The next week passed uneventfully. With the four women back from Vegas, Bill was able to pile on assignments again...much to his delight.

After he and Bea's little tryst in the backyard, Bill felt a great deal more warmly towards Beatrix than he did the week before.....perhaps even more than he ever had before. Maybe it was because he'd gotten that close to sleeping with her, or maybe it was because he'd discovered a newfound respect for her. Either way, things were pretty cozy between them for the moment.

At the end of the week he called her up, saying that he had an assignment set up for her and Budd. But there was something of a twist to it...and best she come over to get the full explanation.

When Beatrix arrived, Bill and Budd were in the living room having drinks with a third man. This man was much shorter than both of them. He looked to be in his late thirties, maybe early forties and had poor posture. He had dark, somewhat greasy straight hair parted on the side and combed over in a style looking far out of place in the current decade. He was far from attractive, with a pair of bulgy looking dark eyes, bad skin and a set of teeth that looked as if he hadn't been to the dentist since the last time he checked his hair fashion. He looked a hell of a lot like Steve Buscemi. His clothing was likewise awful...it didn't seem to fit right...and.it looked like it belonged in a 1970's bowling alley. He seemed to like allot of "UPS brown" and orange. Standing with Bill and Budd, they made a truly bizarre picture.

When Beatrix entered, Bill gave her a smile, "Kiddo...this is your current client....Paul."

"Call me Paulie," the short man said in a nasally voice, staring at Beatrix.

"Paulie," Bill corrected himself with a small smirk in Beatrix's direction, "This is Black Mamba....she will be, along with Sidewinder here...executing your target."

"Excellent," Paulie grinned, bad teeth and all, "You're...really hot...for an assassin I mean, sorry..." he flicked his gaze around nervously. "Sorry..that was stupid..." he smacked himself in the side of the head. Bill stared at the man, obviously trying not to laugh. "Anyways....." he looked back at Beatrix, "Paulie here....has a condition on his contract, he wishes to come along with you two to witness the killing," he shrugged, "He is willing to pay extra...and I've agreed to this in the past."

"I'm having my brother killed," Paulie announced without being prompted, "He stole my wife. Bastard!"

Bill raised an eyebrow, glancing at Budd with amusement. "Your intentions are your own Paulie....we're just here for the service."

"Of course, of course..." Paulie nodded quickly, trying to look cool and lean on the bar. "I"m all business...yeah...all the way."

Bill coughed, hiding a chuckle.

Beatrix stood near Bill with a prominent expression of 'what the fuck' plastered across her face. When she had first walked in she thought this Paulie was some sick, twisted, and rather immature joke but she was wrong. Bill was seriously going to send herself and Budd on a job to kill off this retarded asshole's brother. She had on a pair of camel corduroy pants and a peasant blouse of similar browns and blues. Arms were crossed over her chest and flowing sleeves flowed in her movements. Blonde locks were let down to spill over her shoulders and blue eyes darted between the three gentleman.

"Where's the target?" She asked in an all out business demeanor to hide her amusement.

"Only an hour east of here," Budd answered her. He flashed her a friendly smile which she returned. Budd gave her no reason to become territorial so she was fine with putting on a friendly act. She gave a tight nod to follow and her gaze dropped to Bill. Her temperature was warm when she looked at Bill now. As he had gained new respects and feeling for her, Bea had done the same. It was a welcoming change.

"So," she turned back to Paulie. She plastered herself with a fake smile to keep from grimacing or bursting out in laughter. "What can we expect from your brother?"

Bill had put a hand across his mouth, trying to look pensive...but it was all an effort not to laugh. He always tried to remain as businesslike as possible....but even his couth demeanor had its limits. Paulie looked at Beatrix with his googily eyed expression of awe, "He's a real asshole.....big guy....," he put a hand a few feet about his head for emphasis, "Tough...nothing like me really....maybe that's why my wife would rather sleep with him," he shrugged his droopy shoulders, "Anyways, he likes guns a lot...shotguns and such...he's a bow hunter and is a mean fighter."

