February 14th, 2012

Stamford, Connecticut

Sleepy Bear Bar

"8 ball in the corner pocket."

Scotty lines up his shot, measuring before striking and nailing his mark. Dean throws up his hands in defeat once again.

"That's three games in a row. I need whatever you're drinking."

"Nothing but that good ole H2O. Hey yo, what's up with that kid you're supposed to be having?"

Dean pauses, swirling his glass of whiskey. Almost hypnotized as he stared directly into it. He had told Scotty the situation a few days ago, who had become sort of a proper conscience to Dean. Although he left out the famous popstar's name.

"No idea. Haven't heard back from her. I'm more curious if she's told her man yet. Regardless, I need to be ready if it is mine. Gotta get in touch with a more "loving" side."

Dean almost threw up just uttering that sentence.

"Oh yeah, how you planning to do that?"

As if on cue, Paige walks in the bar. Hyper actively waving to Dean from across the floor.

"That's how."

San Marcos, Texas

Eli Frank's Home

Roman and Sasha walk to the front door with Hero trotting behind. A small cake in her hand.

"Are you sure he said it was okay to bring Hero?"

"Yeah. Plus he said his wife has a dog that could use some company."

Roman goes to knock, but the door opens before hand. A younger man wearing a greasy T shirt steps out, flanked by two of his friends. He locks eyes with Roman, stepping face to face. His brown curly hair stuffed under his baseball cap.

"Can I help you?"

"I'm here to have dinner with Eli."

"I think you may have the wrong house. We don't bring the likes of you over here."

Roman stepped in closer, almost touching faces with the kid.

"Don't sugar coat it. Say what you really mean."

"EJ! EJ, leave our guests alone." Said Gretta, shuffling over.

"Sorry mama, just being safe. Come on boys."

EJ steps down, eyeing Sasha on his way to the car.

"I'm sorry Brian. Eli Jr. doesn't take to kindly to strangers. Come on in and have a seat."

Roman and Sasha step in, observing the household. Really old time with ancient hardware. A television set from 1989 and a VCR. Even had an Atari sitting on the side.

"This must be your sister. Hi, I'm Gretta Frank."

"Keisha. Nice to meet you."

"I just love your dress. Very classy. Anyway, please get comfortable, Eli will be down in a second."

"Okay, we brought a cake for dessert."

"How lovely, I'll put in the fridge. Food should be done soon. Hello boy, what's your name?"

"That's Hero. Say hi."

Hero jumps onto Gretta as she laughs and pets him. A small brown poodle runs in from the backyard. It starts growling, seeing another dog take its owner's affection.

"Oh stop it Lola. Mama's new friends brought over a play date. This is Hero."

Lola stands her ground, barking at the bigger dog. She jumps up and tackles Hero, who sits unfazed. Hero walks off to the backyard as Lola follows and barks. Gretta gets back to cooking.

"Okay boss man, we're here. What do we do now?" Asked Sasha.

Roman looks over his shoulder and pulls out a few bugs. Sliding it into Sasha's hands.

"Once Eli comes down and everyone's eating, excuse yourself to the bathroom. Plant this in their bedroom, bathroom and somewhere else. Be quick about it."

"Gotcha."

Eli comes downstairs and greets the young ones. His white hair neatly combed to the side.

"Hey there Brian. Glad you made it. This your wife?"

"Keisha, my sister."

"Oh, a pretty one. Hey Gretta, you might have some competition."

Sasha couldn't help but giggle as Gretta threw a dinner roll at Eli's head. Everyone sits down to eat. Gretta fixes up a bowl for the dogs. A lovely dinner of steaks, baked potatoes and roasted greens. Sasha smiles as Eli opens up a bottle of white grape, Velvet Crest wine.

"Excuse me, can I use the restroom before we eat?"

"Sure can. Upstairs, last door on the left."

Sasha raises an eyebrow at Roman before going upstairs.

"So Eli, you catch that Cowboys game?" Asked Roman.

Sasha removes her heels at the top of the stairs. Three rooms, need to make this quick.

"Fucking Tony Romo. Dude's a bum. I'm 72 and could throw better than him."

