Cassidy

A chill in the blue eyes set in the pretty face make absolutely clear the state of mood Cassidy was in as the silver truck peeled up the driveway, this time without Johann accompanying her. He'd wanted to, of course... but she'd forbidden it. This was a private matter, the history of it unknown even to Johann, and she was determined that it would remain that way.

But as she shut down the engine, Cassidy took the moment to compose herself, wiping all but her usual smirk from her face. This was Ben that she was going to see; she had to be on top of her game. When she'd calmed herself again and made quite certain that she was displaying only those emotions she wished to, Cassidy leaned briefly on the horn to attract attention and got out of the truck, her ever-present seductive smile in place.

Benjamin Linus

With no one in his home to see him, Ben didn't hide the annoyance when the horn blast interrupted him from his current reading. With a short sigh, he noted the page number and set the novel down. Adjusting his glasses briefly, the man headed towards the door and peered through the window to identify the source of disturbance. Her A thin brow raised in curiousity before he adopted a mildly pleasant facade and opened the door. "Good evening, Cassidy. I see that Johann isn't with you?" The question was offered in a general tense, and his absence led the man to believe that this was either some trivial matter, or something personal on Cassidy's account.

Cassidy

The young woman greeted Ben with her smile, fiddling with her hair in her usual flippant manner as she let the eyes trail up to him, giving him a sweet smirk that she knew he wouldn't believe. "Just thought I'd drop by for a visit, Ben... see if you managed to make it back in one piece once you snuck out of the hospital like that."

Benjamin Linus

Like Cassidy, Benjamin knew that this was just a game of charades for the two of them, exchanging fuax demeanors and speaking on a simple level that held more meaning that the average simpleton could ever have guessed. "I appriciate the concern." He replied with a smile ever present on his face, even though he could pretty well assume that she did't care about his wellbeing, any more than he did about her's.

Benjamin stepped back from the enterence-way now, holding the door open to invite Cassidy in. Although he hadn't any recent problems with the Akatsuki since their last attack, he didn't want to take any chances right now, "Won't you come inside? I have a feeling we've got some catching up to do." Unless it was Aralyn, no one just stopped by his house for a pleasant visit or a nice cup of tea.

Cassidy

It was such a comical thing, if only anyone could understand these two grown people, tiptoeing around and playing this little game of pleasant politetude, almost like old friends, if not for the fact that it was all an elaborate lie. She returned his smile with a softened one of her own that really did look concerned, to the untrained eye, but again she did not expect him to believe it for a moment. Ben wasn't just your everyday, run of the mill guy... of course not, or she wouldn't be coming to him with this particular problem.

But before the First Movement could be played, the Overture had to come to an end, which meant more of the clever gesturing, which Cassidy obligingly produced. "Well somebody's got to look after you, Ben... living all by yourself up here, miles from civilization." This was aid as she stepped in the door, immediately removing the dark, form-fitting woolen coat she'd thrown over her clothes, revealing her always-immaculate attire, today in a soft, filmy dress of blue that matched her eyes and was actually quite modest, considering her usual style. Her voice was light and airy as she said, "So, what have you been doing with yourself since I saw you last?"

Benjamin Linus

Re-entering the house, Benjamin swept a hand towards a nearby sofa, motioning for Cassidy to sit down. As long as the game was being played with the rules of niceties, he happily obliged, "Catching up on some novels, for the most part." With a quick, casual look outside, the spiked-haired man closed the door and strolled for the kitchen as he continued to talk, "It has been relatively quiet here, to be perfectly honest." It was something of a lie, considering he had taken part in abducted an Akatsuki, and tried his luck as setting the groundwork for a new alliance.

Benjamin returned to the living room in short time, handing a glass of water to Cassidy before setting himself in a chair opposite of her. "And what about yourself?"

Cassidy

She smilingly took the indicated seat, looking with interest about the room, which she hadn't really had opportunity to analyze during the attack. Nothing particularly remarkable, rather a kind of cozy bachelor's sitting room.

Cassidy accepted the glass from Ben with a smile and a nod of appreciation, not even giving it a second thought as she took a sip. If Ben had wanted her dead, he'd have found some other, more creative way to do away with her, if only because she particularly and personally irritated the life out of him. No, this water was perfectly safe, and she sipped it without a qualm, looking over the rim as he spoke. "Quiet? I don't know if I'd use that word." Her tone altered just slightly from its pleasantness as she said this, now using her other hand to toss the bloodstained arrow, which had been disguised bound in her garter under the filmy, knee-length dress, onto the carpet at his feet, in its two splintered halves.

