-There will be fight. I don't see any other way.- Carmen had been studying the files for hours.

-We will carry some guns.- Alex was sitting next to Carmen on the couch. Her hand rested on Carmen's tummy. Carmen's head rested on Alexandra's shoulder.

-They're just doing their jobs, Alex.

-Your ethical values are an hindrance.

-You are an hindrance to me. Should I kill you?- Carmen asked in a not entirely humorous tone.

-That would upset my father, and, therefor would be very unhealthy for you, but I see your point. Electric guns, then.- Alexandra's index finger slide up and down on Carmen's little bird. Her cut off t-shirt barely covered half her torso.- Why did you chose this name, by the way? It doesn't sound dangerous.

-I don't have a good explanation. The tattoo is there for a reason, but it's intimate, I'm afraid. I'm sorry.

-No, no. Don't worry.

-When I went to Lucia's church for the first time I needed a code name. This is the first one that came to my mind. That's all. Not interesting. So! What are we having dinner?

-You tell me, it's your turn.

-Mmm, I cook much better when I'm unchained, you know?- Carmen kissed Alexandra's neck just below her chin.

-Yeah..., no thanks.- Alex laughed and kissed Carmen on the lips.- You also fight better.

-Oh, trust me, dear. I don't want to damage this pretty face.- Carmen caressed Alexandra's cheeks, the chains rattling below.

-I don't trust you, and my face is not pretty.- No one had told her such a thing in many years.

-You shouldn't trust me, and your face is pretty.- Her face was actually pretty and her body was in a good shape but her aesthetic choices concealed it all.

A month and a half had passed since the robbery at Schaffer's state. Their relationship had changed, but not enough in Carmen's opinion. She needed more, though she didn't know exactly how much. They had finished a couple more of jobs and their coordination and sinergy was much better. Carmen had spent some whole days without any chain restraining her. Alex didn't regret those brief leaps of faith, except because Carmen had found her weak spot next to her ribs and used to tickle her, which she considered annoying, yet relatively funny. From time to time Carmen pretended to be caught while she was changing and flashed some flesh. Carmen accompanied those moments with jokes or sarcastic comments, as she didn't want to make Alex feel uncomfortable, but just the opposite. Alex was supposed to feel interested, pleased, and wanting more, and it worked. The words “ma'am” and “miss” had already disappeared, replaced, perhaps, by “dear”, and a few “bitch”. There was, in fact, a rather unorthodox kind of friendship. The next job would be within a week or two, and they were already arranging it.



The gap between the two battlements was big enough. They were looking for some paintings but that castle had a lot more of interesting stuff. There was a particular renaissance marble statue so beautiful that made Carmen fall in love in seconds. She had to look for a wheelbarrow and then carry the statue to the rendez vous point. That made her lose some valuable minutes with the alarms already trying to ruin her day. Fortunately Alex had been punctual and the truck with all the straw loaded was in its place.

The straw was meant for a woman, not for a marble statue but Carmen hoped that it would be enough. She threw the statue and then she jumped. She got up as quickly as possible and knocked on the cristal on the back of the cabin. Alex started the engine and pressed the gas pedal, seconds before the castle guards could reach the spot where Carmen had jumped. The truck wasn't very fast, so Carmen could easily sneak into the cabin.

-What was the second bump?

-It was me. The first one was the god Apollo in marble.

-What!? We wanted paintings.

-Yes, they are here.- She showed Alex the leather case she had on her back where the three paintings would be safe and sound.

Carmen looked at their back. Alex had pocked a knife into the wheels of the guard's cars while they were distracted looking for Carmen. They weren't going to be a problem. The problem was in front of them. Two jeeps with four more guards coming from the fields surrounding the castle. They did a random surveillance route so the women couldn't figure out where exactly would they be and take care of them before breaking into the castle. So, the plan was to fight them as far as possible from the castle guards who would have to run. Therefore, they had a few minutes tops to overpower four big guys.

-Is it hot?- Alex could help herself staring at Carmen's toned legs clad in her new tight latex catsuit.

-Eyes on the road, missy. Hotter than your turtleneck, leather gloves, military pants and a sky mask? Yeah, probably, but I love the feel. Besides, you clearly like how do I look.

-They are here...

The two jeeps blocked the women's path. The men had batons. Carmen left the paintings on the seat while Alex shut down the engine, and produced a electric gun from her pocket. They got out of the truck slowly and calm. Carmen knew she could do that but Alex worried her. She had to be fast.

One of the guards showed Carmen a couple of cinches. She had no intention to use them. She kicked the guard on the shin with her thick leather boot and quickly faced the other one. He tried to hit her with the baton on her arm but she dodged. This wasn't her first dance with guards and batons and she knew the sequence. The guard attacked, aiming at her hip. She grabbed his arm. Punched on his face. Two. Three. Stunned him. Yanked on the baton and the problem was out. Got closer to him. Punched on the liver. Kicked on the ankle. He bent down. Knee against nose. The other guard came. She used the first one as a shield. The second stopped his attack. The first one was still bent. Placing her foot on the guards bent leg she took momentum and jumped. Her elbow hit on his nape. One down. The other one hesitated but didn't retreat. She dodged the attacker baton. Straight to his face. Dodged the baton. Straight. Again. Again. He hesitated again and stopped his attack to much time to plan a new tactic. She jumped forward and hit on his neck with her elbow. He was already defeated. Attacked with the baton leaving his back vulnerable. She squatted. Punch on the kidney. Dodged the baton. He was very slow. Two punches against his mouth. He wasn't fighting. She grabbed his face. Jumpwd. Using the force of the fall she slipped inside his two legs to make him roll over her back. His coccyx hit hard on the ground. Another punch knocked him out.