Roman falls back in his chair. Cracking up at the old man's antics.

"Is your sister okay? Don't want the food to get cold on her." Said Gretta.

"Yeah. She's lactose intolerant. I told her no, but she just HAD to try the peanut butter explosion milkshake. Now she's paying for it."

Sasha returns after 10 minutes, smiling at everyone else.

"Stomach still rumbling dear? Can I get you some pepto?"

"Huh?"

"I know it's embarrassing, but a lot of people are lactose intolerant. We don't mind. As long as you sprayed afterwards."

Sasha slowly turns her head. Giving Roman the coldest mean mugging of all time. Roman throws back a huge grin as he sips a glass of wine. Dinner is finished up, so Sasha helps Gretta with dessert and tea. Roman and Eli go to the back porch to check on their dogs. Eli flips the back light to find Lola sleeping underneath Hero.

"Well, they're getting along."

"Thanks for coming over my boy. Me and Gretta don't get too much company."

"Really? You two are incredibly nice."

"Well our son is quite the troublemaker. He's rubbed a lot of people the wrong way."

"How so?"

"I'd rather not say. Most of it are accusations, but he's my son. What can I do?"

"You do the right thing."

"BOYS! DESSERT'S UP!" Shouts Sasha.

Sasha serves up cake and tea. Enjoying that as Gretta puts on a VHS copy of Casablanca. A lovely night it was, but Roman accomplished his goal. The young ones give goodbyes to the old ones before going home. Once back, Sasha kicks off her heels and flops on the couch.

"You have a bed."

"Carry me?"

"No."

"Fuck you then, I'm not moving."

"Whatever. I'm gonna go calibrate the bugs."

"Oh before you do that, can you walk Hero for me?"

Roman looks down as Hero approaches with a leash in his mouth. He moans for a second, but collars up Hero anyway.

"Thanks. Love ya. Your the most awesome guy in the world!"

"Yeah, yeah."

Roman and Hero leave, walking under the moonlight. Both unaware of the people watching close by. Sasha sleepily scrolls through her phone, liking social media posts until she passes out. Her eyes shoot back open from the sound of the front door being kicked in. She rolls over the couch and into the kitchen. Grabbing a large knife and taking a defensive stance. Three men in white hooded sweatshirts and pants rush in. Each with a skeleton mask covering their face. Sasha quickly throws her knife, cutting one of their arms. She throws a few punches, but the numbers are overwhelming. They quickly grab Sasha, gagging her mouth and zip tieing her hands as she screams for help.

Hero finishes up, giving Roman the nod to clean up his business.

"Whoo, man I'm glad I aint got no dog. No offense."

Roman cleans up and throws it in a nearby trash can.

"Hey, that dog Lola. Did you smash?" He chuckled.

Hero does a small nod. Leaving Roman unsure if that really happened or he was just tired. As they approach the house, Hero starts barking.

"Something wrong boy?"

Hero tries to run, pulling Roman with him. He eventually lets go and Hero sprints back. Roman jogs to catch up, scared by what he found. He goes inside to find the entire house trashed. Hero starts sniffing around for a clue. Roman checks the room, finding Sasha's phone and Netwatch on the ground. He clutches them in his hand, furious, feeling like he should of been here. With no time to waste,he rushes to the bedroom, grabbing his utility belt and pistol. No time to suit up. Hero walks in with Sasha's bow in his mouth.

"Not now."

Hero starts whining, nudging Roman's leg.

"What? The bow?"

He pauses for a moment, then a light bulb goes off.

"Can you track Sasha's scent?"

Hero once again nods. Roman wipes his eyes, still confused by that action. It may be crazy, but it's the only lead they got. He grabs the bow, then takes Hero to find Sasha.

A blue SUV stops nearby a park. The hooded assailants attempt to pull Sasha out, who's still fighting back.

"Jesus can one of ya calm that bitch down!"

Sasha yells in retaliation, but it's muffled by the scarf tied around her mouth. They grab her legs, dragging her from the backseat. She falls to the ground, hitting hard. One gives her a boot to the stomach for good measure. Sasha wasn't massive like her partner, so it was really felt in the kidney's. They drag her under a nearby bridge where it was darker. Her eyes rolled around, seeing the group circle her like a pack of hyenas. One steps in, but gets stopped by the one with the bleeding arm.

