February 14th, 2012

San Marcos, Texas

It was an early morning as an old Chevrolet truck parked in front of a diner. An elderly man and his wife went inside, taking their usual booth seat, ready to order breakfast. A waitress sees her regulars and approaches them with a smile.

"Morning Mr. and Mrs. Frank. How you doing this fine day?"

"We're good Harriet. How's the boy?" Asked the Mrs.

"He's been acting up in school. I took away his video games. Gave him some books to read. You guys want the usual?"

"Please. Except I'll take tea instead of coffee this time. Doctor says I need to lay off the caffeine. You want the usual dear?"

Eli grunts while flipping through a newspaper. Harriet jots down the order. She checks on another diner in a nearby booth on her way back.

"Refill your coffee, hun?"

"Please and thank you." Said Roman.

Roman finished off his scrambled eggs, keeping an eye on Eli. It's been over a week with no progress made on his mission. Nothing really exciting about watching a senior citizen cut his grass or cleaning antiques. Still, he needed to watch Eli 24/7. As they eat, Eli pauses, grabbing his chest.

"Is something wrong dear?"

Eli grabs his throat, falling over the table.

"Someone help, he's choking!" Screamed Mrs. Frank.

The few people there rush over as Roman watches from behind. Cries of help with no one knowing what to do. Seeing an oppurtunity, Roman quietly comes over and hoists up Eli.

"This might hurt a little."

Roman cocks his arm back and gives a semi hard slap to Eli's chest. Eli spits up pancake as everyone cheers in relief.

"Thank you my boy. I almost had a date with the undertaker."

"Not a problem old timer."

Once everything settles down, Roman joins them at the table. Introducing himself as Brian. Mrs. Frank gives him a kiss on the cheek.

"Thank you so much for saving my husband."

"Seriously. It was nothing. My dumb strength can be useful sometimes."

"Are you on vacation? We haven't seen you before."

"Yeah, me and my sister are here for a little sightseeing."

"Well you two chose a wonderful place to visit." Said Eli. "Me and Gretta been living here for over 30 years. In fact, why don't you and your sister come by our house later. We'll be going shopping to pick up some steaks."

"Oh, I don't want to impose."

"Impose? You saved my life son. The least I could do is have the wife cook ya something up."

"Um, sure, why not."

"Wonderful. We live just down the road 808 Wallaby Ave. Be there by 7."

"Sure will. I gotta get going. My sister is pretty good at sleeping in."

"Don't want to hold you. We'll take care of your bill."

"Thank you."

"Of course. Take care Brian."

Back at the house, Roman walks in to see Sasha curled up on the couch. Hero sitting in a ball, watching cartoons on TV.

"Sasha wake up."

She doesn't budge, so he goes to poke her. As his hand makes slight contact, Sasha pulls him in and puts a blade to his throat.

"WHOA! HOLD ON! ITS JUST ME!"

Sasha's eyes fully open up, realizing who was in her grip. She releases him, wiping her eyes.

"Sorry, I always sleep on guard."

"You're good at it. Anyway, you got to hear what I just did."

"Hero, story time."

Sasha sits Indian style as Hero hops on the couch. Both staring at Roman bug eyed.

"So I went to track Eli on his usual morning at the diner. Dude starts choking on a piece of pancake. I jump in and save him. As a thank you, he and his wife invite us over to dinner."

"You said no right?"

"No, me and you are going over there later at 7 for dinner."

"...I don't like this story."

"Its not exactly ideal, but this is our way in. One of us can keep them busy, while the other snoops around for some info."

"Left out the part where one of us gets strung up on a cross and set on fire."

"Are you usually this negative?"

"Kinda."

"Just get ready."

Sasha runs to grab some outfits she picked out earlier. He then gets a call from Tasha.

"Hey babe, how you doing?"

"Fine, just getting ready for work. How's Amelia?"

"She got in trouble in school yesterday for fighting."

"Fighting?!"

"Yes, fighting. Her and some other girl got into it over a boy."

"What?"

"This boy used to like the other girl, but then he started bringing Amelia candy and all these other gifts. The other girl got mad and pushed Amelia at lunch."

"Did she fight back?"

"Amelia told me she judo flipped her on the table and dislocated the girl's shoulder. Then she was gonna curb stomp her, but the teacher's stopped it. CURB STOMPING!"

