opens his door wider, and folds the front seat forward.

Fernando: Rachel, back seat.

Rachel complies as she goes into the back seat and starts to buckle her seat belt. Hillshire gives Triela a similar command, and she complies by getting into the Porsche through the passenger door and sits down in the rear seat. Hillshire starts to walk to the passenger door, with Ernesto and Pia entering the Dino at the same time. Fernando gets in when Hillshire pulls his door close. He puts on his seat belt and reminds Hillshire and Triela to do the same. This time they comply.

Fernando puts the Porsche into gear and starts driving away. Ernesto follows behind in the Dino. The ride remains quiet until they hit the highway.

Fernando: Hope you don't mind but I will be taking a detour to the compound.

Hillshire: What kind of detour?

Fernando: Just to get a few supplies. Chinese food mainly.

Hillshire: Will that be all?

Fernando: Know of any supermarkets or pet food places? I'm down the last few cans of cat food for Meeshie. And a few feminine products for the girl.

Rachel: Hey!

Hillshire: The SWA takes care of the cyborg's needs.

Fernando: I don't want my girl to be using institutional tampons. I know she has her needs and I do what I can for them. I swear Hillshire, don't you treat Triela like she was your own daughter?

Hillshire: We are fratello. That's good enough.

Fernando: As your fratello you should be giving her the best of those things that she needs. Those government pads and tampons are not the best thing to use, especially on one who is as young as they are. They are our girls. Their comfort on various needs should be number one on our list. 500 Euros says that you don't even know what her cycle is, though it is our business to know these things to make things easier for them when it happens.

Hillshire looks back at Triela, seeing the she had blushed into a beet red.

Hillshire: You know Rachel's cycle?

Fernando: Yes I do.

Hillshire: Men should not know of these things.

Fernando: Men should so they know how their women are. And in that, not be making excuses about their cycle or having headaches. Furthermore, when things don't go by the way they should, discuss with them the options. Did you know that a common cold can make a girl skip her cycle? I bet you didn't.

Hillshire: No I didn't.

Fernando: You need to show that you love her, as much as she loves you.

Triela: I don't love him- we are fratello.

Fernando: As Fratello, there is a brotherly, sisterly love, as love comes in all shapes and sizes. So as a younger sister- you love Hillshire, and it shows in the fights and arguments you two have.

Triela: And what of you and your cyborg.

Fernando: First off, she is a girl with cyborg parts. Like a veteran or car accident victim who has artificial limbs because of the accident; but these parts on you two are very advanced and well integrated into your bodies so that its almost impossible to tell them apart. That is how I see Rachel's condition- a girl with cyborg parts and not as a cyborg or a cyborg girl. Secondly, I love her and she returns that love unconditionally, without question, reason or demand. And that I love her as my own flesh and blood because I had have a hand in her upbringing so I am her father in action even though she is legally my god daughter. It is you guys that killed her and turned her into what she is today, but in that, she is still my girl, my daughter. Why your handlers do not treat you girls like I do mine is a sin and a crime for if I had to put my life in Rachel's hand, I know it will be in a safe place. Hillshire puts his life in your hands and yet you two fight all the time like cat and dog. All the other handlers do the same with their girls but yet little is returned to them. Don't you think something is wrong with that?

Triela: Err…

Hillshire: You made your point. But Triela is my cyborg.

Triela: Ahem!

Hillshire: What was that for?

Triela: You don't see me as a girl?

Hillshire: You don't let me into your life by that much.

Fernando: You two need some alone time. Perhaps after the mission. In fact, we all should.

Hillshire turns to look at Triela, who was sitting there with her arms crossed and a mean look on her face.

Hillshire: Now you done it.

Fernando: Done what? By exposing the truth? Fuck- if something were to happen to Rachel, I would cry at her grave, and put her in a place in my heart and memories like I did with my wife because in there she will live forever in me. And if anything were to happen to me, I know she would do the same.

Fernando turns off into the exit, entering Rome. For the next several minutes, they continue to drive around aimlessly as Fernando tries to look for a parking space for the both of them. He finds one by the river not far from the Coliseum. He gets out of the car as Ernest parks next to him. Hillshire leaves also, with the girls following soon after. They meet up with Ernesto and Pia by the fence that runs by the river.

