February 13th, 2012

Stamford, Connecticut

WWE Headquarters

Dean comes into work, going straight for the elevator. Once he and Becky finished up in Denver, he was off on a flight later that day. They exchanged numbers. Even though he wasn't interested, it was nice to have another person to talk with. It seems he was befriending more people than he ever has. It worried him a little. Besides that, back to business. Off to Hunter's office, which is guarded by Paige.

"What's up Smilez?"

He goes for the door, but Paige blocks him off.

"You can't go in there right now."

"Why not?"

"Cody just got back and they're having a serious discussion right now."

"Fuck Cody."

Dean goes for the door again. Paige smacks his hand with her tablet.

"Damn!"

"I said no Dean."

Dean rubs his hand while pondering a thought. He snatches her glasses and holds them high in the air. Once she's close, Dean tickles her sides. Paige starts shaking and laughing hysterically.

"Dean sto-haha-I mean it-ahh!"

Hunter burst out of the office. Paige and Dean freeze like ice sculptures. Hunter groans, rubbing his eyes in annoyance.

"I gave you one job."

"I'm sorry sir."

"You know what...just go...file paperwork or something. I'll deal with you later. Ambrose, what do you want, this isn't a good time."

"Just came to catch you up on my Denver job?"

"We'll talk about that later."

"Why? What's going on?"

"This doesn't concern you."

"What you don't trust me? I'm a damn Lieutenant. If you can't let me in then what does the title even mean?"

Hunter sighs, closing the door, before explaining what happened.

February 11th, 2012

Milan, Italy

Cody Rhodes and his three man team kick back in their safe house. Cody at a table, cleaning his custom pistol. A Desert Eagle with an extended barrel, laser sight and hollow point bullets. All designed by Cody himself. His boys CJ, Garret and Woody were doing their own thing to kill time. Woody being the oldest at 42 years old. They were keeping watch on Carmen Del Rio, who had a hotel across the street. Tracing her calls, shadowing her movements, noting who she met across the city. Everything possible to get info on her connection to Alberto. Nothing solid yet, but her Supernova Fashion Show was coming up in a few days. This could be one of the last few chances they had. Cody was not one for failure.

"Jesus, how much longer we got here?" Asked Woody.

"Hopefully not too much longer. Got anything CJ?"

CJ was tasked with tracing all calls from Carmen's group. He was the youngest at 22.

"Nope. Just female chatter. Security been off the phones too. It's too suspect."

"Think they might be on to us boss?"

Cody twirled a pen, weighing every option. It's reasonable that Del Rio took some extra measures for his sister's safety. Even then, the time and resources spent on this job were valuable. Before Cody said anything, CJ jumps up.

"I got something!"

Everyone else waits as CJ listens in. He jots down a few notes and pulls off the headphones.

"Carmen was talking to a Stan Frouse. They're meeting in Florence to talk about Alberto."

"Alberto was mentioned by name?"

"Yup. First time since we been here."

"Boys we're moving out. I don't know if this is a genuine slip up, so lets be careful with this."

Cody and his team gather their things. Unaware of the black hooded figure watching them from a rooftop across the street.

Carmen is escorted by security to a white Rolls Royce. Taking a backseat with one security guard as another one takes the wheel. They pull off the curb, with Cody's team following afterwards. Woody drives with Cody at passenger side. Italy didn't have huge streets, so keeping distance was key. The sun started to set as the chase continued. Cody stayed alert, checking his surroundings as if every eye was on him. Ready to draw his Desert Eagle as any moment. Carmen's ride stops at the local marketplace and her group continues on foot. Woody stopping behind in his own spot.

"Listen up, I want you all to hang back." Said Cody.

"What!"

"Hear me out. We've been out here for three day with no leads, now all of sudden we're led straight to a golden goose. It could be a trap and I don't want us all lined up for anyone."

"Are you sure?"

"That's an order. Have your Netwatches on standby. If something goes wrong, I'll send an alert."

Cody tucks his gun in his jacket and heads after Carmen. A slight breeze picked up, with the moon starting to rise. He takes his time, blending with the crowd to stay hidden. Carmen goes into a tall building after crossing a bridge. Cody takes a hard look around, then sends a quick message back to his team.

"She's just walked into a tan building with brown rooftop across the west bridge. A half mile out from where we started. I'm going in."