She let this little bit of drama hit home for a second before she noted casually, "I don't think our dagger-wielding friends like me very much."

Benjamin Linus

Neutral, warm browns and pale beige were the main accents of the room, with a few bookshelves stacked full of novels to account for one of his favorite hobbies. A desk was huddled to the back corner, neatly topped with more books, files, and other various nick-knacks that further attested to his estudious behaviors.

Anyone else who knew his darker side might not have sipped so carefree from the glass, but Cassidy had guessed perfectly well. The water was nothing more than water, and as he took another sip from his own cup and set it down, his sky-blue eyes followed the broken shaft that she tossed to the ground. "No, I should say not." Ben reached to pick the broken peices up, using a finger to reposition his specticles before holding the arrow up and looking it briefly over, as if he might gleen some vital bit of information from it.

"I heard there were reports of gunfire out on North Hill. Would it be a stretch to say you were involved in that?" He questioned, citing the well known name 'North Hill' as the area of fancier houses along Division and it's neighboring streets on the east side.

Cassidy

As expected, this got a subtle reaction out of Cassidy, and she gaze him a smile over the edge of her glass before she too set it aside, leaning back into the couch. "A stretch? Probably not. But that's not where that particular arrow came from. That one I got while on the planks of a bridge where you and I first met. What followed was merely the result."

All this time, her eyes were casually on Ben, studying him with as great care as he studied the arrow fragments, wanting to see what his reaction would be to this idea.

Benjamin Linus

A brief chuckle sounded when it was affirmed that she was at the shootout, but his susicions jumped at the words that had come before it. Shot at the bridge? It was known for it's uncanny attraction for gang members, and it wasn't a rare thing for there to be scuffles or all-out gang wars errupt on the old structure. But without knowing more details, he could only make broad speculations as to why Cassidy had an arrow lobbed her way, and why she had come to him about it.

"Were you alone?" The broken bit of arrow was set down on the table, as his smiling demeanor had shifted faintly for the more serious. Not in a way that conveyed concern, but one that came with a man who's mind was running with a thousand different calculations and thoughts, trying to dicern how this would involve him and just how he should handle this young woman.

Cassidy

The shift in the conversation was what she was looking for, and though the smile never left her face, it did darken just a touch into something no quite so innocent. "Yes, quite. The bridge was quite abandoned, which was unusual. But I didn't come here to tell you that I'd been shot, Ben. If we come right down to it and are completely honest, you'd like to see me dead as much as I'd like it on you. I've come here because you owe me a favor, and I mean to redeem it now."

Her words were simple now as she got up from the couch, wandering over to a shelf and selecting a book, opening the pages and thumbing quickly through before putting it back on the shelf, commenting lightly, "I read that one when I was a teenager. Not a bad plot, but the wording's hard to get through. Plus, I was always one more interested in history and biographies. Character studies, you know."

But now she turned back to him, the pleasant smile back, now saying, "My request is simple. I want the fellow that fired the arrow to vanish. Use whatever method you like, but I want him to disappear, and permanently."

Benjamin Linus

A hasty, empty smile flashed across his features for the duration of a second before dissolving back into its former look of concentration. There weren't many that dared to speak outloud on such a contract as these two were engaged in, where eachother's lives were only as good as they were still useful to the other, "And I am a man of my word. You did me a favor, and I will return it." Benjamin declared with quiet finality, lying through his teeth as he spoke.

Watching now as she continued to treat the situation as if it was only a trival thing, he had to admire her stunning control over emotions and problems. But as much as he admired these aspects, even more he felt threatened by them, though he remained just as level-headed, "I wouldn't have pegged you for a reader." Benjamin commented back, the subtle, but eerily more hollow smile flitted back to his thin lips.

As the main topic was visited upon again, Benjamin never once looked startled or surprised. He merely gave a light nod as his eyes traveled from Cassidy towards the table, lost in thought. After a moment, he looked back to her, "And just who would this person be?"

Cassidy

His question got a bit of tinkling laughter out of the girl, light and airy and carefree, a laugh that would turn heads in a bar, and yet could still be a comforting, innocent sound. But instead of answering the query, she replied to his comment. "Oh-ho, you're cute. I haven't had the time to read in years. I still enjoy it when I have the chance, but recently my life has been occupied with other matters."

She was fiddling again with a lock of the blood-red hair, which she flicked in a minx-like fashion in Ben's direction before the sweet, innocent quality faded out of her, bringing back that dark smile as she drew the hank of crimson over her lips and breathed the name on a husky whisper. "Rasputin Remington Carlyle."