Ernesto: Why we stopped here for?

Fernando takes out his wallet and pulls out a several smaller domination Euro bills to give to Rachel; mainly in 10's and 20's.

Fernando: I need to pick up some supplies, as does Rachel.

Ernesto: What kind of supplies?

Hillshire: Feminine hygiene stuff.

Ernesto: Oh!… Wait, you mean.

Fernando: Lets leave it at that. You know where is the nearest supermarket and drug store is at?

Hillshire: Not around here. This is a tourist area. We would need to drive there.

Fernando: How about we walk?

Hillshire: Its along way.

Fernando: So? You really want to go back to the compound? I don't.

Ernesto: Putting it that way, lets go.

They walk for several blocks, which were short fortunately. Soon they were at the local market area. There was both street sellers and indoor stores selling anything and everything from food to clothes and medicines. There was a few selling electronics as well.

Fernando: This looks like a nice place.

Hillshire: There are better ones further away. This one is too close to the tourist area, and getting a fair deal can be difficult here.

Fernando: I'm not worried about the money. Now, where can I get some cat food?

Ernesto: Indoor market over there should have it.

Fernando: And there is a clothing department store and drugstore next to it. Good.

Fernando turns to Rachel.

Fernando: Raych-honey. You know what you need, so go get it. I'll be in there getting Meeshie her stuff. We meet by the door of the supermarket in an hour.

Rachel: OK god-father.

Rachel starts to head to the clothing store first.

Hillshire: You are going to let her go on her own like that?

Fernando: Why not?

Hillshire: Cyborgs should not be allowed to go out on their own.

Fernando: According to your own reports, you often let Triela function on her own. In the past Rachel has done things without me and she continues to do so to this day.

Hillshire (turning to Triela): Go with her.

Triela heads out to catch up to Rachel without saying a word.

Ernesto: Pia, go with them.

Pia does the same, following Triela, following Rachel into the store. The men take their slow pace into the supermarket next door. Once inside, Fernando takes a hand basket to put the items in as they walked about the store.

Fernando: So, with the girls out of the way, we can now talk freely?

Ernesto: What do you mean by that?

Fernando: Just that. Talk freely.

Ernesto: What do you have in mind?

Fernando: Don't kid yourself with me, Ernesto. I know Ferro has you two following me. Only you drive that red Dino Ferrari. Question is why, by what orders or reason are you to follow me?

Hillshire: You might as well say it, Ernesto. He is not as dumb as he looks.

Fernando stops by the pet food aisle and looks at all the selections. A couple of the American brands were there but not the ones Meeshie ate.

Fernando: And you're not as stupid as you look, Hillshire. Damn, you're right. This place does not have what she likes.

Hillshire: You're calling me stupid?

Fernando: It's a step above idiot, which I consider almost everyone else in the agency.

Hillshire: Why you disrespectful insolent cur.

Fernando turns to Hillshire, looking at him in the eye, lowering his eye glasses down on his nose as to catch him without them being in the way.

Fernando: That place and everybody in it lost my respect just recently. For what? A misunderstanding from an intercepted email? Why didn't the heads come to me and discuss with me about it? No, we have to play this game of spy vs.spy with delussions of paranoid schizophrenia. If I fucked up, then tell me and I will do what I can to undo it. Why the unnecessary bull crap? Now if you want my respect back then you have to earn it, and you all can start with being honest with me about everything.

Fernando turns back to the shelf and takes a few unheard of name brand cans of Meeshie's favorite flavors, in hopes that they would be just as good as their American versions. He does not take too many in case Meeshie turns her nose away from it when served. Fernando then starts to walk to the coffee isle, picking up a powdered creamer. Hillshire and Ernesto follow.

Fernando: Well?

Ernesto: Alright. You are being followed, and not just by me.

Hillshire: You should not be saying that.

Ernesto: Why not?

Hillshire: If he is your mission, he is to be unaware about it.

Fernando: I know when I am being followed. And not just from agency training. Furthermore, you guys are sloppy about it, as I spotted that red Ferrari in my rearview. Ernesto, if you are going to tail somebody, you need to hide in plain sight, and driving a bright red sports car is not hiding in plain sight.

Ernesto: Point taken.

Fernando: And tell the Agency to put a Porsche engine and suspension into Priscilla's VWBug. That's the only way she is going to keep up in a chase.

