A/N: Thanks stiffkittens101 for reviewing! You were the only one to review for the last chapter actually, so this is for you. I'm not too sure if last chapter was too long or it simply wasn't good enough, but I still had fun writing it. And well, I had a chance to write, so I made this chapter. This is about Lina's, Pavi's and Nate's outing with each other. Next chapter would be about Mia's and Luigi's outing. There's some violence in this chapter though. I somehow like to write angst recently at night. So yes, this chapter has some angst in it as well. In this chapter, you will find out how scary Lina really is.

Chapter Twelve

There was an uncomfortable silence as Lina drove Pavi and Nate somewhere. The small incident between Lina and Pavi scarred Lina greatly. Because of it, Lina had found it hard to erase the image. It just wouldn't leave her alone. Oh yes, she had put herself in a mighty fine predicament. They drove around without direction until Lina saw a carnival with rides and all. She smiled and looked over at Pavi and Nate.

"We're going to a carnival," Lina stated before driving towards the fun. Apparently, the rides on the carnival were all it took to make that horrified image disappear.

Just before Pavi got out, he took out a plain plastic white mask with an elastic string tied on both sides and wore it. He adjusted the mask until it fit comfortingly on his face, and it was small enough so that the clasps wouldn't get in the way. Lina sighed when she noticed.

"Are you that conscious about your face," Lina asked.

"But of course, bella. I am, after all, a Largo," he told her. She shrugged before letting out a hand to Nate. Nate looked at her curiously before she rolled her eyes. "Take my hand. I don't want to lose you in this crowd."

Nate blushed and slowly took her hand. Her hand gripped his enough to be tight but not hurting him. He could feel the protective feeling Lina gave and smiled. He gripped her hand as well, not wanting to let go of the feeling of safety Lina gave. Pavi walked next to Lina, and found him jealous of the boy. He had a woman holding his hand while he got no one.

It was then a young woman pass by him that he turned to stare and a smile forming his lips. Lina noticed this before she pinched his ear and pulled it as she walked with him painfully following her. And of course, Pavi cried out from the pulling of his ear.

"B-bella, l-let go! It hurts," Pavi whined.

Lina let go and Pavi rubbed his injured ear.

"I don't care what you do, but I have the responsibility to watch over you. If you want those women, wait until your one month stay is over," she told him. Pavi frowned under his mask and whined once more.

"But it has been so long that the Pavi has a woman inside-," Pavi started before he got cut off by a slap on the back of his head. He frowned and rubbed the back of his head.

"Not when a child is here," Lina said sternly, her eyes glaring at him for daring to speak such adult themes.

"He will learn such things someday, bella. Why not now," Pavi questioned innocently though everyone knows he isn't that innocent.

"Shut up," Lina ordered with such finality. And of course, Pavi obeyed when he noticed Lina was serious.

After Lina bought tickets for the rides (seemingly that never changed after so many years of change) for her and Nate while Pavi used his own money to buy his, Lina's eyes gleamed like a little child that found candy heaven when she saw all the rides. She looked over at her two male companions with such excitement that both men found themselves blushing at her child-like behavior. She seemed cuter that way than her usual self.

"Where should we go first? I want to go on that Monster roller coaster, but you guys might be too scared for it. Or maybe we can go inside that haunted house thing? Or… or go on the Ferris wheel? So where should we go first," asked an overly excited Lina towards the two males.

Nate and Pavi stared in awe at her. Both quite surprised and not knowing what to answer. They just nodded their heads slowly as their response. Lina smiled, not seemingly angry at all for a non-helpful answer. It made Nate and Pavi more speechless. It was then the two males looked at each other, wondering how they should act towards the new Lina in front of them.

"How about we go on the easy rides first," Lina asked them. Nate and Pavi just nodded their heads. It was then that Lina nodded back as a confirmation before taking Pavi's hand. She dragged them both with excitement towards one of those rides that go in an up and down motion. Still in shock about her change in personality, Nate and Pavi just looked lost.

It didn't take them long before they kind of enjoyed the rides. The only exception is that Nate and Pavi felt sick on some of the rides, and the one ride that made Nate and Pavi the sickest was that Monster roller coaster ride that Lina wanted to go on. Lina seemed quite fine, not at all queasy from any of the rides they went on. The two males were obviously relieved when they were allowed to have a small break.

"That was fun, don't you think," Lina said happily, chuckling as she looked at Nate's and Pavi's terrible faces. "And lookie here, we have a small memento." She held out a picture of one of the rides they went on. In the picture, Nate looked terrified; Lina looked like she enjoyed it; and Pavi's eyes told all at how horrified he looked. Nate and Pavi groaned and found it not amusing, though Lina thought otherwise.

"You seem to like rides, bella," Pavi said after he no longer felt as queasy.