"He lives in a trailer in Southern Texas," Bill added, with some distain.

"Yeah...yeah that's right," Paulie nodded rapidly, swiping a few strands of greasy hair out of his face, "He lives there...with my wife..."

Bill turned towards Beatrix, holding a finger up at Paulie, as if to say "just a moment" He leaned close to her ear, which was easy when you were nearly the same height, "This guy is richer than the Count of Monte Cristo," he whispered, "He is paying an ungodly amount of money to play 'bad boy' with you two. I know he's an annoying shit, but just let him tag along...he's harmless and his target is probably some white trash fucker with a beer gut. Believe me, the pay off will be worth it. Besides, it will probably be the highlight of this worm's life." He pulled away an amused glint in his eye, giving her a smile.

Paulie had been standing on his tip toes, trying to look around Bill's head the whole time. He quickly fell back against the bar when Bill turned back around. It was perhaps the worst cover up job in history.

"So.....what do you say......Black Mamba?" Paulie asked, trying to sound smooth. He crossed one ugly brown shoe over the other as he continued to lean on the bar.

The tall blonde threw her hands up in defeat. "Hell, I say sure. Why not?" She despised tag-a-longs but she'd put up with it because Bill had asked her too and he was 'nice' about it. Not that she wouldn't do anything for him any way but the added whisper was a nice touch.

Budd whom was standing by the bar a few feet from Paulie eyed Beatrix and Bill questionably. He let it slide and walked away from the bar, hands in his pockets in a smooth demeanor. He made a rather disgusting sound in-between his teeth that sounded similar to sucking out a piece of food. He sauntered over to the other side of the tall blonde and nonchalantly put an arm around her shoulders. "You can count on us, Paulie. Black Mamba and I, we work real well together." He gave Bea's shoulder an added squeeze.

Beatrix side glanced to Budd with a glare that sent daggers and read; why are you touching me? "Oh, yeah. We work really damn well--together," she bent her elbow and thrust into his side gut. The movement was quick and sly but effective. Budd made a low groan and backed off. The blonde shrugged her shoulders as if to free herself of Budd's essence. "Shall we go?"

Bill glared at Budd with venomous distaste. He didn't give a shit what Budd thought, but he hated it when his brother acted so abrasive. If he wanted to be an asshole, at least he should be smooth about it. He narrowed his eyes at the younger man as he put his arm around Beatrix. Luckily Beatrix found it equally as annoying and physically removed Budd from the situation.

"Oh good!" Paulie pushed off of the bar, "I'm already packed all of my gear." He hoisted a duffel bag onto his shoulder that looked like it weighed as much as him, he nearly lost his footing and had to put a hand on the side of the couch to keep from falling over. "I'm.....all set..." he huffed.

Bill looked extremely humored, "Yes you are.....Well," he clapped his hands together, "Off you go.....I think Paulie here is providing the transportation," he nodded at Budd and Beatrix. Paulie made a thumbs up gesture, "Right-O Billy....and a sweet set of wheels she is."

Bill's lip twisted with utmost amusement.

Paulie stumbled towards the door, the duffel bag leading the way, "Come on guys...let's go kill that fucker!" He squinted as soon as he got out in the sun and headed for a huge bright yellow Hummer in the driveway. Budd made somewhat of a limp out the door after Paulie. He was exaggerating his injury in a rather ridiculous manner. Beatrix found this all too funny and she'd have to put a stopper on her mouth to keep from laughing her ass off the entire trip.

Before leaving she turned to Bill. "I'll be back with cool stories on this one," she assured quietly. She leaned in and placed a tender kiss on his cheek before bounding back. "Bye Billy." Bill smiled at Beatrix, "You'd better," he replied softly. He could only imagine what sort of amusement was about to ensue. He felt both pity and envy for her and Budd on this one.....very rarely did something so ludicrously silly come across in their line of work. He watched Beatrix turn and go with a look of blatant fondness.