Ernesto: How did… nevermind.

Fernando: I noticed her pull in to the parking lot at Coppola's right behind you, but no one left the car when it was parked several spots away from us, to observe us from the distance.

Fernando walks about the store, looking at the various items on sale and then head to the cashier with the others behind him. He places his hand basket on the counter to be counted, only to be cut off by some young thug wearing a stocking mask. His friend cuts off Hillshire and Ernesto, taking both sides of Fernando. A third waits near by the door, visible that he was carrying an assault rifle. The first one throws a canvas carry all bag on the counter. He yells at the cashier as he points a gun at her.

Masked Thug: PUT ALL THE MONEY IN THE BAG!

Fernando: Hey, I here first!

Masked Thug: You, put all your valuables in the b…

Before he could finish his sentence, he gets a can of cat food to his face, with such impact force that the can bends and cat food leaks from the seams and a loud crackling pop can be heard from inside the thug's head. Fernando lets go of the can, letting it fall on the floor with the unconscious thug. He rears his right arm outward, catching the second thug in his larynx where a loud crunching sound can be heard. He collapses to the floor holding his throat and coughing up blood in his stocking mask. Fernando's left hand had already drawn out his AA.45 and has it aimed at the last remaining thug. Fernando eyes him, seeing that all his outrage, adrenaline and anger built up to rob the place has all but left him as a shivering shell of nerves. Hillshire and Ernesto can only stand and drop their jaws as they witness the speed in which Fernando has acted upon, and two of the three falling before the second hand of their watches could tick three seconds of time.

Fernando: Hey You! By The Door! You Want To be A Hero? Because As Is, You Are Not Leaving This Place In Peace! So, You What To Hero And Try To Save Yourself? Go Ahead, Rise That Rifle You Got To Shoot Me. But Think About- I Just Took Out Your Two Friends In Less Time Than You Just Did To Shit Your Pants. Face it, I'm 10 Times Faster Than You Will Ever Be, Because All That Pot, Heroine And Cocaine Has Numbed Your Nerves And Slowed Your Reflexes. So, Move In Any Way And You Will Have 3 Rounds Hitting Your Head. So What Shall It Be? You Feeling Lucky, Punk?

The third thug looks at him, trembling even more than before.

Fernando: On The Count of Three- Drop Your Gun! Two And A Half!

Remaining Thug: You Said You Would Count To Three!

Fernando: I Did Not Say Where I Would Start! Now Drop It Or I Drop You!

The thug starts to slowly lower his gun, but a very loud gunfire was fires, dropping the thug where he stood. Fernando looks back at Hillshire and Ernesto- both had their guns drawn but only one had its barrel smoking.

Fernando: Why you had to shoot him, Ernesto?!

Ernesto: He was not going fast enough.

Fernando: I was waiting to see if he would do something stupid- like dive through the door after he drops his weapon!

Fernando holsters his weapon as he argues with Ernesto. Hillshire walks away from the two of them and makes a call on his cell phone as he pockets his weapon.

Hillshire: Priscilla, gather the cyborgs and have them wait across the street. We have a situation here to take care of. Thank you, see you after this is cleared up.

Hillshire returns to the bickering pair, and looks at the carnage. He can understand a blow to the neck killing somebody as a broken larynx would have somebody drown in their own blood. And a large caliber round taking out a thug, but what bothers him is the one who is laying on the floor from having a can of cat food smashed into his face, and the condition the can of cat food was in- dented and leaking from the broken seams. Ernesto finally puts away his weapon. The police walk in with guns drawn, and start grouping eye witnesses in the store.

A pair police officers approaches them to ask questions, and sees the two thugs on the floor. He signals for more officers to join them, as he bend to check their pulse, finding none in both.

Police Officer: What happened here? Who killed them?

Fernando: Maybe it was superman and batman.

Police Officer: Don't get cute with me. I'll have you locked up for vigilantism.

Hillshire slowly pulls out his wallet, showing his old Europol ID Card and Badge.

Hillshire: We killed them as they tried to rob the store.

