"So, do you understand your mission?"

"For the most part. You still haven't told me who I'm supposed to be looking for."

"An Upstart. Nothing more."

He sighed and stood up, stretching luxuriously.

"Going through an awful lot of trouble for an Upstart. After all, you did call me."

The three men smiled benignly. Not that Riley fell for it. He knew the ruthlessness behind those smiles. "That we did." Said the man in the middle. "You are the only one who can do this."

He looked at them, emerald eyes searching. He smirked. "You're scared of him. He presents a threat doesn't he." It was more a statement than a question.

The man in the middle grimaced. "Always perceptive aren't you Riley?"

"Of course. It's part of what makes me the best. So why are you scared of this one?"

"Not scared," the man on the left said breezily. "Concerned for the well being of the public more like."

"He doesn't seem much different then from the usual people I bring in."

"Glad you can find the humor in this. In any event you don't get paid to question why we say a certain person needs to be apprehended Griffin."

Riley's eyes narrowed. When they called him Griffin he knew he was getting somewhere. They were clearly afraid of his next target, or they wouldn't have called him in. Riley could barely keep the smirk off his face. They needed him, not the other way around.

"So who is it?" He asked, anxious to start the Hunt.

The man on the right pushed a dossier towards him.

Riley opened it and felt his world begin to crash down around him as the last face he ever thought he'd see again grinned up at him from the photograph.

.He's supposed to be in New Zealand.

-PRDC-

Riley was only vaguely aware that he was standing in front of his bosses with his mouth agape. Inside he was remembering:

An affectionate arm tossed around his shoulders as they walked. The older talking animatedly while the younger listened in amusement.

Free running through Amber Beach.

The five of them and later ten crowding into a too small booth, pushing tables together in an attempt to make more room, and talking and laughing over burgers and fries.

A teasing, kiwi accent calling him Baby Raptor. Goading him. Always goading him.

A beautiful, toothy, smile wide with warmth and humor.

Knowing he was a part of something bigger. That he was a Hero.

"Trying to catch flies, Riley?"

With an audible snap he closed his mouth and turned an annoyed gaze towards the three men. "Just doesn't seem like my usual. Even I get surprised at times."

Chase, you Moron, what did you do?

The three men returned Riley's stare levelly. "You can't afford to be surprised or any other word synonymous with it." The man in the middle said. " You are a Bounty Hunter. This is your quarry."

"Chase Randall," Riley read, "doesn't look like much. And definitely not worthy of my time."

"You're not a fool Riley, don't act like one." Said the man in the middle.

Riley snapped the file closed as his temper flared. "I am the best you have and don't you forget it. I have never failed to bring anyone in and I won't start now. You need me, not the other way around." He snarled.

And with that Riley turned and walked out, without so much as a backward glance.

The three men looked at each other before trading satisfied smiles. Then they too, left.

-PRDC-