When Beatrix walked outside and slid on her fashionable pair of sunglasses she peered over to see Budd had taken the front seat and Paulie was at the wheel. Her muscles settled knowing that Budd would have to put up with Paulie the duration of the ride and she could hide away in the back. Settled in the back seat Beatrix turned her head to the window.

"Comfy?" Budd inquired to the slender blonde with a turn over his shoulder.

"Quite," she replied smoothly and for an added effect stretched her long legs over the remainder of the seat. This was going to be a long ride.

"So, I tell the guy....yeah, well you can just kiss my ass," Paulie was onto his seventh story in thirty minutes of driving "And....," he laughed, "...and....so...ya know what I did? Ya know what I did? I...," he snorted, "....I turn around and moon him! I couldn't believe I did it....ya know, I'm not really into exposing myself in public, but this guy...he had it comin' I'm tellin' ya!" Paulie looked even smaller behind the wheel of the ridiculously huge Hummer. "And the look on the lug's face..." he whistled, "Boy, he was madder than a nest of hornets!" He whistled again and louder for emphasis. It become very clear, that once Paulie started talking it was hard to get him to stop. He had hardly even given Budd any time to react to his "funny" story, before he turned around to look at Beatrix. He seemed to think he could drive with his head turned, "Hey, you comfortable Black Mamba? I could get you a blanket or some pillows from the back. I have a whole bed set in the trunk if ya want that. My wife used to like that." Another thing about Paulie, he seemed to bring up his estranged wife every two minutes or so. It was sorta sweet, he seemed to really love the woman who'd dumped him for his brother.

Without even waiting for Beatrix's answer, he thankfully turned back to the road, "Hey! Only...one and half hours to go guys. Then...." he created a gun gesture with his hand, and made an explosive noise from his mouth that sounded something like ten year old boys do when playing with super soaker guns. "Oh, oh! Hey Sidewinder," he liked to use their code names a lot too, "..I've gotta tell you about this time I went to this party....it was really wicked...."

"You really don't hafta," Budd started but Paulie had already begun his story. Budd harshly hit his head back against his seat in a futile attempt to knock himself out. These attempts failed miserably and he hastily turned back to Beatrix. She was contently lying across the back seat, arms folded over her chest, and blue eyes shaded behind her sunglasses. It was hard to tell exactly what the blonde was thinking but Budd knew she was probably having a hell of allotta fun with this.

"Hey Bea," Budd began in a low tone. Paulie was still blabbering away. When he caught her attention he made a motion. "Would you mind?"

Slender brows raised and she shook her pretty blonde head. "What if I need you?"

Budd shrugged his shoulders. "I dunno. Throw cold water over me."

Beatrix gave him a look. "No." She said more sternly. There was no way in hell she was going to knock him out just to avoid Paulie's stories. "Besides, we only have an hour left." Budd scowled and turned back around.

Thankfully all things come to an end, and that included being stuck in the car with Paulie. Southern Texas was basically nothing but desert....hot, dusty, and brown as far as the eye could see. Paulie's brother lived in one of the numerous trailer parks that resided in that expansive desert. This particular trailer park was called, "Rolling Green Fields Trailer Community and Recreational Center." The given title was well.....just slightly off base.

Paulie swerved around a fallen trash can, where a sea of beer bottles had spilled out all over the dirt road. Broken lawn chairs and a cracked television set were lying close by in an arrangement that could of perhaps made them a modern art sculpture. Most of the trailers were dumpy ten footers that were dust worn and spotted with rust. There was a particularly unpleasant smell in the air, as if a number of people hadn't checked their septic tanks in sometime. In short, it was a fucking dump.

Taking Beatrix and Budd's advice, they went around the back way. A huge bright yellow Hummer didn't exactly blend in with the Pinto's and pick up trucks. Besides, Paulie's wife knew he owned the car.... best to not alert anybody.

Once they had parked the car behind one of the park's few water towers, Paulie jumped out and ran around to the back. He began unpacking his gear excitedly.