The police officer looks at the ID card and scratches his head as he tries to make sense of it. Fernando pulls out this wallet, showing off his American CIA Agent ID and shield to another officer. The other officer takes the wallet and shows it to the first. They both shake their heads as they look at them. Then they look at Ernesto. Ernesto starts to take out his wallet, which has nothing more than his drivers' license and SWA Section 2 ID Card. They signal to him to put his wallet away.

Fernando: We were stocking up for a case… you know how it goes- looking into an apartment window for days, no food or entertainment.

Police Officer: Cat food?

Fernando: Makes the best quickie meals. Don't even have to heat and serve, just eat cold. Great with crackers!

One of the two officers just turned green at the thought. He was promptly given back his wallet and was ordered to leave the store, without the cat food or other items he was going to buy. Ernesto followed. Hillshire was detained for a minute, answering a question or two, to his response were, "See the cameras- take the store's video tape and review it. By the way, my boss will be asking for a copy of that tape." He was then allowed to leave when given back his wallet.

Outside was a sight to behold as police had cordoned off the area to the entrance to the store. Hillshire met up with Fernando and Ernesto as they waited for him in the area surrounded by police. Together they walked out and across the street where they met up with Olga.

Hillshire: Where are the cyborgs?

Fernando: Ahem…

Hillshire: I meant the girls.

Olga: Priscilla is in the store rounding them up.

Fernando: Come on, lets go get them.

Hillshire: What for?

Fernando: If Priscilla finds them, she will drag them through ever beauty salon and boutique in Rome. And right now, I can not afford that.

Hillshire: I see what you mean.

Ernesto: Hey, wait a minute…

Fernando: You want Pia as a Brunette with long up to her ass hair extensions?

Ernesto: No…

Fernando: Then lets go find Priscilla before that happens.

It took them a few minutes but the handlers found their cyborgs in the lingerie department of the store, with Priscilla checking out some unmentionables. Each handler goes to their cyborgs, as the girls are looking over the underwear and the materials they are made up of. Fernando wraps his fingers around the maroon nylon bikini panties Rachel was checking out.

Rachel: Hey!

Fernando: Silk would be better for you.

Rachel: Oh, its you.

Rachel looks around, but finds him empty handed.

Rachel: What happened? Why don't you have Meeshie's cat food?

Fernando: It's a long story.

Rachel: Well, I can wait. What happened?

Fernando: The place got held up.

Rachel: Are you OK? Oh- why am I asking that? So did you killed any of them?

Fernando: Ernesto did. I wanted them alive, but he had other plans.

Rachel: I see. Now about these silk panties you speak off…

Fernando: Rachel…

Rachel: Please?

Fernando: OK… But you are also getting some white cotton ones too.

Rachel: You love me in the white cotton ones, don't you?

Fernando: Yeah, they are easy to clean, unlike your dirty little mind or your filthy mouth.

Rachel: Hey!

Fernando: I love you too, girl. Now, if you go over this way… they should be there somewhere.

In a few seconds, they were at the high end section of the lingerie department, as Fernando tries to explain that though they feel the same, nylon and silk behave differently, so she cant trust her fingers on something that will be on her ass. Another issue is that nylon tends to build a static charge if she wears a wool skirt, which much of the wrap around skirts tend to be. So she would have to be aware as to what materials she wears with what underwear, unless she likes to get zapped in the most intimate and private of areas of her body.

Hillshire and Triela sneak up on Fernando and Rachel as they discuss underwear material.

Hillshire: Hope you are not instructing her to meet you in a secret place when you two run.

Fernando turns to face them.

Fernando: We are discussing science here.

Hillshire: Oh sure. Now what type of science can you two be speaking of in the panty section of this store?

Fernando: This…

Fernando takes the nylon panty that Rachel was holding and rubs up against Rachel's ass on her skirt. After a few strokes, he quickly puts the panty near Hillshire's face, where a static discharge occurs first onto his cheek and the rest of it clings to his face. Hillshire struggles to get the static stuck panty off his face.

Hillshire: Ow! Why you….

Fernando: Wool skirts and nylon panties generates a static electricity.

Triela did not know whether to laugh or act upon the threat, though things start to break down when Ernesto comes along with Pia.

Ernesto: Should we be calling you the PantyMan too, Hillshire?

Hillshire: This leaks out to the other handlers, I'm personally going to kick both your asses.

Fernando: You might be able to kick Ernesto's ass but I doubt you can kick mine.

