Later that morning Duo took Quatre out to an empty lot for shooting practice. "Don't worry 'bout the noise, no one'll call it in," Duo said as he set up some cans on a few cinderblocks and the wooden fence.

"Why not?"
"Because they don't care anymore. Death's too often a visitor." Duo's voice was quieter, and he stared at the empty can in his hand for a moment, lost in thought.

Quatre was concerned, but didn't know what he could say, so he waited silently for the brunette to snap himself back. It didn't take too long and Duo set the can down and trotted back to Quatre. His grin was back, if not up to its full force.

"All right, let's see what you got."

"Okay." Quatre raised the pistol evenly and fired at the targets. He hit five of them on the first try, and three on the second. He lowered the gun again, a frown marring his forehead. "Damn, I didn't used to take so long to aim"

Duo laughed and threw an arm around his shoulder. "That's all right. You're not up to my level, but at least you'll survive."

"Gee thanks. It has been a while since I've fired one of these." Quatre defended himself, quite aware of the warmth from Duo's arm. But it was a pleasant, comfortable sensation and he thought no more of it, deciding to enjoy it while it lasted. "Hey, I'm glad you're on my side! I'll go set up the cans again." Duo withdrew his arm and trotted back over to the cans.

The rest of the morning was spent at shooting practice; Quatre gaining back some speed and accuracy, and Duo showing off his innate ability to hit just about any target without looking at it.

It was a month before Quatre was able to go on an assignment, not because he wasn't ready, but because no one was hiring. In the meantime, the two grew closer and closer, so much so, that hardly, if any, secrets were kept from each other.

The client for Quatre's first assignment was a young woman who wanted to get her friend out of prostitution. The girl's pimp had her addicted to a drug that only he could provide her with, which was why the girl hadn't already left. They were meeting the client in a nice little coffee shop run by Duo's friend Hilde. The three sat around one of the circular tables, each sipping on their drinks as she explained the situation.

At the end, Duo shook his head. "Drugs and pimps, that's going to drive the price up"

Quatre frowned but kept his mouth shut. The woman nodded. "I know, I expected it."

"All right, well I'd have to say four grand, plus costs for ammo and gas, and whatever else might crop up."

The woman nodded again and stood up. "Usual form of payment, half and half?"

"Half to begin, half on completion? Of course. We'll have your friend kidnapped and returned to you by the end of the month," Duo answered with a grin. He stood up as well to shake her hand.

"Thank you very much," she said, nodded at Quatre, then took her leave. Duo and Quatre remained quiet until the café's door closed.

Duo sat down again and studied his roommate. "All right, what's wrong?" he asked.

"Wrong?" Quatre returned innocently before taking another sip of his drink. Duo reached over and took his drink so the blonde would focus on him.

"Something's bothering you, what is it?"

"It's just…four thousand? That seems like a lot."

Duo sighed. "I know it does, but look at it this way, we're going to be risking our lives, and in case you hadn't noticed, there's some time in between jobs, so the money's gotta last."

Quatre sighed himself and took his drink back. "I know, you only asked about four months living cost, and logically I know it's reasonable, but…I guess I'm just not used to being a mercenary that's all."

"Not used to charging for good deeds hunh?"

Quatre laughed. "Yeah, kind of"

Duo placed a comforting hand on the blonde's shoulder. "You're a good guy Quat, you got a good heart. I hope ya keep it despite of your new profession."

Quatre smiled at his friend. "Well, you did"

Duo looked sheepish. "Yeah well, I had a moment of insanity when I took you in."

Quatre shook his head. "So what's the plan?" he asked, slipping into business mode. Shortly after he'd moved in, Duo let him handle all of the expenses, having a much better head for it than the brunette had.

"Well, since the girl won't necessarily want to leave on her own, we're gonna have to probably slip her some knock out drugs so she doesn't fight us. But for getting in, I'm thinking posing as clients? Keep it nice and simple."

Quatre nodded. "You're right, posing as clients would be the easiest way in. But we'll have to do a bit more research on the layout of the building and the clientele demographic."

"Well yeah, but we've got a month."

"Duo, you shouldn't procrastinate on something like this."

"Aww man, you take all the fun out of it."

"Drink your coffee."

AN: I have no real idea about the going prices on mercenary jobs, so I'm just guessing. It'll pick up soon, I promise!