Benjamin Linus

In contrast to the gravity of the situation, he gave another flash of an unsincere smile, "I suppose I can understand that one. Gang life; not one of the easiest professions out there." Whether his comment was meant to be conceding or not was left up to interpretation.

When the name was given, Benjamin again showed no change in emotion, and only let the reply sit and mull in the privacy of his head for another long moment. He had to sort out how much he thought she knew of this kid, and carefully shy around any inclination that he had any previous connections to the teen. In truth, the revelation had him stunned - why would Conan shoot Cassidy...? The boy was not part of the gang, although his brothers had been, if he was remembering the last name correctly.

"Carlyle... the name rings a bell." Benjamin began slowly, as he tried to conjure up some way to get more information on the matter without arousing any suspicion on his part. He certainly didn't hold the teen in any special favors like he did Aralyn, but... this was a decidedly tricky dilemna. The benefits of Cassidy and Conan had to be weighed very carefully, "It strikes me curious as to why a Carlyle would be sided with the Akatsukis." This was thrown out in a general, speculative tone.

Cassidy

Now she let a smile of her own spread, no more real or genuine than his, and replied, "None of my professions are easy. But then almost nothing worth doing is, these days." This was said with an air of casual lack of care, as if this were but a minor point in the scheme of things.

The pause he provided told her that there was obviously more to this request than she thought, but she couldn't begin to guess what, so that secret, at least, was safe for now. Instead, she used the moment to make thoughts of her own, deciding herself exactly how much she was going to know about Conan and his brothers.

And, by the time he spoke, she'd reached a decision. "I should hope it did. The two elder brothers of that line lead Brushfire, the gang that was established in and ruled Atroe City before the Cryptic Silvers came in and took over. Both of them, as far as I could find, are dead, killed in the war for the city. Rasputin is the third of them, with a kid named Raimi the fourth, and younger by about thirteen or so years. Such a prominent social movement in the city would surely not have passed by without your notice, Benjamin Linus, so you can drop the act of ignorance."

She was being more blatantly direct than usual today, but her smile never faltered, and even grew as she called out his reservation, and more as she said, "Perhaps the boy looks down on some of the deeds I have done." She took a peculiar delight in turning his own evasive words upon him, and it showed in the light of her eyes as she twitched that infuriating smirk at him.

Benjamin Linus

Another chuckle followed through after her explanation, and when she called him out on his feigned ignorance, he gladly took the opportunity to reassert his knowledge, "Ah, now that you remind me - I believe I do recall a few more details on the family." Despite the renued smile, there was a touch of irritation in his eyes, and a certain clipped quality to his words that spoke on the aggrivation that she had the gall to so boldly point out his evasiveness, "Mr. Carlyle, a short-tempered man, the town drunkard, who's whereabouts are unknown." He was tempted to throw in a little bit more on the man, but couldn't afford to with someone as sharp as Cassidy around, "And Mrs. Carlyle, found murdered on the outskirts of town, and listed as unsolved. Two sons, Rasputin and Raimi Carlyle, are the only other known descendants. I guess I do remember a little about them afterall."

Once more, the humor and pleasantries were gone, and now his features bore a more intent and serious look than ever, "While I am obliged to carry out this task for you, as I fully intend to, it makes me wonder why you or your friend can't accomplish the task on your own?" A thin brow rose up in accusing suspicion, bring forth the question more directly this time.

Cassidy

The tiny change in the sounds of his words, small as it was, let her know she'd hit a nerve. But she also kept her lovely smile in its proper position, listening to him list the details, all of which, of course, she'd already known. She managed to keep her amusement to herself, laughing quietly in the private corners of her mind. "Oh, come on now, Ben-" she said, adopting a strange, ill-educated accent, "-my Mama didn' raise no stupid chird'ren."

And, just as abruptly, she slipped gracefully into a more cultured, Spanish-accented voice. "Do you think for a moment that I don't know that would be nigh unto disastrous? That he knows that the Akatsuki use bow and arrow rather than firearms, and down to the kind of fletching they use, evidences a keen intelligence in him. Think you for one second that he hasn't made his own assumptions of me? I doubt seriously that I could get within dagger's distance of him right now."

Benjamin Linus

The simplest solution to this particular dilemna would be to kill Conan, who lacked any significant allies, and, as far as Benjamin was aware, had no one that would report him as missing. Offing Cassidy was the other option, but that would prove a far more delicate task, considering those she had connections to - including those he may not be aware of. The one kink that was thrown into it all was Aralyn, who's fondness for Conan made the man terribly reluctant to kill the teen.

