Perfect Assassins

Kyle:

I sat up and looked around when I heard someone walk past. I watched Michael go then got up and followed him slightly suspicious. “What are you doing?” I asked after watching him for a few minutes.

Michael:

I pulled out the wooden mask first. "This was Ebony's you know? I killed the original owner with a throwing knife." I tossed it into the furnace then picked up the iron one. "This one was Jack's. He would have enjoyed knowing that I had killed its owner with a rocket launcher." I tossed it too into the furnace then picked up the last one, running my fingers over the soft cloth. This was the mask I had worn when I first met Krissy, when it had been my assignment to find out what they knew...then kill them all.

"I want to marry Krissy, I want to give her a happy life. Away from killing, the danger, the fear of what is around the corner...but how can I do that if I can't let go of parts of my past? Twelve masks, the masks of elite killers. To earn the mask you have to kill its owner. I earned all twelve before I was twelve. But for your sister, I am going to give them up. Remove them from this world. I don't want to kill again for money." I whispered that last line.

Kyle:

I watched him silently. His words only reassured me that I was going to do the right thing. It made it just slightly easier. “She’s different you know. You’ve changed her a lot. She’s come so far since she’s known you. But you’ve changed too. I never trusted you before… Krissy is notorious for seeing the good in people. Sometimes it’s the only shred of good. She makes bad decisions based purely on her heart.” I said slowly.

Michael:

"I was close to killing all of you...I had been assigned to do so. Then I met her...and my life changed. I would do anything for her now." I smiled softly and set the mask in my lap and looked up at him. "I really did wish you to be the godfather you know. You are a good man Kyle, better than I could ever be. Though neither of our hands are clean."

Kyle:

“I know. It’s because I don’t want to kill. It’s just a job, I don’t dislike it, but I don’t take any pleasure in it like you, or Krissy.” I shrugged. “Maybe it’s better that she’s not going to be a parent… What are your plans now then?” I asked.

"I never took pleasure in it...well..no I did. It was simply all I knew. And I was good at it, I took pride in being good." I shrugged and looked into the fire, "I plan on marrying her and after that I want to take her somewhere nice and build us a normal life."

Kyle:

I sighed and looked at the ground. Even though I had already decided on what I was going to do, it was hard, and I wanted to prolong it as long as possible. I didn’t want to do it.

Michael:

"I think Jack is looking into where Eric went too. I have never heard him that mad. But he wont do anything as he knows that going after him belongs to you or Krissy." I remarked softly, focusing on the furnace again.

Kyle:

I shook my head. “Krissy wouldn’t.” I said with a shrug. “No, I planned to. After she was… Taken care of.” I sighed. “I wanted to send y’all away, somewhere far, like New Zealand, as a… A Honeymoon gift.” It was hard to finally voice my plan, but now it was out. I had been talking to Lexi and she had been making wedding arrangements for the two, now all that was left was for them to agree to it all.

I froze and my jaw dropped. I got to my feet and looked at him in surprise. Honeymoon gift? I had never thought that Kyle would be the one to say it. To offer something like that. "I-I don't know what to say."

Kyle:

“Lexi has been making arrangements. I just think it would be best for Krissy, to start over, somewhere new, and out of reach…” I meant for them to leave and not come back.

I nodded and then I reached forward and clasped his forearm. "You had better come visit her. I am not afraid of sicking Krissy loose on the world to come ferret you out of hiding."

Kyle:

I sighed again, deeply. There was a reason I hadn’t told her yet. I didn’t want to talk about it, it meant I was losing her, not forever, but the days when we were always together would be over.

"Kyle if there is anything you need me to do please ask. I hope to someday call you my brother, though the time when I earn such a thing might be many years in the future." I told him quietly.

Kyle:

“I just want Krissy to be happy.” I said with a shrug. “And safe.” I added. “But that is a much more difficult thing to achieve.”

I snorted softly, "Safe and Krissy mix as well as oil and vinegar. They go together for a time before they separate into their own things." I nodded then, "But I understand, I will keep her safe."

Kyle:

I smiled a little at the description. “If danger were a needle in a haystack, she would still be able to find it.” I shook my head. “Hopefully once she’s out of this kind of life, she won’t get into trouble as much. She just needs a hobby.”

I stared at him then couldn't help but burst out laughing. I apologized then explained the mental picture that had come into my head, of Krissy trying to make bird houses as a hobby. And the ensuing disasters that would come of it.

Kyle:

I smiled at the mental picture. “It would be a disaster. I meant more along the lines of…. Something to do with helping people. She likes that.”

I nodded, "I will see what I can get her to do."

Kyle:

“Who? Do what?” I heard a soft voice from the door way. “What are you two doing?” Krissy asked, sounding sleepy.

Michael:

I turned to Krissy and held out my arms, the cloth mask still in my hands. "Hey you, come here."

Krissy:

I went to him and leaned against him a little. “What are you two doing down here?” I asked again, sleepily breathing in his scent. I glanced at my brother. He had an odd expression, like he was composing himself in order to hide some emotion. I hoped they hadn’t been arguing.

"I was...removing part of my old life." I responded, lifting the mask up to show her then gesturing towards the furnace. "And Kyle wanted to talk. A shock I know." I teased, in mock surprise. I gave Kyle a smile to show I meant no offense, and that I was trying to give him a way out if he didn't want to explain now.

Kyle:

I gave a soft huff and moved towards the doorway. “I’ll go get diver ready.” I said. I’d tell her then.

Krissy:

I watched him leave then looked into Michael’s eyes. “You’re burning it?” I asked softly, unsure how I felt about the matter. The first several times I had seen him he had been wearing that mask. I only saw his face fully after her had been shot when we were together and I had to care for him. For unexplained reasons my eyes started swimming with tears.