"Of course I am. It's been a while I enjoyed going on rides," Lina said with a smile, "Usually, I don't have much fun because of work, and nobody goes with me because there is always someone being busy."

"I could always go with you if you like," Nate said shyly. Lina looked over at him and smiled warmly at the boy. She let go of her hand holding his and ruffled his hair. Her other hand was still occupied by holding Pavi's.

"I hold you responsible to your promise," Lina told him gratefully.

"I, as well, bella," Pavi said, immediately joining in with a chance to see her glow towards him. Lina looked over at him and smiled warmly at him too. Just like he wanted, she seemed to glow with that smile.

"Thanks Largo, but you know you can't hold that promise," Lina told him. Pavi looked over at her questioningly and almost sad at that response.

"What do you mean, bella," Pavi asked.

"You are a Largo. That is more than enough for you to understand," Lina said, not at all trying to be mean sounding.

Pavi frowned under his mask and knew well what she meant. When that one month period is over, Pavi would return back to his world of money, greed, and desires. There wouldn't be a Lina Masters in his old life. She may even be more spiteful towards him and ignore him, and he could feel a tight knot in his stomach.

It was then a sudden growl of a stomach took Pavi out of his thoughts. He and Lina looked over at Nate. Nate immediately blushed in embarrassment. Lina, of course, chuckled lightly and ruffled the boy's hair again.

"Let's go get some food. Hopefully, uncontaminated ones," Lina told the two males as they walked together in an almost family-like way.

When they had their fill, Lina decided it best not to go on any crazy rides. They decided to go on a Ferris wheel to enjoy the moment. They went into one of the capsule where Lina and Nate sat on one side and Pavi sat opposite of Lina. It was quiet among the three though it was not one of those uncomfortable silence ones but much more of a peaceful and tranquil silence. Nate seemed quite happy about the moment among the three. It almost made him feel that they were a family. And for some reason, he fancied Pavi now unlike before. He found Pavi almost bearable now.

"Are you guys having fun," Lina asked, seemingly all smiles.

Nate nodded with a shy blush on his face and Pavi smiled under his mask, though nobody would be able to see it.

"Of course, since Pavi has a bella to enjoy it with," Pavi said, making Lina chuckle. Usually, she would have hurt him by now. It must be due to her excitement of going on rides that subdued Lina's ill-behavior.

"You two want to go into the haunted house next? I want to see how scary it is," Lina said, looking rather hyped up for it.

"Whatever you want, bella," Pavi answered with Nate nodding as well.

And of course, they went to the haunted house as their next destination. It was quite dark in there. Here and there, the people who made it tried to scare the three. By the time they were done walking in there, only Nate seemed scared out of his wits.

Through it all, Nate held onto Lina tightly as he got scared from the glowing ghost which was a computerized projection. It got more nerve-wrecking for him afterwards as he shivered and sometimes yelped in fright from the scares. Lina just smiled at how easily the boy was afraid.

"It wasn't actually that scary," Lina said with a slight disappointment, "I was hoping to get scared."

Pavi agreed with Lina.

"Even brother is scarier than what they have inside there," Pavi added. Lina chuckled at the comment.

"I almost agree with you there, Largo," Lina said before Nate seemed really pale, "What's wrong, Nate? Was it too scary?"

Nate shook his head and said, "I need to use the restroom." He blushed after saying that comment to Lina. Lina just smiled and looked over at Pavi.

"Could you take Nate to the bathroom," Lina asked him. Pavi and Nate froze at her asking Pavi. Lina rolled her eyes at their expressions. She looked over at Pavi seriously and said, "I'm holding you accountable, Largo. Don't let me down or else I'll do greater damage than I usually do on you." She then sighed and shrugged away her seriousness. "Go on now."

Pavi nodded as he took Nate's hand. There was an awkward silence between the two as they walked together. Strangely, this was the only exception Pavi would hold any hand of a man (or boy for this matter). When they were able to find a small building for bathrooms, Nate immediately ran to the men's room. Pavi waited nearby and looked into the mirror. His white mask hid his face. And for some reason, he touched the outside of his mask, trailing his fingers around it. Two more weeks and however many days until he could have his beautiful face back, he just needed to wait that long. Oh, how cruel it is for him to wait that long.

When Nate came out of the stall, Pavi stopped looking at himself in the mirror and started washing his hands. Nate looked over at Pavi and then turned away. He washed his hands as well. When they both dried their hands, Nate finally spoke up.

"I'm sorry if I make you feel uncomfortable," Nate apologized wholeheartedly.

Pavi looked over at the boy, surprised at the sudden apology. He shrugged and let out his hand for the boy to take. Nate looked at it for a bit before he took it. Pavi gripped his hand protectively, defending his promise to look after Nate even though they were only going to the bathroom. Just as they got out and started to walk towards where Lina would be, Nate accidentally bumped into one of the gangster looking men passing by. The gangster turned around and scowled, stopping Pavi and Nate from walking away further.