"Got you, we're still here. Be careful. "

Cody walks into a empty building. Pretty cleared out, with a few lights barely shining. A spiral staircase with dusty footprints give him a lead. He draws his gun and goes step by step towards the meeting. The footprints stop on the second floor. It got darker as he moved to the hallway. The only source of light being from a few windows. He was eager to use his flashlight attachment, but didn't want to draw attention. It was strangely quiet, until a door creaked. Cody moved towards the door, slowly pushing it open.

The door swings back hard, smacking Cody's shoulder, sending him back into the hallway. The hooded figure from earlier emerges, throwing a haymaker which Cody ducks. Cody rolls and starts shooting. The dim lighting makes it hard to get a clear shot, making it easier for the hood to dodge. The hood pulls out a gun and pops the last few lights. With his enemy wearing all black with a small glimmer of red, it was near impossible to see. Cody retreats and heads down the staircase. The hood pops put, shooting dual pistols. Cody takes a bullet to his left shoulder, sending him tumbling down. Cody lands back first at the bottom, quickly shooting back at his attacker. With no sign of anyone, Cody scrambles to his feet and goes outside.

"Woody, I've just been attacked in the building by a hooded assassin. I've been shot. I'm heading back to your location. Look out for someone in all black."

"Copy that boss, Garret is headed in your direction."

Cody runs amongst the crowd, gripping his wound. People spreading out due to the sound of gunfire. He continues across the bridge, meeting Garret on the other side. Close by, the hood runs across the rooftops, tracking his targets. Woody and CJ are on guard as Cody and Garret get closer. Right above, the hood pulls a grenade from his belt, tossing it at their car.

"Frag!"

CJ and Woody dive away as the grenade sends the car up in flames. The hood connects a zip line from his belt to the roof and drops down. He sends a hail a gunfire, hitting Garret in his neck. He falls, tripping Cody in the process. CJ and Woody shoot at the descending assassin, in which the hood releases his line, dropping two stories into shadows. Cody uses his good arm to press on Garret's wound. Woody comes over to help as CJ goes to check on the hood.

"Hold on Garret, just hold on!" Cody begged.

Woody pulls a few patches from his utility belt and tries to cover the wound. Garret rolls his eyes toward Cody, as his soul slowly fades away.

"NO, NO, NO!"

"The bastard's gone." Said CJ running over. "Shit, Garret."

Cody's head hung low, hands covered in blood. Woody let out a depressed moan, as police sirens wailed in the distance.

WWE Headquarters

"Jesus."

"I know, the worst part is that they never got a good look at the guy."

"Sounds like a pro. With those kinds of moves, dude had to be some kind of Special Forces."

"Exactly. Del Rio is pulling out the big guns. We're also doing some digging to find any ex agents who might have been fired or gone rouge. Maybe its a familiar face."

Hunter's door opens up and Cody exits. His arm in a sling. He gives Dean a small nod and Dean replies with his own. Cody pats Hunter's shoulder before leaving, not saying a word.

"Damn, never seen the guy like that."

"That's why this is one of the most important jobs we've ever had. Del Rio is nothing to fuck with. If he has these kinds of people on his payroll, we need all hands on deck. Can I trust you to be 100% focused?"

"Of course."

Hunter extends his hand, giving Dean strong shake.

"Leave that report on my desk when you can. I got other things to handle. Rollins should be back soon, in the meantime, take a week off. You've earned it."

"Real quick, go easy on Paige. She was doing her job and I started messing with her."

"Tough guy Ambrose showing compassion? I'm amazed."

"Don't get used to it."

Dean pokes his head in Regal's office. Paige buried in her work as usual. He knocks on the door, grabbing her attention.

"What's up?"

"Just letting you know I took the wrap for earlier. You're of the shit list."

"Awwww."

"Don't get all mushy on me. Anyway, what you doing tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow? As in Valentine's Day?"

"Yeah"

"No clue. Might go out for drinks with a few girlfriends. Why?"

"Wait you have friends? Nevermind, wanna go out?"

"As in a date?"

"Just answer the damn question."

"You don't want to be alone tomorrow?"

"I can go home and jerk off. I was just asking."

"Hahaha. I'd love to go out. If you don't mind hanging with my friends first."

"If they're anything like you, I'll be drinking all night."

"Cool beans." She said, pushing up her glasses with a middle finger.

Dean smiles, throwing a behind the back middle finger as he left the office.