Beatrix was leaning against the hood of the Hummer. Arms daintily folded over her chest, boots crossed at the ankles, and blue eyes darted behind her sunglasses. "Deja-vu," she muttered to herself.

Budd was standing nearby and raised a brow in the blonde's direction. "Huh?" Her head moved a fraction in his direction. "I used to live in one of these places."

"Really?"

She nodded tightly. "Yes, but only for two years and than we moved."

"Hey guys, should I bring my inferred goggles? Or what about my trip wire watch and pin set?" This is what happens when wannabe assassin dorks are insanely rich. "I should probably change into my all black body suit and facial mask! Oh, hey Black Mamba I brought one for you.....it might be a little tight......"

Budd chuckled and tipped his head. He licked his lips. "That'd be mighty fine." Beatrix proceeded to stare off into the vast desert of trailers and other various unsanitary items. "I'll stick with what I have on."

Paulie gave Beatrix a disappointed look, "Ok...suit yourself." He then proceeded to squeeze himself into the tight black suit...over his other clothing...which just looked goddamn ridiculous. But, at this point...nobody was too surprised. After a few more minutes of "gearing up" Paulie finally seemed ready. "Alright," he said, his voice muffled under his black ski mask...which was probably hotter than hell in the heat, "I'm ready guys...." He pointed into the scattering of dumpy trailers, "He lives in that one...." A slightly more brown trailer amongst other brown trailers. "Remember," he looked up at Budd and Beatrix, "I want to be right there...that was part of the deal....I want to see the look on his face." Apparently even rich dorks were masochistic bastards.

The trio then headed for the trailer. As they approached, Paulie turned to the two assassins, "I...I'm not really sure how you guys go about this....I'll follow along.....yeah.....that's it.." He let the two of them go ahead, as he fell in a step behind.

Budd side glanced to Beatrix before he ascended up the set of rusty metal steps to the front or in this case side trailer door. He waited for his partner to follow.

Beatrix made a quick turn on the black suited, lanky tag-a-long. Her gaze was stern and daunting as she stared down at him. "We may have a deal but if you get in our way, cause any kind of mishap, or put myself or my partner at unnecessary risk your brother won't be the only one dead." Her threat placed out on the table she turned on her heels and sauntered up the stairs.

"Was that necessary?" Budd inquired as he leaned into Beatrix's ear. She shrugged and glanced over her shoulder. "Yes." She turned back to Budd. "I'm not getting my ass kicked because that moron decides he wants to play assassin."

Budd didn't reply as began to fiddle with the doorknob. Lucky for them it was open; no one ever kept their trailers locked in these types of places. The door swung open with a squeak. Budd extended his arm and put on a lopsided smile, "Ladies first."

Her expression placid Beatrix took a step inside. The trailer was typical. Food boxes were scattered over the floor with various laundry piles and buzzing insects. The door they had entered through opened up to the kitchen and farther down the narrow hallway the echo of a television could be heard. Black Mamba put herself on stealth mode as she inched along the cardboard walls and down the hallway. She paused at the end and peered around the corner. Sitting in a rugged recliner in front of the television was an equally rugged man. The man looked nothing like Paulie. He was macho, all muscle, grisly, greasy light brown hair, and looked like your typical trailer park white trash.

"So?" Budd questioned from behind Beatrix in a whisper. "Sneak up on 'em?" The blonde nodded.

Just then, another person entered from the opposite side of the trailer, where the one and only "bedroom" sat behind a thin door skin wall. It was a woman...and she was carrying a pile of extremely dirty laundry in her arms. She was thirty something, plump-ish but with a very pretty face. She had slightly frizzy short strawberry blonde hair and moved quickly for a woman her size. This had to be Paulie's wife and his brother's current "roommate with benefits." At first, she didn't notice the two assassins pressed up against the wall heading to the "living room" But, with a small shriek she dropped the laundry and threw herself up against the nearby wall.

Paulie, who had been hanging back after being warned by Beatrix, jumped from his post on the metal stairs. He instantly recognized his wife's shriek. He put a hand over his ski masked mouth in an effort to not yell anything.