"What the fuck? You bumped into me," The skinny one said angrily.

Nate frowned before deeply apologizing to him. The men didn't care for his apology. Pavi frowned before he took out his money. He then held it out for the men to take as he wasn't very good with confrontation with men. If it was Luigi, he would be okay. But if it was any other guy, he would not be able to handle it alone like this.

"If I pay you two, you would leave us alone, correct," Pavi asked. The two men smirked as they took it and started counting. When Pavi and Nate saw them took the money, they started to leaving again but the big and tough one stopped them again.

"It's not enough," the tough one said.

Pavi frowned again before taking more of his money out and handed it to the two guys. The two chuckled and swiped it away from their hands. When the two men counted finished, a smirk played on their lips as the two men surrounded Pavi and Nate. This surprised Nate and Pavi greatly, wondering what they were going to do.

"Thanks for the money, but I'm in the mood in beating up people now," the tough one stated.

"Oh yes, me too," the skinny one agreed before cracking his own knuckles.

Pavi and Nate started backing away, looking for help, but everyone that passed by ignored the trouble and continued on their way. If those people knew it was Pavi Largo, would they still help? Pavi wanted to tell them who he is, but these men wouldn't care. It happened once to Pavi, and he was beaten to a bloody pulp. Fear was evident on both Pavi's and Nate's faces. Just as the two gangsters got close to them, Nate cried out for Lina.

"Lina," Nate yelled out for her help. The two men laughed for a while after the boy called out a woman's name. They came closer to them while Pavi and Nate backed away.

"Aww, is the little bitsy boy scared enough to call for a woman," the skinny one taunted.

Pavi and Nate continued to back away until they fell back on their butts. It was then they saw a person's shadow. They turned around and saw Lina, making both Pavi and Nate relieved. She waved at them with a smile then turned to the two men with a serious expression. The two men noticed the woman and scowled.

"Who are you," the skinny one asked angrily when she interrupted them.

"The name is Lina. Got a problem with that," Lina said with her voice deep with seriousness before she cracked her knuckles.

"Yeah, you are interrupting our fun," the skinny one answered.

"Oh? Hm… why don't I show you some fun? Because I've been itching to go crazy with violence," Lina said before walking around Nate and Pavi and then towards the gangsters. She turned around and winked at Nate and Pavi. "Leave these two guys to me. Why don't you wait for me at the parking lot, will you?"

Pavi and Nate looked over at her worriedly, wondering if she would be okay from her recent injury. But in all, they were about to leave as told before the gangsters spoke up again.

"Hey, you guys are going nowhere," the skinny one stated. Lina gave a small chuckle as if what he said was funny.

"I am enough to entertain you guys," Lina told them. And without looking back, she told Nate and Pavi to leave. When they had Lina's reassurance, they left, leaving her alone to deal with the gangsters. It was then she smirked with her head lowered a bit and eyes staring at them venomously.

The two guys flinched at the sudden change of attitude before being slightly confident again.

"What would a girl like you do," the tough one said, being braver than his outspoken comrade of his.

"Do you know what my job used to be before I became a delivery girl," she asked before she got closer and slowly her expression started to change with each step. "Let me tell you." There was a slight pause before she continued again.

"At an early age, I was chosen to be one of those child suicide bombers. But then, they changed their minds about it," Lina started. Her eyes became darker than before, almost animal-like. The two gangsters shivered at the sight, not listening what she said.

"It was then at a very young age I learned to kill. And as I grew, I became an assassin, a killing machine, a GENcop. But I wasn't just any GENcop. Oh no. I used to be in a special one. Kill without fail. Kill without mercy. Kill all even if it means your life. Unlike Repo men, I only killed those that opposed Geneco, the ones that have great power."

When she was only mere inches away from them, the gangsters started to attack. Afraid if they didn't, they would get hurt. If they were smart enough, they would have run away instead. Just as the tough one attacked her with a punch, Lina swiftly blocked it and did an uppercut on his stomach. He leaned over before the skinny one tried to attack her from behind. She instantly took his arm and flipped him. She then broke said arm by bending until it snapped. The skinny one cried out horribly. It was then she added an unnecessary stomp on the poor guy before he fainted from the shocking pain. She turned back to the tough one again. The tough one's eyes widened in horror at how merciless Lina looked. She made her way towards him while the tough one backed away.

"I hate becoming like this, but you tried to hurt my family. I don't like it when someone does that. It's too bad you weren't lucky as some others. Because if the people I cared about saw me like this, I would have stopped by just making them unconscious. Sad to say, I have to make both of you become crippled," Lina said before she pulled his collar towards her. She met him face to face. "You are unlucky to see me this way." She kneed him on the stomach as he leaned forward in response. Both of his hands held his stomach before she held her hands together and pounded him on his back. He lay flat on the ground before one of her foot was on top of his back. She still held a merciless look before she took one of the tough one's arms and twisted his wrist until it snapped. The tough one cried in pain like the skinny one did before he fainted. Lina patted her hands together before looking up in the sky with a sad expression on her face.

