A/N: I implore you to be patient. Teddy's background is vital for the later interaction with Miley and the story line itself.

A/N 2: Asian organized crime motif: It was clear that in order to achieve my dramatic goals that I would bring in an element of organized crime. And the Chinese Triads was chosen after carefully considering the Californian location as well as its underrepresentation and misrepresentation in mainstream Hollywood media and entertainment. Furthermore, I myself am all too familiar with the culture and mentality of this particular ethnic group. I implore you not to be turned off by the constant ethnic elements of the story, as I believe that this would help the story stand out amongst the many fine crime stories out there.

Don't forget Theo's the other half of the story.

Important Outside Source: Theodore James Tan would be played in a movie by the Hong Kong movie actor Nicholas Tse as he was when he starred in the film "Against War". Look him up if you need to and picture him in this role to get an idea of what he looks like.

Flashback

LAX International Airport

Domestic Arrivals Terminal

(Same day as Miley's dinner incident)

The noise was loud and ever present in the terminal of one of the country's busiest airport. Hidden among the hundreds of arrivals wandering the terminal for their friends and loved ones, was 27 year old Theodore "Theo" (Teddy) Tan, a 5'8'' very well-toned and athletically fit, visibly Chinese man, sporting a white cotton long sleeve shirt with a black dress t-shirt acting as an over-shirt, as well as khakis, and a pair of sunglasses. He is actually quite good looking if not for a freshly imprinted yet permanent scar on his upper left cheek bone. Despite being Americanized, he accepted his looks…after all his skin was yellow because it was 'golden' and he had long made peace with everything that came with his slanted eyes. He sports a chain around his neck which holds a stylish military style steel dog tag with a two beautifully engraved Chinese characters in black ink- "honour" and "courage." This dog tag was the symbol of his life and everything about it. It was him.

He calmly and quietly carries a large green camouflage styled duffel bag and looks around until he spots another Chinese man waiting at an exit for him. This man is his older brother Thomas "Tom" Tan. He is shorter, overweight, uglier, and less graceful than Theo and is of very questionable morality.

"Hey, look who it is," greeted Tom in his unmistakably prevalent Chinese accent.

"Hmmph… somehow you look even uglier now than when I left," replied Theo, who spoke with absolutely no foreign accent at all.

"Good to see your still the same old self," started Tom with a chuckle, "the family was worried you might get soft in the Corps while you were sun tanning in the Middle East."

Then Theo became serious.

"Marines don't get soft in the Middle East," Theo retorted calmly, "and neither do insurgents," Theo replied referring to the scar.

With that both men, walked out and both got in the waiting Escalade.

"How's the family," asked Theo.

"Empty…without you," replied Tom.

"Oh, c'mon," Theo protested softly, "the family still wants me in? Didn't they get the hint when I enlisted? I'm not one of you…"

"Theo, the only reason why Pops let you go was that he wanted you to come back with urban skills for the family business. Either that or at least the skills to make it on the streets"

"Yeah I got that, but I'm not cut out what you, Dad and everyone else did"

"Sure you are, and after all we've given you, don't you think it's time to give back."

"I guess…," replied Theo.

"Anyways, there's no better time to come in than now. Business is booming. Ever since we partnered with the Skinheads, we've been pulling in a sick amount of money," started Tom.

"Doing what?," asked Theo

"We've been bringing in more China White from the Golden Triangle" replied Tom, "and those Gweilo racists get to sell them for us, making us a lot of money"

"And what do they get in return from us."

"Intelligence rivaling CIA, secret transportation routes, planes, criminal forums, assets, hacking, outsourcing hitmen opportunities…"

This was not or is not unusual or made up. Top drug gangs have immense amounts of disposable profits and resources. This includes the services above as well as the ability to locate any one person in the U.S. who isn't under witness protection and re-identification. They also have an immense arms cache at their disposal to use, give, or to sell. Theo, Tom, and all in the know about crime knows this and uses this. Frequently.

"Alright, alright, I get it. Still surprised that they agreed to deal with a family who isn't as White as the driven snow?" Theo pondered aloud.

Tom smirks at Theo

"Please, they may be incorrigible racists, but the only colour they and we care about for that matter is green".

Theo nods in understanding

"Fine, then maybe you can tell me why you're here to pick me up, after all why do I deserve such an honour," asked Theo.

"Because you're one of America's few and proud serving his country," Tom replied

Theo gives him a look and a raised eyebrow.

"OK, OK," Tom cracked up, "I'm here because Pop's in HK (Hong Kong) on business."

"And if he were here, what does he want from me that would warrant a free ride in an Escalade"

Tom becomes serious as he pulls out a laptop.

"Alright Theo, you made it no secret that you don't want in anymore, and Pops is actually gonna let you out."

"Really?" asked Theo not sure whether he should believe this.

"Yeah Theo, Pops promised he'll let you go, if you do one thing for him."

"Which is?"

"Remember what dad used to do in Hong Kong when he was your age?" Tom asked seemingly changing the subject, "before America?".