On the other side of the truck Alex was in trouble. She had taken care of one of the guards, but they had hit her several times. The logical half of Carmen's brain took a short rest. She grabbed his wrist, whose hand was holding the baton. She hit on his elbow with her forearm and his bone pierced his skin on the wrong side. He screamed. She grabbed the baton and hit on his mouth with it using both hands. Some of his teeth left their lifelong home and he fell to the ground unconcious.

-Are you ok?- Alex had some brushes but nothing too serious.

-Yeah, thanks..., let's go.- The other guards weren't far. Alex stabbed a couple of wheels with the knife she had on her pocket and got into the cabin.

They drove in silence for a few minutes until they reached an isolated area next to a small lake and took off their sky and latex masks. They loaded the paintings and the statue inside a van they had left there earlier. Alex placed a rock on the trucks gas pedal so the it plunged itself into the lake. They changed their clothes into something more comfortable and less flamboyant, and sat down on the van to take a short break, this time Carmen on the driving seat.

-You are a better fighter than myself.- Asked Alex finally accepting the truth.

-I don't think so.- She lied.- I've been lucky, that's all. The pros went after you.- Carmen could see that Alex wasn't buying that story entirely.- We have ropes back there. Tie me up, if you want.

-Our first day you were tired.

-You won, fair and square. That's the truth.- She lied.- Are you going to use the ropes, or can I drive in peace?- Alex hesitated for a moment and then shrugged her shoulders and nodded.- But first...- Carmen grabbed Alexandra's sweater near the neck and pulled. Alex was tense so Carmen stopped and looked her in the eyes. Alex closed her eyes and kissed Carmen. They used their tongues for the first time.



A couple of weeks later the chains weren't necessary anymore. Alex made the decision because one night she fell asleep with her head resting on Carmen's tummy. When she woke up Carmen was still there. She said that she didn't want to awaken her with the rattling of the chains, which was true. That day Alex accepted that Carmen didn't want to hurt her, which was also true.

They were working on their next project. A computer program inside a hard disk inside a bunker. Too ambitious in Alexandra's opinion, but Carmen was still trying to figure out a strategy. Carmen had fell asleep with her head on Alexandra's thigh, and she was caressing her hair. Carmen had let it grow a bit and some curls had started to take shape.

-What are you doing to me?- Alex was talking to the sleeping Carmen.- I cannot understand. Why do I like you? Why am I still alive?- Carmen wasn't actually asleep, but pretending. Her plan had worked so well that a brief and subtle roguish smile crossed her lips. She was pretty sure that Alex hadn't noticed.- You are awake, you filthy liar!- She wasn't angry at all. She assumed that cArmen was just fooling around.- You cannot fool me, you should already know..., that...- Alex then realized something.

-Oh, shit! Fuck! Back to the square one.

-You cannot fool me...- Alexandra's train of thoughts was traveling fast.- No... No, no... No!- She got up quickly and reached her phone which was on the table next to the laptop.- You, slut! How can you...? You traitor!- Alexandra's anger was boiling. She pointed the phone at Carmen, who placed her hands on her crotch and braced herself for the shock.

Instead, Alex turned around and went to Carmen's bedroom. She came back with Carmen's clothes, wig, and all the stuff she was carrying the night she was kidnapped, and threw them at her. Then she went to her bedroom, took some cash and the countess' necklace and left them on the table.

-What is...?- Asked Carmen.

-This is yours, money for the cab, and your fucking necklace. Take them and leave.- Alex was still holding her phone. A couple of tears had formed on her eyes. The chastity belt was released.

-But...

-Shut up!- Alex yelled.- Leave! Please...- She dropped the phone and fell to her knees.- Please...- She was sobbing.- Please, don't hurt me more. Please, leave. Please...- Her voice was weaker with each sentence.

Carmen could have said many things to comfort her and help her understand. A part of her wanted to do it. But there was no point. That woman had kidnapped her and made her work for her. She had threatened her with torture and recurrent mentions of her sadistic father. She had chipped her. She was her enemy. Besides, she clearly wan't in the mood to talk. Carmen took the money and left.



When she arrived home José was there. He was overjoyed and tried to hug her.

-Not now!

-What!?- His joy was cut off abruptly.- Carmen..., it's been two months! Where have you...?

-Not now, please. Let me take a shower. Just a moment.

The moment was actually more than an hour. She looked at that angry, self centered monster in front of her, on the mirror. She caressed her little bird, and remembered her father. Both her parents were very young when she was born. Her mother died a few months after that. Her dad took care of everything alone. He was a good person and a good father, but deep in his mind he was resentful because he had been uncapable of enjoying his youth. He died in a car accident when Carmen was sixteen and left her alone..., until she met José in college. She made a promise in front of her father's tombstone and drawed a symbol on her skin, so she would never forget. Keep going, never stop, live, enjoy..., the bird insisted.

-Yes! I fucking now! Shut up!

She finally calmed down. As much as her two months of slavery angered her, he didn't deserve that. She put on one of José's t-shirts. He loved when she did that. She went to the living room, where he was sick worried waiting for her. He was on the couch, looking at the TV, which had been off all the time. She sat on his thighs straddling him. She hugged him tightly. There was no need for words. Not for the moment.



After two months The hummingbird returned to Lucia's church. That was a shock for many of the regulars. The rumors were anything but promising. She went directly to Prosper's office. Everyone got the message, The hummingbird was going to hunt an insignificant insect. When she got in the office Prosper had already placed a gym bag on his desk with a respectable amount of money.

-I had no choice. I had to sell you. You know that.

-Yes.

-The money is in the bag. You are quite expensive, I must say.

-Yes.- She took the bag and turned around.

-So, are we even?- She didn't answer, but she didn't walk away either.- Because I have more jobs waiting for you. Are you interested?

-Yes.