"Who are you?" Paulie's wife yelled eyes large with freight. "What are you doing in my home? GEORGE!!!!!" She yelled loudly into the living room, "Did you not pay the rent again???"

Budd and Beatrix exchanged amused looks before casting eyes on the strawberry blonde. "What the 'ell?" George muttered in annoyance from his place on the recliner. He reluctantly jabbed the button on the remote and the television flickered off. He rose to his feet, towering at a good 6'3'', wearing a white tank top that was stained with hell only knew what, and a pair of baggy jeans that looked just as greasy as his hair.

Why the hell Paulie's wife left him for this guy was beyond Beatrix. Of course, Paulie wasn't much of a looker himself so there was a debatable toss up between which brother was worse. George took a few steps into the small hallway, or area that separated the kitchen from the living room and settled bulging green eyes on the two strangers. "Who da 'ell are you?"

Beatrix put on a calm demeanor. "You didn't pay the rent," she reinstated. Budd hid his grin with a firm leveled façade. "That's right sir. And we came to make ya 'pay' for it."

"I ain't paying a fucking thing!" He roared in blatant aggravation. "Get the hell out of my trailer!" Beatrix didn't feel up to arguing. A hand steadily slipped to the hidden holster on her hip and removed the 9mm. "We want our money." Her tone turned icy. Budd followed in fashion and removed his own trusty fire-arm.

George didn't appear phased by the apparent weapons aimed at his head. Instead he nonchalantly put a hand to the side and pulled out a shot gun. He aimed at Budd. "Like shit you want money. Damn, I knew my brother could sink low but sending a bunch of shitheads, wannabe killers to hit me off is pathetic."

Beatrix pulled back the hammer. "Who said we were wannabe killers?"

"You don't look like you could kill a goddamn. You're too—"He paused. "You're too sexy. Reminds me of this cute assed bitch cheer leader I fucked in tenth grade." He let out an annoyingly nasal-pitched laughter. At least George and Paulie had one thing in common. But, his laughter was cut short when a glass vase residing on the counter beside George shattered into pieces, shards of glass spraying in all directions. The smoke cleared from the barrel of Beatrix's gun, her face was hard and emotionless. "You were saying?"

Paulie's wife stood watching this whole thing in shock and awe. She looked frightened, but she also looked fucking pissed...and she didn't seem like the kind of woman who was very gentle when she was angry. "JESUS CHRIST GEORGE!!!" She picked up a pair of underwear out of the pile, obviously George's and threw them at the him. "Ya don't pay the fucking rent....and this is the kind of shit that happens....you LAZY PIECE OF SHIT! I TOLD YOU!!" She didn't seem all that angry at the two assassins for nearly killing George, it appeared her hostility was thus far directed at the lump of a man in the wife beater. "And what did I tell you about talking about other women like that in front of me....and YOU JUST HIT ON A REPO WOMAN!" She threw another pair of underwear at him, "DUMBASS!"

Paule had been witnessing all of this with his face pressed up against a small dirty window above the kitchen sink. His breath kept fogging up the already dingy thin glass, and he kept having to wipe it away frantically....hoping he didn't miss a thing.

Paulie's wife threw her hefty arms up, "I don't care, shoot the fucker! He's a waste of space...he don't do nothin', he's terrible in bed, and.." she pointed a finger at George, "..he's meaner than a mad dog! I am beginnin' to wonder what I even saw in ya in the first place George!! I don't care! Break his kneecaps! Cut off his ear!"

Nothing like an attempted assassination to drudge up some good old American domestic violence.

Cutting off an ear sounded overly enticing to Budd and he regretted only stocking up on guns for this assignment. "You fuckin' bitch!" George exclaimed as he grabbed the piece of underwear hanging from the barrel of his shotgun and threw it the floor. Beatrix was beginning to wonder that if they just left George, Paulie's wife would do the dirty work for them. No, Beatrix was in the mood to kill someone anyway. Especially after she was referenced to as a cheer leader. The thought made her cringe. Hadn't she hit off a cheer leader once?

