Shortish chappie, sorry about the wait, bit of action in this one. There's more in the next one, honest.

DISCLAIMER: What happened, I'm still not the owner of Sands! Damn.

"Now, where were we?

"Ah yes, you refused to tell me how many agents you had rounded up for this class project of yours."

The bar was virtually empty, it was dingy, ill-lit and small. Walls painted dark blue, with crude neon signs flashing on and off, which 'Joe' thought was a weird thing to notice at a time like this.

'Think tactics and you'll be fine.' Ice Queen's voice echoed in his mind. Since seeing the smirk on the target's face, he had been having second thoughts about exterminating contact with his colleagues.

There was nothing he could do though, the target's point would be emphasized if he put the earplug back in now.

Heartbeat racing, he looked around the bar again. A couple of drunks hunched over drinks dotted here and there, but no one who would do anything if he shot the target. And that was his plan, shoot the target, drag him away, be the hero.

His fingers twitched at the gun holstered at his thigh.

Eventually, he returned his focus to the target, who now looked rather impatient.

Sand's brow furrowed at the ever lengthening silence, why had this cocky rookie suddenly shut up? Something wasn't right.

"Ok then, let's try something else. Is there anyone else in here working with you? Are you cheating on me?"

How stupid actually is this guy? Sands was beginning to doubt his presumptions, he had been fucked with before, he didn't want this to reoccur.

A short sharp laugh offended his ears.

"You still think I'm going to sing to you, don't you? You're more fucked up than they told me you were." 'Joe's voice was loud, too loud.

Sands didn't need eyes to tell that a fair few heads had already turned. He chuckled ever so quietly, this was the oldest trick in the book. 'Joe' was scared, he was using the fall-back tactic. If all else fails, make people notice you. Because everyone knows the bad guy doesn't want to be noticed.

It's time to show this fuckmook who he's dealing with.

"Want to watch yourself? Or would you rather everyone in the whole joint hears what you have to say?" He looked around conspiringly, speaking in a low whisper.

"What you afraid of, eh? That people will notice? Too late, buddy." He could hear the grin, he could actually hear it.

"Well the real question is this, what are you afraid of? Seems to me you're calling for help." Sands said placidly. "It's not too late to tell me how many hit men you've got in here."

"Look, there's no one else, just you and me."

"Want to get a room?"

'Joe' twitched, he had no idea what Ice Queen had been talking about, there was no matter about getting the target angry, the target was getting him angry as it was. Unfortunately for 'Joe', when he gets wound up, he retaliates.

"Do you? You can lead the way if you want. Oh wait… you can't." 'Joe' audibly grinned.

Sands stared at him, with a long, cold, hard stare. He heard the agent shift his weight uncomfortably. He smiled inwardly, though never ruining his emotionless mask. Then he heard something that didn't make him smile.

A sharp rustle.

A loud click of a gun being cocked.

"Did you hear that, traitor? That's the sound of justice."

Sands wasn't broken. Sands never breaks.

"Justice? Bullshit, more like." Sands whispered calmly. "Tell you what, Mr. Justice. I think that it would be much nicer to the wonderful owner of this bar, if we were to step outside for a wee bit while I kill you, wouldn't want any civilians getting their brains blown out, now would we?"

It was a long shot, but it was a more than plausible one. He could tell this from the silence as 'Joe' mulled the thought over in his mind. The wait was painful, and his gun felt so heavy in his pocket, yearning to be picked up. He threw away the doubts, they were useless, running on nothing but pure adrenaline. As is the way.

"Fair enough." 'Joe' finally replied.

With a smirk, Sands got to his feet. And in one quick movement, his gun was out and cocked. He lunged wildly at where he thought 'Joe' was. Rewarded with a shoulder, he pushed him onto the counter. A smash and a splat proclaimed a fallen beer.

Without hesitation, the gun was aimed at 'Joe's head. He didn't try to say anything, the pain in his back where he folded over the counter was too great.

Sand's leaned in close, a menacing grin on his lips. 'Joe' could smell alcohol and cigarette smoke in the man's breath. All he could think, over and over again was: when did I get him angry?

"Say goodbye, 'Joe'." Sand's said so heartlessly, he didn't seem human.

'Joe' couldn't believe it, he was going to die. Frantically, his mind searched for the reason why. It had betrayed him and shut down, he felt so alone, he felt-

BANG!

Hmmm, how much of a cliffhanger was that? Not really, maybe.

Reviews

Welcome to websurfer, a new reviewer! Hope you'll stick around.
Black as Gold- you flatter me too much, I just have a very descriptive and visual mind, but thanks all the same
Fanfiction fanatic- ok, not so sure there's so much action in this chappie, but there may be tension...
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