"This bitch cut me. I'm going first."

He climbs on top of her, clutching her mouth.

"I'm gonna make you bleed, bitch!"

Sasha starts laughing, confusing her attacker. He yanks the scarf off.

"What's so fucking funny?"

"That I'm the only woman here, but yet we got three extra pussies!"

He backhands her across the face, busting her lip. She looks back, her eyes wide, a Joker level cackle coming from her vocal chords. He stuffs the tie back in her mouth and starts tearing at her dress.

"FOUND YOU!"

Roman comes in a like a freight train. Tackling one hood as Hero jumps in with a takedown, biting the other. Sasha uses the distraction to head butt the one on top of her. He rolls over hurting as Sasha does a kip up. She jumps up, dropping a knee into his face.

"HERO! DOWN!" She commanded.

Hero stops mauling to run back to his master. Blood dripping from his teeth. Sasha turns around to let Hero bite the tie off. Roman drags over the one he tackled, who was crying and holding his side.

"You broke my ribs man."

"Shut the fuck up! You alright Sasha?"

"I'm cool. Figured you get here eventually."

Roman throws him down and yanks the mask off. It was one of EJ's friends from earlier.

"Exactly who I thought it was." Said Sasha.

Roman pulls off the mask from cut one. It was EJ's other friend. Roman and Sasha look at each other, then back to the one Hero attacked. They walk over to the last one who wasn't moving. The mask bloodied, torn up from Hero's ferocious bite. Roman slowly kneels down to pull the mask off. Sasha turns her head, covering her mouth, upon seeing what was left of EJ's face. Roman puts the mask back on in disgust.

"I'm gonna call this in."

The next morning, Roman and Sasha head back the Frank residence. Revealing their true identities. Giving the full story of last night. Giving the reason why their son was on life support. Gretta broke down in tears. Sasha tries to comfort her, but is pushed away. Gretta storms off to the back porch. Sasha just stood there, scratching her head. Eli taps Roman on the shoulder, asking him to come downstairs.

"Sasha, watch her. I'll be right back."

Eli leads him to the basement, which was EJ's room. Eli goes to the washing machine and points to the ceiling.

"I think you'll find what you're looking for up there."

Roman reaches up to the low ceiling, pushing a trap door. He kneels on the washer and looks inside. Popping a flashlight to find guns and Goldust scattered around.

"This looks about right."

"About two months ago, Gretta came to do laundry. Saw some of the gold powder trickling from above. Had me check it out. Didn't know what it was. Didn't want to know. Didn't even tell Gretta."

"You do realize I have to get you arrested for conspiracy and harboring a criminal?"

"I lived through segregation. I did some mean things back then. But in my old age I learned that some people are worse then others, regardless of skin color. It's my fault Eli Jr. picked up these traits. Gun running and drug dealing was something I never wanted for my son. Either way, I still covered for him. Do what you gotta do son, I understand."

Roman pats Eli on the shoulder, giving him a nod of approval. A narcotics team is brought in, collecting all evidence. Including a few cell phones with messages to cartel members. Those are handed over to Sasha, as Roman escorts Eli to the police car. Roman looks on as the car rolls away. Sasha walks over, wrapping her arm around his.

"This was fun, I think we make a pretty great team."

Roman yanks his arm away, looking annoyed.

"What?"

"I'm still pissed about you tapping my calls. I'm not just forgetting that."

"I apologized. Fuck you want me to do?"

"Earn my trust back."

Sasha shrugs and agrees. Hero barks from the car.

"He's ready and so am I."

Lola comes running in from the house, barking at Hero. Roman and Sasha turn around, noticing Gretta on the step. She stood with her arms folded, before walking back inside and closing the door. They both look down at Lola who's wagging in excitement.

"Damn Hero, you must of put it down! You want a dog Roman?"

"Sure, hop in Lola."

Everyone gets in the car, ready to go home. Roman turns on the radio. He looks in the backseat at Hero, who seemed to be smiling at him.

"Sasha remind me to grab some coffee on the way back."