"How dare you mock my efforts in bed." Obviously George took offense to that type of thing. Clearly putting him out as a man who was a testosterone junkie. In this moment George turned the rifle on Paulie's wife. This put the two assassins on auto drive. Beatrix swiftly taking the upper hand that George was distracted and shot him just above the kneecap. She recalled someone saying that being shot in the kneecap hurt like all hell and it was a slow death leaving the opponent in paralyzed conditions. She didn't want that. This asshole deserved to suffer.

George let out a loud yell and misfired his rifle to go off just above Paulie's wife's head. The lamp bursting into shards. Budd quickly maneuvered to the left of George, his own gun poised. "Someone's waiting for ya out back ma'am," Budd's words directed to Paulie's wife. "I suggest getting out of harms way." Paulie's wife gave Budd a perplexed look, her pretty cheeks flushed with anger. Her eyes shot over to George who was writhing in pain on the floor, clutching onto his bleeding kneecap.

"You guys is serious....." she said in awe, knocking some bits of glass out of her fuzzy hair, "All them landlords ever did before was take a few of our lawn chairs and hold 'em for rent...if they was really really serious they'd take our TV...." she stared back down at George, a mixed expression on her face. But then suddenly she turned her nose up and spitting on the man she headed for the door, "Give my best to the new management," she nodded to Beatrix and Budd and slammed the door shut....leaving George to his fate.

She immediately spotted the short black clad figure standing nearby. Her blue eyes narrowed, "Paulie? Is that you?" Paulie slowly removed his ski mask, a shy look on his face. He nodded, "It's me Katie.....I've paid those two assassins to kill off George."

Katie's eyes bulged, "PAULIE YOU DUMB ASSHOLE!" She reared back and sent a meaty right hook across Paulie's weak jaw. He went flying a few feet back and landed flat on his back on the dusty ground. "Oh Paulie!!" Katie suddenly cried in pity and threw herself on top of his small frame, "I'm so sorry!! I should never have left you!" She smattered kisses all over his face, "I was wrong, you're the better man!"

Paulie looked utterly stunned, but slowly a goofy grin spread across his face, "I missed you Katie....I..I only wanted you back...well and I wanted George dead as well....but-"

Katie reared back again, "I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU HIRED ASSASSINS PAULIE!! THAT WAS REAL STUPID!!" She punched him in the face again. Paulie's head bounced off of the dirt, his eyes nearly rolling back into his head. "Oh Paulie!!" Katie once again began smattering him with kisses, "I'm so sorry!!" She picked his head and torso up by the neck and smashed his face into her ample bosom. She began rocking him in a motherly fashion, her hand pressing his face into her, "I'm sorry Paulie....your right...George is an awful person...he was no good to me....I was wrong.." Paulie replied with a muffled "Mmmfffm" It was amazingly bizarre what caused people to have a change of heart.

Meanwhile, Beatrix and Budd slowly approached the pitiful man withering on the floor. Blood began to pool around his leg and he cursed out in pain. "You fucking bitch. I'll kill ya, I swear. Mother-fucker."

Beatrix raised slender eye brows and exchanged a smirk of amusement with Budd. "It's be kinda tough to kill her if we're gonna kill you first," Budd intoned smoothly. The statement didn't seem to level with George as he reached, grabbed a cinder block that was used as door stop (what it was doing in the living room was up for debate), he swung it around, and made impact against the blonde's calf, seeing she was the closest. She let out a yelp of pain and before she could get a handle on herself George had roughly pulled her down to the floor. Obviously this man was more macho than first perceived. Beatrix may not weigh that much but it was still a task to get a grown woman on the floor.

Budd reacted by pulling back the hammer on his weapon and poised it threateningly at George. George reacted by picking up a shard of glass that had broken off from the vase earlier, took a handle full of blonde hair, pulled back, and placed the shard of glass against her jugular vein. "I'll do it you fucking asshole. Just watch me!" George yelled at Budd. He was just a 'little' irate. Beatrix was squirming as it was quite painful when anyone pulled on one's hair.