Hillshire: We will have to see about that.

Priscilla (with a hand full of intimate items she was carrying): Isn't it time to go home?

Fernando: I still did not get Meeshie the cat food.

Priscilla: And why not?

All three handlers looked at each other.

Hillshire: The place held up and the police threw everyone out.

Priscilla: I swear, you guys cant go anywhere without making a scene. At least you did not kill anyone…

All three look at her blankly.

Priscilla: You killed somebody?

Fernando: Actually it was Ernesto who killed him.

Ernesto: He had a gun and was robbing the store!

Priscilla: Figures. Now I have to intercept the report before it makes the 10 o'clock news.

Hillshire: I took care of the police.

Priscilla: Last time you did we all had to show up at the children's hospital in clown suits for a month!

Fernando: Don't tell me, I don't want to know.

Ernesto: Nothing wrong with community service… right?

Hillshire: Especially when it came down from the chief.

Fernando: Like I said, I don't want to hear about it. In fact, Priscilla- you can get me 10 assorted flavors of cat food. Preferably some name brand like 9-lives or Purina. I'm going home. Come on, Raych, get what you want, I'm not feeling well.

Rachel: God-father?

Fernando: Just head to the cashier, I'll be there with the credit card.

Rachel: OK god-father.

Fernando I'll be there in a minute, after a few words with Hillshire. In fact, find a few more things before going there.

Rachel: OK God-father…

Rachel starts walking away.

Priscilla: That was not nice of you to do that.

Fernando turns to Priscilla.

Fernando: What the damn hell are you talking about?

Priscilla: You, and how you treat your little cyborg girl.

Fernando: I'm going to pretend that I don't hear you…in fact, Hillshire, as a reminder, if I wanted to escape this place, I would have a long time ago. It is for her and my stupid agency that I stay. Don't you ever forget that.

Hillshire: Sometimes, Fernando, you have to know when to relax and when to be serious. It maybe true that we have a closer eye on you, but that's because you are the newest member of the group.

Fernando: I don't like, and it needs to stop. Accuse me of selling cyborg secrets to my agency or stealing secret Italian pizza recipes for my grandmother- and I will give this agency a reason to worry about me and what I can do. Until then I expect nothing more than the utmost candor and respect out of the others, starting from the top down, including you Hillshire. Its bad enough that I'm telling Rachel to trust and respect the other cyborgs and handlers to the best of her abilities and to do so blindly- its worst when it is not returned.

Priscilla: Trust and respect is earned.

Fernando: Trust is earned, respect is freely given. And right now you and the rest of crew are losing mine.

Fernando looks around to see where Rachel was at for the moment, finding her at the looking over some stockings before making her way to the cashier.

Fernando: That is my cue…

Fernando starts to walk to the cashier, meeting up with Rachel. The others follow and keep an eye on him, though most don't know why other then their given orders to do so. The cashier processes every item Rachel had through the register and putting it into a bag before receiving the credit card from Fernando. It was a small amount, just under 75 Euros for some underwear and a pair of tennis shoes. Hillshire had Triela follow them close behind as he remained several steps back. Ernesto with Pia and Priscilla went after them.

Stepping out of the department store, Fernando spots a bank with an ATM. Taking Rachel by her arm, he takes her to the bank and withdraws a couple hundred Euros in small bills. Triela steps into the bank as Fernando was taking the money out of the machine. He stands there counting it, separating a few bills and handing them to Rachel. She was unsure as to why she was given the money. Fernando starts walking to the door, still counting his money. Removing 2 20 Euro bills from the stash, he hands them over to Triela as he pockets the rest.

Triela: Hey, What is this about?!

Fernando ignores her and continues out the door, with Rachel shrugging her shoulders as she leaves with him. Hillshire was outside with the others. Fernando goes over to Priscilla and hands her a couple of 20 Euro bills.

Priscilla: What is this for?

Fernando: You, Meeshie, Cat food.

Priscilla: I'm not getting any cat nay food.

Fernando just turns and stares her down from the top of his glasses meanly.

Rachel: You better do as he says.

Priscilla: And why should I?

Rachel: Uhm… Just do it… please.

Priscilla: I am not going to do anything without some respect first.

Rachel: Please…?

Priscilla just stands there, looking at Rachel and then at Fernando who was still staring her through the tops of his glasses. In fact, he has yet to even blink all this time.