"Of course I do," replied Theo, not sure what Tom was getting at.

"Remember the thing that made him the most money?" asked Tom

"Yeah."

"Well, dad feels that you should pull one big score, $2.5 mil," replied Tom, "since you are going to be out, you won't be making the family any money over the length of your life, ergo he wants this amount in one shot."

"$2.5? That's going to take a lot more than one time," replied Theo

"Nope, just one, and you never have to work for us again," assured Tom, "here, its all here in these files."

Tom gives Theo a USB key before starting the engine of the car. Theo reviews the files on the key using Tom's laptop and thinks. Unlike his family, Theo is not a criminal enterpriser at heart; he is only one of them by family. He has no interest in the business, no love for what that business entails, and certainly no love for what he reads from the key. However he feels he has little choice. His fierce loyalty for his father and his tight friendship with his brother had pushed Theo further into a situation that he had really been born into. And unlike his family, Theo was not one to embrace his Hong Kong crime roots like Tom and the rest of the family. Theo's Chinese crime ancestry was only skin deep. And the fact that the he was part of a crime family in the Marine Corps made no difference either. So many gangs had members who were in the U.S. Armed Forces. After all, the best street soldiers for turf wars were real soldiers from actual wars. In certain respects, East L.A. was nothing compared to Fallujah or Tikrit. However, Theo being raised by a crime family did mean certain aspects stuck with him include seriousness, fortitude, and a seemingly low amount of empathy. These traits were only enhanced by his time in the Corps. But now, he just wants to do this, give his father the money, then leave to get on with his life.

Frankly he had spent too many years participating in organized crimes, including murder. And he loathed it with the greatest passions.

"Ok, so if I do this, it's over," asked Theo.

"Dad assures you no one from the family will ever ask of anything of you again," answered Tom.

Theo thought of this. His father may have been a criminal, a selfish prick, and a stubborn Chinese traditionalist, but he did have his honour and he never lied to his children.

"What about support?" asked Theo.

"Dad gave told us specifically to give you all you need. Intel Support from me and whatever you need from the rest of the family"

Theo nodded his head in acknowledgement.

"We're also giving you the tool bag, it's in the trunk," continued Tom, "you'll see when we get home. So whaddya say?"

Theo thought about this and nodded again…

"Fine"

"Good, we got everything set up, it all falls down tomorrow evening and it's gonna take a while to pull off, but it's worth it. Besides, we got even more goodies you're gonna need...at home."

At that, they begin the drive home.

"Oh s-t, I forgot, I wanna go to Mass, haven't been since last week"

"What, you wanna go there...?"

Theo became serious about this retort and slight dig at his religion.

"Hey, I may have done bad things in my life. And may end up doing more but…"

He pulls his rosary out of his lapel pocket. And he pulls his Chinese symbol dog tag and affixes the two together.

"At least let me do something right with my life."

With that Tom relented. Being a devout Roman Catholic was an unwavering part of Theo, regardless of what he was involved in and forced to do throughout his life.

"Fine, after we get things settled, St. Paul the Apostle, tomorrow," relented Tom.

With that Theo relaxed and turned up the radio.

St. Paul the Apostle Roman Catholic Church

10750 Ohio Avenue

(The next day: Before the job)

5:34 p.m.

Theodore Tan kneels in front of the altar and crucifix as he reverently folds his hands and bows his head into deep prayer. He looks up lovingly at the exposition, and then just as quickly bows his head and closes his eyes. He is reciting the rosary and is breathing in and out slowly as his thoughts are concentrated on asking God for strength, expediency, and the graces needed to accomplish what he has to do with as little pain as possible to all who will be profoundly affected by the actions that are to come.

Appropriately, the sombre and foretelling Gregorian organ music softly plays in the background as Theo finishes praying.

"…as we forgive those who trespass against us and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil."

While silently reciting the prayer he also reverently speaks to God.

"Oh Lord, how I wish things were different, but you have given me this is my cross to bear and through it I have been given my task to complete. I sincerely hope that you give me your forgiveness for what I am about to do, but even more importantly, if it is your will, I beg of you to let me survive this dangerous goal, solely so that I may have the chance for forgiveness and penance after this is all over."

20 minutes later, Theo makes the sign of the cross and walks out, placing a twenty in the donation box. He makes his way to the Escalade in the secluded parking lot, putting a toothpick in his mouth and sunglasses over his eyes. But before he gets in, he looks around to make sure no one is around…

click

He takes out, preps, and the pockets his shooter, a Colt .45 ACP handgun and focuses his mind by slowly reciting the task at hand, once in his mind.

"Time to go to work. At least I'll be taking out a wife beater."

Even now Theo has trouble steeling himself. He has to pause and let his mind comprehend what he will do...

"I'm...sorry, Miley"

Theo is done his remorse. He now shifts to 'business' mode.

Then he gets in. All this time, he is dressed in an elegant suit, which he will soon shed for garb more appropriate for the job ahead.

End Flashback

A/N: Don't forget to go to consult either the author's page or the Internet for the outside sources for previous, current, and future chapters.