Budd began to slowly lower his gun. "We can talk about this," he began in a friendly under tone. "What if I don't wanna?" He gave another jerk to Beatrix's head. "Stop wiggling cunt." She ceased. "Now," George said in between labored breathes of anxiety. "I'll pay ya double the amount my brother is paying ya if you kill 'em and that jackass bitch he calls a wife."

"We only take directions from our employer," replied Budd. Actually, this was a known fact to all Vipers. If they were ever offered something from a target they were trained never to accept it. It could be bad for business as well as pose a threat to the squad.

There was loud commotion from inside the trailer. Paulie was sitting on the ground, holding his head. He looked a little out of it...but happy. Katie was sitting on the metal steps, her chin in her hand. She was frowning. "Are they really gunna kill 'em Paulie?" She asked.

Paulie nodded, "Oh yeah.....those guys are real killers.....the real thing Katie."

Katie shook her head in disbelief, "I hate George...he's a real dick, but I don't know if I want him dead." Paulie didn't look remorseful at all, "He's my brother...and I want him dead....I don't care...." George had tortured Paulie so bad as a child, that despite all of his money, Paulie was terribly unhappy. In his mind, the only way to rid himself of his inner turmoil was to rid himself of the sibling who had made him the nerd he was now. Paulie blamed George for everything.....

Paulie stood up suddenly, still a little uneasy on his feet. His wife could hit really hard. "I nearly forgot....I want to see that bastard die!" He made for the doorstep, "I want to see his face when he gets it!"

Katie stared up at her wimpy husband, a horrified look on her face, "That's sick Paulie...."

"I don't care," Paulie set his weak chin in determination, "I'm sorry Katie....but it's what I have to do." Since she refused to move off of the stairs, he simply stumbled over her...nearly tripping through the door. Paulie swung open the door to find the unexpected. George had that hot Black Mamba in his clutches....a piece of glass to her pretty throat. Some very well hidden noble male quality switched on in Paulie, he pointed at George, and raised his voice, "You get your hands off of her George! Right now!!"

Budd's brown eyes made a quick side glance to catch Paulie's dramatic entrance and than flicked back to keep a close eye on Beatrix and George. For some reason Budd was getting the impression he was in some sappy romance novel with a gory twist. George was chuckling loudly his body rumbling at the action. Beatrix would have found this hysterical if her head wasn't burning.

George was too busy laughing at his brother so Black Mamba replied casually. "It's real sweet of you...Paulie..." Blue eyes locked with Budd's and they exchanged unspoken words. "To play the hero, but," She winced. "I...don't... need one."

With that Budd kicked Beatrix's gun, which had dropped to the floor when she fell, the metal slid across the overly Pledged wooden flooring and was quickly whisked up by the blonde. She bent her elbow and thrust it sharply into George's chest. The bulky man fell back with a start and dropped the glass shard. Beatrix whipped around and put the cool metal barrel against George's forehead. Budd walked over and put his own barrel to the side of his head.

Both hammers clicked. George's face glazed over with horror. His eyes bulged. "Fuck! Paul! Paulie, my little brother. You don't wanna do this! Hell, I gave you everything, I was always there for you! After pop died who cared for you and ma? I did! Dammit. Don't do this."

Paulie's attempt at nobility was quickly fading. His hand dropped to his side. His beady eyes flicked around the three figures in the trailer. George was right of course....he had been there for Paulie...taken care of him when there was nobody there to do so. George had become the "father" like so many older brothers were forced to do in similar situations. Paulie swallowed, "You....you were..." his voice shook...he hadn't realized this was going to be so hard, "....you were never nice to me George.....you may have been there....but I...I didn't want you there.....you....you made me what I am today....you gave me nothing....but misery..."

Katie had stuck her head in behind Paulie and was watching this whole scene transpire with horror and fascination.