Priscilla: I'll think about it.

Rachel: Think hard.

Priscilla: Why should I oblige him?

Rachel: You do not want to be on his bad side… and right now I can tell you that he is pissed.

Priscilla continues to look Fernando over, as he keeps on staring at her. In fact, he has not even moved, just stood there frozen in place staring back at her with his mean look.

Priscilla: I'll consider it when we get back to the compound.

Fernando takes his final steps to the Porsche and opens the doors with his remote key system. He pulls the driver's chair back for Rachel to enter. She buckles her seatbelt once inside. Hillshire goes over to the passenger side and does the same for Triela. He gets in once Triela has buckled her seat belt. Fernando looks over the others as they gathered into their cars, and he does the same. Turning on the engine, he put the Porsche in gear and drives off. In less than 10 minutes, they were at the compound parking their cars into their appropriate spaces. They walk into the administrative building together. They all stop at the administrative office not far from the stair case that connects to the cyborg and handler's dormitory.

Priscilla: I got a few things to do before getting you the cat food.

Fernando: Hope that film develops well, and that you got my good side.

Priscilla drops her jaw at the comment, as Fernando knew she was taking pictures of his day's activity. Fernando starts to walk to the stairs with Rachel in tow, but they did not get far as Ferro steps out of the administrative office, calling for him.

Ferro: Fernando…

Fernando stops just short of the stairs.

Fernando: Yes… Ferro?

Ferro: Get in my office, I need to speak with you… now.

Fernando: Can it wait?

Ferro: I said now.

Fernando: I am going to my room and take some medicine for this headache I have. I will see you AFTER I feel better.

Fernando starts going up the stairs, with Ferro shouting that there will be repercussions from his insubordinate actions. Once on the dormitory floor, Fernando gives Rachel a kiss on the forehead and tells her to go to her room. They separate and head out to their destinations. Once Fernando gets inside his room, he searches his desk for his headache medication and takes it with the bitter remains of the coffee pot. The door to his room remained opened. He takes his gun from his holster and puts it on the nightstand, along with his glasses. He kicks off his shoes before getting on his bed and takes one of the pillows to cover his eyes with. Meeshie comes out of her hiding spot and jumps onto the bed and lays next to him.

Ferro walks into his room with a folder under her arm, speaking in a very load tone.

Ferro: Fernando! You Better Be Awake!

Fernando reaches over and grabs on of the other pillows and throws it at her. As she blocks the flying pillow, Fernando reaches for his AA.45 and has it aimed right at her.

Fernando: I said I will see you after this headache goes away!

Ferro walks into the room quietly, seeing Fernando's gun follow her every step, even though his eyes were blocked by the pillow and his other arm holding in place. She looks over his desk, seeing a bottle of pills spilled on it, but cant find a wet glass or cup near by.

Fernando: I'm counting to 1024… you better be walking out before I reach it…. 1, 2….

'1024?', Ferro thought. 'That will take some time to get there…'

Fernando: 4…. 8… 16… 32… 64….

Ferro: Wait a minute… what way are you counting?

Fernando: 128,… Binary Shifting, by doubling the last number… 256,… I can get to a large number rather quickly… 512…

Ferro: You would not dare shoot me.

Fernando: No? 1024….

Fernando pulls on the trigger, but the hammer falls with a loud clack. Ferro flinches into the corner.

Fernando: Heh… what do you know, the safety was on.

Ferro: Why you fucking bastard.

Fernando fumbles with the gun for a bit and then re-aims it at Ferro.

Fernando: Safety is now off, Ferro. Leave me be so I can deal with this headache.

Ferro: Your American Agency Supervisor called.

Fernando: So?

Ferro: He will be here tonight with his staff to meet with us about your progress.

Fernando: Again, so?

Ferro: He wants you to pick them up at the airport.

Fernando: You make the arrangements. Tell him I have a headache, he'll understand.

Ferro: He wants you.

Fernando: I have a migraine right now, and I will kill you if you don't leave quietly so I can deal with it.

Ferro: I need to talk to you about this.

Fernando: Later.

Ferro: No, now.

Fernando: Ferro, please.

Ferro: Please nothing. Why is your supervisor coming to see you?