"My fun is spoiled," Lina said quietly before leaving the unconscious bodies behind and went to wash her hands.

When she made her way to Nate and Pavi, she looked to the side and found a red stain on her side. She touched it and felt the wetness of her own blood seeping through her shirt. Sighing, she knew she could not hide her reopened injury from the others. Just as Nate and Pavi saw her, they ran to her, relieved she was okay but frowned that there is blood on her side.

"Lina, are you all right? You're bleeding," Nate said, horrified as he was about to touch her wound, but she stopped Nate on time.

"I'm all right. Let's go to the clothing store," she said softly. Lina then looked over to Pavi. "Thanks for protecting Nate, Largo."

She then started walking towards her van. Nate and Pavi looked over at her retreating figure and found her acting odd. Her happy expression from the fun was no longer evident on her face. The two wondered what happened but ran to keep up when Lina was a little far from them. It was then Pavi's eyes widened and noticed her calling him Largo instead of face-stealer during the carnival and just before. And of course, he knew why he didn't notice at the time because Lina was acting so cheerful it distracted him from noticing the different change in name. He felt happy for a moment before he continued to notice how Lina seemed strangely distant. Even young Nate, though he did not know her for long, noticed the unusual behavior. When they were finally at the clothing store, they were greeted by an old man named Robert. It was the same store Shilo went with Graverobber and the children to get their clothes. When Robert saw Lina, he gave a smile but the smile faded quickly as he noticed the woman's expression.

"Clothes for this one," Lina said coolly, pointing at Nate with her thumb. Robert nodded, not speaking. Usually, the two would joke around, but he seemed to understand the mood and did not try his luck.

Pavi looked rather concerned. And of course, he was about lay a hand on her shoulder to get her attention, but Lina stopped him by snatching his hand and laying it down before she let go of it. She turned to him with a straight face. There was no emotion in those eyes, Pavi noticed.

"Bella, you seem… different," he said, being careful with his words.

"I am not in the mood, Largo," she said coldly. Of course, she wasn't in the mood. Her expression says it all. Pavi tried once more to converse with her and get back the normal Lina he was accustomed to.

"Was it those men, bella? Did they do something to you," Pavi asked. Lina gave a low growl and flashed him a glare. Pavi flinched in response. When she noticed how scared he looked, she turned around and closed her eyes to meditate. After calming herself, she looked back to him with indifference.

"Sorry, I just… don't feel like talking," Lina said quietly before turning back and watched as Robert picked up a few clothes for little Nate.

Pavi stayed quiet after that. It was actually the first time he had become this quiet. After thirty to forty-five minutes of picking up quite a few clothes, Lina paid for it and drove them back to Shilo's house in silence.

Lina then disappeared immediately in search of Shilo. She found the young woman in the children's room. Lina sighed before she closed her eyes with her brows creased in concern. She opened her eyes again and called out Shilo's name. Shilo turned around with a smile, but the smile disappeared instantly just like Robert did when he noticed her expression. The smile turned into a thin line before she immediately went to the opening of the door where Lina was. Lina got out of the room with Shilo behind her as she closed the door. They both made their way into the kitchen to speak privately.

"What's wrong Lina," Shilo said.

"I'm going out for three days," Lina replied.

"What? Why," Shilo said concerned.

"To train," Lina answered simply.

"But what about the Largos? Aren't you supposed to help me watch over them," Shilo said, her eyes changing from concern to fear. Lina sighed before her brows creased and an expression that told her she had no other choice.

"I'm sorry, Shilo, but I need this training," Lina told her, "But Mia and you can handle them. Mia knows how to control people, and I gave you some lessons on self-defense. There shouldn't be anything to be worried about."

"But…" Shilo insisted but gave up when Lina seemed to be determined in not changing her mind. "When are you leaving?"

"Whenever I wake up tomorrow, so that means I will leave even before breakfast," Lina told her. Shilo frowned and was about to say something but then noticed her bloody side of her shirt.

"Lina," Shilo gasped, pointing at the red blood stain. Lina waved, gesturing her not to mind.

"I just need to bandage it again. No worries," Lina told her, "Is Mia still out with that Largo?"

Shilo sighed and nodded, "She won't be home for dinner. She called me and told me she would be having dinner with him."

Lina shrugged before she winced at a thought about Mia and Luigi.

"I'm going to puke if she takes a liking to that Largo," Lina said.

Shilo looked at her questioningly and asked, "Why would you say that?"

"She only goes out to dinner with guys she is interested in," Lina answered simply, cringing once again at the thought.