"I'm gonna kill Seth." He muttered under his breath. "Okay Tash, I'll talk to her once I get back. For now just keep her in her room."

"Alright. When are you coming home?"

"Hopefully soon, but with these things you can never tell. Love you."

"Be safe, love you."

Roman hangs up, as Sasha chuckles in the background.

'What's so funny?"

"Yo daughter a SAVAGE!"

"How'd you hear...did you tap into my call?"

"Maybe."

Roman storms in her direction. She backs up, falling into a kitchen chair. He grips her up, pinning her against the fridge. Her feet dangling off the ground. Hero starts barking viciously.

"Don't you EVER do that shit again! That's not fucking cool. You don't do that to your partner. You got me!"

"OKAY I'M SORRY! LET ME GO! YOU'RE HURTING ME!"

Breathing heavily, Roman drops her and walks to his room. Slamming the door as Sasha nurses her arm. Roman puts on a flannel and sits on the edge of his bed. Rubbing his hands together, trying to regain composure . He focused on thinking about this dinner. He knew he was the least experienced of BC, so this was a huge chance to prove himself. It was also a chance to get himself and Sasha killed. So much going on right now, concentrating was getting harder. A nap usually puts him in a decent place.

Once well rested, he rejoins Sasha in the living room, who's in the middle of phone call.

"I mean it sounds good on paper, but I don't think that would taste decent. Hold on, let me ask this guy. Roman?"

"What?"

"How does orange-lavender flavored wine sound?"

"Sounds better as an air freshener. Not something I'd drink."

"Ya hear that Elizabeth? So scrap that, go with the soft plum flavor instead. Aight I gotta get back to work. Send Madame De Fleur my love."

"Wine business doing well?"

"It's fine, except this idiots can do anything except follow trends. No originality. Oh, you like my outfit?"

She stood up and did a small twirl, showing off her peach colored southern belle dress with matching bow on her head.

"Are you going to dinner or the county fair?"

"Bitch I look good, you just a hater."

"Okay, lets go over a few things real quick. I don't even want to know how many times you hacked in my calls, just don't do that again."

Sasha responds with a head nod.

"Two, we need to stay sharp on this dinner. Eli seemed harmless, but given what we know, he could try something. Watch the food, check your drink, generally be on guard. Three, you've been doing this a little longer than I have, so anything I can do better just let me know."

"Honestly I'm not better at this than you. I was brought in to be a pliot, but got moved to field agent. Charlotte and Becky usually come up with a plan and I just start shooting."

"Well I guess this will be a learning experience for us both. Lets go."

Stamford, Connecticut

WWE Headquarters

"Smoking dope while on duty, telling civilians about your goverment job, bringing said civilians on the job with you, drinking while on a mission, dropping your badge in the presence of a drug dealer so you could go get laid, almost resulting in the death of you and said civilian. Looks like a there's a pattern here. Am I missing anything?"

Seth sat quiet at the table. Hunter and Regal opposite of him, furious about what happened in California.

"You deaf Rollins? You a mute now? Speak Up!" Barked Hunter.

"No sir. You didn't miss anything."

"So explain to me what the hell you were thinking?"

"I was trying to capture Tico Martin like me and Charlotte were tasked to. I figured with the envoirment I was in, it would be easier to get closer to the target if I blended in a little."

"You know Seth, that's not even a bad idea. However, your execution couldn't of been worse. Thank god we put trackers in those watches, or your ass would of been chopped up and stuffed in a trash bag by now. Flair shoud of been there as well, if you didn't have a clue what to do."

"She suffered a bad face injury."

"I don't care! Because you wanted to play nice guy, everything is on you. Regal, got anything to add?"

"Not much. Just that while we are happy to see you alive Seth, we can't ignore the fact that you've broken multiple rules. I'm afraid reprecussions are in order."

"I understand."

"You won't be paid for the California job. You're also suspended without pay until further notice."

Seth sprung from his chair, flipping it over.

"Suspended! What about the Del Rio mission?"

"That's not your concern anymore." Said Hunter. "We got plenty of people here who would love an oppurtunity in your spot. People that treat this like a job and not spring break. Turn in your gun to the firearms locker and get out of here."

Seth puffed out his chest, ready to say something, but lets it go. He leaves the conference room to collect his things. On his way out, he walks past Paige.

"Hey Seth."

Seth keeps his head down and moves on, leaving Paige with a worried feeling in her stomach.