NOTE: Hey, I know most readers don't bother with these, but if you give a rip about the posting date of the next story, this is IMPORTANT. I was saving all of my writing to floppy, and because of that the disk got kind of overloaded or something, because it told me none of my documents could be opened and the disk had to get formatted. I didn't want to format it, because the computer said it would erase everything that was on the disk. So I thought, Screw that! I had my cousin fix it (THANK YOU JOHNNY!) when he got home, but sentences, paragraphs, and two and a half chapters of the next fic got erased. So things may go a bit slower than I originally planned. Sorry, guys. I'll try to fix it just as quick as I can.

DISCLAIMER: Don't remind me. We'd all be better off if one of us had written the LB series, but unfortunately we didn't.

PART FOUR

The Shot

It had been another long day at the grindstone that was Global Community. Nicolae even seemed a bit worse for wear. Small bags under his eyes and a slight slowing of his movements said it all. It was as close to frazzled as Buck had ever seen him. Cameron yawned broadly, then sat down close to his... whatever Nicolae was, ready to veg out with him, a good movie, and the huge bowl of popcorn he'd popped.

Nicolae pressed the play button on the remote, and the pair ignored the previews in comfortable silence. For his part, Buck was too tired to talk. The week had been a crazy one; but then, it always was at GC. He had quickly discovered that working at the GC meant he was even busier than he'd been at the Global Weekly, due to new connections and constant important meetings held here.

A lazy, somewhat tired smile crossed Buck's face as he poked the other man in the ribs. "Hey, you should take your own advice, Nicolae."

"And which bit of advice would that be?"

"The bit about taking a day off now and then so you don't wear yourself out," Buck responded.

"Oh yes. That." Nicolae grinned, stretching his arms. "Soon, perhaps."

Buck grabbed hold of the arm nearest him, and held it hostage. "I don't remember you letting an answer like that slide when I needed rest."

The potentate chuckled. "You make a convincing argument, Buck."

He grinned. "You bet I do. Now relax, for once."

Buck let go of Nicolae's arm and slipped his own behind the Nicolae as the movie started.

---

Those two are so touchy-feely! the assassin grumbled to himself. It would add to the challenge of such a public mark. Currently, the man with the darker hair had his arm around the mark, and the mark's head was soon blocked as the darker-haired one drew the other's head to his chest. That eliminated all the cleaner shots. It was best to take out the mark with one shot. If he had to shoot through a sofa to do it, the first bullet might not kill the mark. The assassin rocked back on his heels, remaining crouched on the rooftop. He could wait; he had great patience.

Late that night, his patience paid off. The fair-haired target shifted, moving to kiss the other man. So that's why that chick got me involved, he thought. He quickly pushed that thought away. He hated to think about it when he was pulling off a job to kill someone just because they were having an affair with the wrong person.

When the mark's companion got up, the mark settled back onto the sofa. A red dot moved along the wall, searching for a target.

---

Nicolae actually jumped at one point during the movie, a horror flick Buck had picked out. He turned, and noticed Buck was a little disturbed by the movie as well. He kissed Buck's lips gently, then murmured, "I will change the movie while you refill the popcorn bowl."

Buck nodded and headed for the kitchen. If he'd been paying attention, he'd have seen it make its journey along the pale sandstone wall, but as it was he was distracted.

"Gotcha," the sniper whispered with a smirk. The slightest pressure on the trigger, and the King of the World would be out of commission, possibly for good. The red dot settled on the bit of upper back that was above the back of the sofa. Look into the scope, make sure my aim is perfect... HA!

The mark was hit.

Shattering glass stopped Buck short. Tiny shards nicked him from the back. He whirled, froze briefly at the many sharp points of pain as the movement drove the glass framents deeper into his skin. "NICOLAE!"

Then another stab of pain made him gasp, and this time the wound was in his chest.

I have to call an ambulance for Nicolae, was Cameron Williams's last thought.

---

Yes, I realize how utterly evil/horrible/nasty/etc. I am for stopping there, but there's nothing like a cliffie to bring in reviews :D So, if you want the first chappie of the next story, (which Ido still have)I suggest you click the little purple button marked "Submit Review." Yeah, I'm holding it for ransom ;)