Fernando: I don't know. Now please leave.

A smaller pair of hands grabs onto the top of the gun and pulls it off his grasp.

Rachel: Daddy, don't.

Fernando: Rachel? How did you…

Rachel: You're too focused on Ferro to sense me.

Rachel gives him a hug and whispers to him.

Rachel: I will take care of her. OK?

Fernando Just get her out of here…

Rachel kisses him on the cheek. Then she walks over to Ferro and grabs her arm, pulling her out of the corner of the room and out onto the hall. She quietly closes the door behind them.

Rachel: What the fuck is wrong with you, bitch!

Ferro: That's it- I'm writing the both of you up and getting you reconditioned.

Rachel takes Fernando's AA .45 and puts it right to her chest.

Rachel: Like hell you are Bitch. Now let me explain it to you to you can better understand. Fernando is having a mega headache. You may not understand what that is, but imagine taking your worst headache and multiply by 100... That is what he is going through, because his souped up nervous system amplifies everything he senses and speed up those signals, so any headache he gets is like getting hit and dragged for miles by a Mac truck for us. Furthermore, pain medication dos nothing for his pain. Only time will make his headaches go away.

Ferro: Then how he is able to…

Rachel: Concentration. Sheer concentration. He was so focused on fighting the pain, and on you, he was not able to sense me. So, consider yourself lucky that I arrived when I did or else he would have shot you dead, and because of his painful headaches, there is no court in this planet that would convict him. But you would know that if you read his file.

Ferro: I needed to talk to him…

Rachel: About his Boss John? Big Deal. John can wait. His headache and well being comes first.

Ferro: But he is arriving tonight with his staff.

Rachel: So? John and his boys can get their own hotel rooms. Fernando needs a couple of hours of peace and quiet until the headache he's going through goes away.

Ferro: But I need…

Rachel: You need nothing. He needs peace, quiet and time. Now walk away and leave him be so he can get better.

Ferro: I want him to go to medical after he recovers then.

Rachel: Yeah right.

Ferro: Its an order.

Rachel: He aint going.

Ferro: Then I'll send Dr. Bianchi to come over.

Rachel: And you lose your doctor. Look, leave him alone when he is like this. Its rare when it happens but it happens.

Ferro thinks.

Rachel: And if you think you are going to have me rewritten, then you better go fuck yourself first. I'm not going to let it happen, and if it does happen, you are going to have to deal with him at his worst.

Ferro: We'll see about that.

Rachel: Don't even tempt it with me, bitch.

Ferro: Why are you… nevermind, you cyborgs are programmed to protect your handlers.

Rachel: Conditioning has nothing to do with this right now. Infact, it is conditioning that's keeping me from pulling the trigger on your ass right now. But as for me protecting him, that is my father in there, and as his daughter- I will do what I have to in order to protect him. (she points to her heart) That comes from within here, and not from some pill that I'm taking everyday to stay alive.

Ferro: He's your god-father, that much I read and verified.

Rachel: He's my god-father on paper. He is my father by action, taking care of me, giving me things that I need like food and clothing because my mother spends all her money on booze and drugs. He helps me with school work and everything that I need. He has always been there for me when nobody else was, long before I became his cyborg. So he is my loving father, and I am his loving daughter. Get in between us, and I wont forgive you. Don't you ever forget that.

Ferro: Have it your way for now…

Rachel: I don't know what he sees in you, personally, I cant stand you.

Ferro: What do you mean by that?

Rachel: Exactly what I said.

Ferro: He has some sort of affection towards me?

Rachel: Personally, I think it just for what you have in between your legs, and that you look so much like his dead wife. Other than that, I don't see it. You don't act like her. You don't have her nice personality. You got that squeaky girl voice, your eyes are not green, and you're not blonde. You just got her height, build, and short hair, but that's it. You may also switch that ass of yours like she used too, but I see nothing.

Ferro: I did not know this.

Rachel (putting the gun down): You do now.

Ferro: This posses a problem.

Rachel: Yeah right.

Ferro: No, seriously.

Rachel: I don't want to hear it.

Ferro: Look. If it wasn't for his arrogance, and his self-importance, I find him to be attractive, but his personality grates like course sandpaper against mine.