Paulie crossed his arms across his torso, hugging himself. He wasn't a killer...he may have been pretending to be, but he wasn't. He lacked that ability to shut off and coolly pull the trigger on a life. He was like most people really. He squeezed his eyes shut, "Your a horrible person George...your not my brother....and I hope you die...."

In killer terms the word die gave the okay to finish the job. Beatrix gave Budd a sadistic smile. "Ready?" Budd nodded and returned the smile but his wasn't as 'real' as Beatrix's was.

George was cursing pathetically at his brother and his whole body was shaking like a scared pussy. The tall blonde killer tilted her head down at George and her finger tensed on the trigger, Budd followed suit. Blue eyes locked once again with Budd.

"One," she breathed.

"Two," Budd lead on.

"Three," Both. The loud bang bang of both guns echoed through the small trailer. Blood, guts, and bone fragments sprayed from the front to the back and from one side to the other. The two assassins took a small step back and George's mutilated body collapsed to the floor.

Paulie had made the mistake of peeking at the last minute. He then promptly fainted. His body slumped against the nearest wall and slid to the floor. Katie, whom obviously possessed a stronger disposition than her husband, stared at the grisly scene with her mouth agape. She crossed her self, "Holy shit and Jesus Christ in fucking heaven," she very incorrectly quoted.

It took a few minutes to resuscitate Paulie, but he eventually came around. As they packed up the Hummer, he sat silent and pale on the metal stairs. Katie was insistent on leaving this dump that day and she packed up her few precious belongings into the trunk of the car. She then helped her shaky husband into the backseat, and letting one of the assassins drive, she sat with him...her arm around his shoulders. The drive back was spent in almost complete silence....apparently Paulie had lost his voice.

Beatrix and Budd couldn't have been happier that Paulie decided to shut up on the drive home. Budd requested to drive and Beatrix took the front seat. Seeing that silence was too enticing and the two killers couldn't decide on a radio station they started conversing.

"You think Bill would kill me if I stole his wife?" Budd questioned in a cool conversational tone. Beatrix stared through gold shaded sunglasses, her façade was placid. "Bill has a wife?"

Budd chuckled and proceeded a mock glare in her direction. "You know damn well what I mean, Bea. So stop fucking around it."

"Fine." She pulled herself up straight instead of slumping in the seat. "No, I don't think Bill would kill you for stealing anything."

"Even you?"

It was unclear how Beatrix physically or even emotionally reacted to that comment. She was staring away from him and wore a vacant expression. "You're the only man that Bill will ever love. He would never kill you." Budd gave a sharp nod as if he were pleased with his female counter part's reply. The rest of the drive was utter silence except for a few mumbled words from the back seat.

The solemn trip ended back at Bill's place. Paulie and his wife got out of the car to see off the two assassins. Paulie looked slightly better than before, but still shaken up. What he had seen would forever be engrained in his memory...if he was genuinely happier with that memory than his brother being alive was still up for debate. But Paulie had made his choice, and he had to live with it. Paulie shook the two assassin's hands, "Thank you....." he said a little hollowly, "Tell your boss.....I appreciate him letting me come along....I'll deposit the last half of the money tomorrow morning..." Obviously Bill would know what Paulie was talking about. Katie shook their hands likewise, "Cya folks around," she even smiled a little. Then, the couple got in the huge yellow Hummer and took off to live....well...moderately happily ever after.

"Stupid car," came Bill's voice from behind them. How long and exactly where he had been standing was a mystery, but he was there nonetheless...hands in his pockets, smirking. "I take it that was not your run of the mill assignment?"

Beatrix and Budd both fluidly turned around to come face to face with Bill. Budd was the first to reply with a hearty laugh. "Damn sure it wasn't. Was relatively easy and I don't hafta replace this shirt." He beamed overly proud at this fact.

Beatrix held a satisfied smirk on her face. She slid up the sunglasses to perch on the top of her head, bangs tucked back in the process. "It was...fun," she put in for enlightenment. "Budd, here was a real hero," she teased with good intentions. He laughed. "What happened to not needing a hero?"

She shrugged. "You're a better hero than Paulie."