March 18, 1981

Ronan Safehouse 1

Manhatten, New York, USA

Seeing the other men were conversing among themselves, he decided to take the perfect opportunity to test out his new weapons.

He walked over to the indoor shooting range and claimed a small cubby. Pressing the button on the stand beside him, he began to first stage with just three targets that stood up.

Taking hold of the Hand Cannon he aimed at the target in the middle and fired. He was suprised to see how much recoil it had. He got ready and aimed for the second and fired, and again with the third, taking the first round to get used to it.

By the time he had reached the fith round he wqs swiftly shooting each now moving target directly in the bullseye. He rapidly fired the weapon, making it look like he was moving faster than the ordinary soldier. Unlike most bullets, this gun had enough force that it's bullets penetrated the targets, putting a hole right through them. He could hear the men over his shoulder whispering and asking each other questions.

Setting the pistol aside he picked up his silented sniper and gave it some attention.

"Where did you get training like that from?" William and two gaurds had snuck up behind him after he shot a target. The man sounded highly impressed.

"Nobody, I taught myself." Bell said, taking another shot.

"You mean to tell me, that you taught yourself how to become an expert marksman?" He asked, a bit suprised.

"Amongst some other things, but yes." He lied, straight through his teeth. If only his new friend knew what he was like during his early stages of training. Anyone would have just turned the other way, appauled at the lack of self control and talent he had. He barely even knew how to hold a weapon, much less reload it. It was a miracle he had been taught under Perseus.

"Ronan said that you were gonna take me with you? I thought that we had a deal?! YOU help ME." He set aside his amazment as he scolded Bell.

"Well I changed the terms." He said calmly, setting down his sniper and picking up his pistol, observing it.

"And you, a stranger, cannot just walk in here and become one of Ronan's most talented men!" He sounded jelous.

"I could have easily denied the offer to have you tag along with me!" Bell spun on his heel, aiming his pistol at the man's chest. "Everyone knows how useless you are! Thats the whole reason you needed my help in the first place. Ronan was just going to kill you off, do away with you, but I figured you might could be of use. But maybe I should just bring him your head right now." He pulled the hammar of the weapon.

William stayed silent for a moment as he shot Bell an angry glare. "Fine." He huffed. "But-" He was cut off.

"There are no 'buts' Mr. Bell. Your in no position to negotiate. If I were you I'd be grateful for having air in your lungs right now." He said firmly, lowering his weapon. Walking away from the man he decided to pick some fresh new clothes to wear for the mission later.

He grabbed a black leather jacket, fedora, and boots, along with a pair of khakis and dark red shirt. "You might want to pick something out, I don't think having blood stains all over you will set well with passing civilians." He said over his shoulder to William.

Queens, New York

A few hours had passed and they arrived at a building just across the street from the resturant Barnes was supposed to be meeting his contact.

"So what exactly are we doing?" William asked Bell.

"Cool assasin stuff." Bell said as he helped the other man up the ladder and onto the roof.

"I know, but whos who here?"

"Ronan wants us to eleminate the contact Barnes is supposed to meet up with tonight. Something about the guy being a large contact for supplies. I don't know, I don't really care, as long as I get paid." Bell took the large strapped case off of his back, setting it down and putting together his sniper.

"So what will I do?" He watched as Bell slipped the scope and stand on.

"Here." He handed William a camera and a picture of their target. "Keep an eye out for Barnes and his contact, they should arriving within the next fifteen minutes or so. Once you find him I want a before and after shot." Bell put a pair of leather gloves on.

"Roger that captain!" William responded eagerly.

"Sir, we're in position." Bell said over comms to his new boss.

"Wonderful, your target should be wearing a blue blazer and black cap. Hold tight for a few moments, they'll be arriving soon."

"Copy." Bell said.

"So, boss, tell me a bit more about yourself. Whats your favorite color, food, weapon? Got a family?" His new friend tried making conversation.

"This isn't twenty questions Will." He said over his shoulder as William crouched beside him.

"Oh come on, its not like I'm asking for your deepest darkest secret. Plus who would I tell. Plus-"

"If I answer some of your questions will you stop talking?" He asked, giving in.

"For the time being, yes." He said cheerfully.

"Don't have a favorite color, I'll eat almost anything that isn't slimy, I'm more of a run and gun type of person so anything I can get my hands on but I prefer a pistol. And family... no."

"A wife?" He asked

Bell remained silent.

"Or perhaps, a love interest..?" The man raised an eyebrow, seeing he might be getting somewhere. He saw Bell narrow his glance, confirming his suspicions.

"What was her name?"

"She's dead, William. Very much dead." He raised his tone a bit, letting William know to back off.

"Sorry." He apalogized

Bell didn't respond. In his mind he had no idea if Park was alive, he'd like to think she was dead. It would make things much easier, he hoped she thought the same of him. He couldn't bare to think about the possibility that help didn't arrive in time. The thought was always in the back of his mind, making itself known from time to time, never really leaving him alone. She was his spectre.

"Hey, I think I'v got eyes." William intterupted his deep train of thought.

"On who?" Ronan asked.

"Barnes."

"I see him, his contact shouldn't be far behind then." Bell followed the man into the building through his scope. Looking down, he watched as he was seated on the second floor, directly against the window.

"Here comes our target." William said. "Go ahead and fire."

"Negative, you'll need a positive ID Mr. Bell." Ronan reminded him.

"I see him, out ID is positive." Bell saw the man walk down the street, approaching the resturant.

"Good, take the shot." His boss replied.

"Firing." Bell took a deep breath and held it as he aimed fired effortlessly. The man collpased to the ground in front of the the resturant. With a bullet in his skull he was surrounded in a pool of his own blood.

"Target is down sir." William informed Ronan as he took a few pictures.

"Good, report back to the safehouse and I'll have your payment in full Mr. Wayne."

"On our way." Bell tapped out of comms as he quixkly packed up his things. "Come on, we need to get out of here before the police begin their search." He said over the loud screams of civilians seeing the dead body laying there.

Manhatten

"Mr. Wayne, Mr. Bell." Ronan cheerfully greeted two as the duo approached his desk.

"Sir." They both said.

"Heres your confrimation." William handed him the photos.

"Wonderful." He slid the large black case towards Bell. "I trust you will be reaponsible with your payment."

"Don't I get a share too?" William asked

"I'm leaving that up to your superior, William." Ronan said, looking towards Bell.

William shot Bell a angry glance.

"We'll talk about it later." Bell assured him.

"Here take these." The older man leabed across his desk to hand Bell a set of keys. The key had a symbol he recognized.

"You can't be serious?" Bell asked, shocked.

"It's yours. That cars just been collecting dust, I guess everyone is to afraid to claim it plus I don't drive it. Go ahead, take it for a spin."

"Thank you sir." Bell smiled, shaking his hand.

"Of course."

William followed Bell as he rushed outside to see a parked Aston Martin DB5. He got in the car and started up the engine.

"Wow." Was all Bell could say as he rubbed his hands up around the steering wheel.

"I'd kill to have something like this." William said also in awe.

"Well I guess in a way I did kill to have this." Bell replied.

They returned to Bell's loft once they had taken the luxry car for a spin outside the city.

"Here." Bell placed the case on a table in his loft. He opened it and gave his partner 3,000 of his 8,000. "Don't even ask for more, your lucky you even got 1,000." He said shutting the case.

"Thanks." The man replied with a sigh. He was grateful for the money he just wished he didn't have to be paired with such a dull partner.