Rachel: Because you don't give him a chance in being himself. That you see of him is an act that he puts up. Deep inside, he is a very nice man, who loves his girlfriends unconditionally, giving of himself for them. And No, I don't want you to be his next girlfriend.

Ferro (holding back from laughing): He and I are adults. What do you know about love and relationships?

Rachel: I know from what he teaches me, what he shows me, in what he tells me to expect in a relationship. And if I were not his daughter, I would give him of myself to him willingly even though he should be getting more than what a little girl like me can give him.

Ferro: You don't know what you are saying.

Rachel: I know more than you can ever will. Having been raped several times messed me up on what sex is about, but he tried to fix that. And now I'm no longer messed up in the head about sex. I also know that love and sex can exist together or separately, and where each belongs in a relationship. Fathers and daughter relationships can be sexual but not for us. Those that do are twisting their love for each other into a perverted direction that should not belong there. He and I don't do that, even though we, especially I, may want it that way, we just don't. That says that our love for each other is greater than what we can physically give, and I can accept that. But as for sex, yes, I am wanting of it at times, but I aint screwing around. Unlike some of the other handlers and cyborgs chatter I have heard about.

Ferro can only gawk at her for the moment.

Ferro: So you know about the other relationships here.

Rachel: I know that some of the girls are screwing their brothers or fathers here. I'm not one of them.

Ferro: I want to know who.

Rachel: Why don't you bug the rooms and find out who they are.

Ferro: This is so wrong…

Rachel: And? I know this world is full of sick people. If it weren't, my first time with a man would not have been at the age of 6.

Ferro almost looked like she was about to throw up.

Rachel: I know that this job has a lot of stress. And that stress comes out in some ways. Including sexually. So don't be surprised that some of the fratello teams are having sex. It is bound to happen because you got girls strung up on some conditioning drug that forces them to love their male handlers, and are willing to do anything for them, including dropping their panties for them. Or that thought never entered your head.

Ferro: What about you?

Rachel: I would, but not because of the conditioning drug makes me too. I been wanting too for a long time, but we cant and wont, so I do my best for him in everything else. But if you ever dropped your panties for him, I don't want to know about it because I will get jealous of you. And you better not hurt him, because I will kill you if you do.

Ferro: So much from a cyborg.

Rachel: I am not a cyborg. I am a teenage girl with wants and needs, who just happen to have cyborg implants. That's how he sees it, and how I see myself.

They both look at each other for the moment.

Rachel: You going to leave my father alone? What ever it is I can deal with it for him, because we do not keep secrets from each other.

Ferro: I will deal with him when he gets better.

Ferro starts to take a step back, turn around and walk away. No sooner had she taken her second step, Rachel says something out loud.

Rachel: My father would not be sending cyborg secrets to his supervisor through email.

Ferro froze in mid step.

Rachel: If he wanted to send secrets, he has his ways of committing covert actions covertly.

Ferro turn around to her.

Ferro: How do you know about that?

Rachel: I'm his cyborg. I'm supposed to know everything that he deals with.

Ferro: Only the supervising handlers know about this.

Rachel: And why you have the handlers following him, to make sure that either we don't run away or he meet up with somebody in secret… I know about that too.

Ferro: Again, how do you know that?

Rachel: Again, I'm his cyborg. I'm supposed to know everything that he deals with.

Ferro: Again, only the supervising handlers are supposed to know this.

Rachel: We wont run. He's here to do his job for both agencies and for me, since I require certain medicals needs that only you- this agency can give me. On that much, you can expect him to give it his all best, and I will for him- not you or this agency.

Ferro: You definitely need a conditioning rewrite.

Rachel raises Fernando's gun at her.

Rachel: Conditioning is telling me to put the gun down, which is why I wont pull the trigger. But don't expect this to hold forever- for the more you threaten me with conditioning rewrite mind rapes, the less conditioning will hold me from pulling the trigger. So don't you fucking dare.

Ferro: You are some fucking little bitch.

Rachel: You better believe it.

Ferro: Tell Fernando that I want to see the both of you when he gets better.

Rachel: When he gets better. Not before.

Ferro gives her a mean looking scowl before she starts to walk away again.

Rachel quietly enter's Fernando's room and then comes back out with a chair from inside. Once she closes the door as quietly as possible, she puts the chair against the door and sits on it. She places her handler's gun on her lap and waits.