"You make a good point." The response sounded both distracted and thoughtful, with no inkling of annoyance or aggitation at the mocking tones she had earlier used. His eyes were no longer on her, but roving blankly as the gears in his mind were winding to churn out a fix for this mess. When bits and pieces of a potential plan began to fall into place, he worked carefully but smoothly as he turned fully on Cassidy, "It will be done. But tell me one thing, Cassidy. Why do I get the pleasure of killing off the last of the Carlyle line?" His eyes grew more thoughtful still, his voice wondering and curious, "I mean, if I were James... why, I'd love nothing more than destroying the last of my enemy."

Cassidy

She noted his phrasing well, and this time it was her turn to be surprised, though it didn't show any more than his had. Unlike his wandering gaze, though, hers never left him as she carefully considered what that small phrase had told her. At long last, she spoke once more, something strange but not quite identifiable in her voice. "The last? What makes you say it in that fashion? As if he were the end of an era...? He's not even the last Carlyle brother, as well you know, and as far as you've spoken, and as I was able to find, the father is not dead. What makes you speak of it in that way?"

Ben was now discovering just how complicated things could get when you cared for someone, something which he probably hadn't done in a long time, and was now cursing himself for. If she'd been aware of the thoughts harbored so closely in his mind, she'd have been grateful that it was he, not she, faced with that, for her one unseen, unspoken weak spot was Johann. Uncle Johann... father to her in every way with the small exception of technical genetics... oh yes, she would also have been as uncomfortable, in his place.

Benjamin Linus

The man shifted back into a casual demeanor, talking lightly as if this were a conversation about a favorite book, and not of someone's murder, "Mr. Carlyle is not one I would consider much of a threat to you or your gang." After taking another sip of water, he leaned back into his chair and repositioned his glasses again, "As for the other brother..." A smirked worked over his face, "...unless I'm mistaken, and please correct me if I'm wrong... but haven't your people already taken care of that?" As of right now, he had no clue that Raimi had been rescued by Conan, but because of how they flaunted the toddler about town, he had known for some time that the CS had taken posession of the toddler.

Cassidy

That got a smile out of her once more, and she now drew a blade, flipping this casually between her two hands as she said, "My gang? My people? Make no mistake, Ben. They are a means to an end. They are useful allies to have when one requires numbers to battle with, but as with any group, they have their faults, which I cannot be bothered to account for or ignore. I told you, whether or not you believed me: I have many groups by which I am accepted, but not expected to return the favor by word or deed. I use them for my amusement and set them aside. Such connections are often useful, don't you think?" Her smile grew wider again, knowing well enough that she was not the only one with whom Ben himself had that very same kind of connection.

But his second question darkened her facade, this time unseriously, as she said, "Oh my, but you're behind, Ben. That story is old. Three and a half hours ago, Rasputin and that Indian fellow were both face down on the floor of an old warehouse, waiting for death, and three hours ago they reclaimed his younger sibling from them and disappeared. That was foolishness on my part. I assumed that a bloody gang could execute somebody without too much trouble... looks like I lost that gamble. Last time I'll assume something." Truly, in an odd sort of way, she was glad that the Cryptic Silvers hadn't managed to kill him. That was too impersonal, but she hadn't dared interfere with Jame's wrath over the attack on Sheryl. Not directly, in any case. The only thing she done was not inform him, when he'd declared their destination, that a pack of wild dogs had taken up residence in the warehouse in question. She hated Conan enough to want him taken care of in a very, very personal way... and Ben would see to it that it happened.

Benjamin Linus

So, Raimi was with Conan now? That certainly changed the game plans a little, and he seized upon the opportunity this new card threw at him. All the while, his facade retained the calmness that he had set about it. "Ah yes, the clever rogue." Benjamin replied coolly, watching her keenly, "Use others to your favor, without the hassel of owing homage or allegience to anyone. It must be loney, being at the top." The smirk flickered into a smile, before dissolving once again, his searching eyes still looking for the slightest of signs that would betray some true emotion in the girl.

Whether or not this got a rise out of her, Benjamin returned to the matter of Conan, "What of Raimi?" Even in the short bit of time that he learned of the toddler's whereabouts, Ben already had a vague plan mapped out.

Cassidy

Again his comments brought a bit of laughter out of her, but this time in true and genuine amusement, which she let him see, without regret. "Now really, Ben! Haha... at the top? What use is that? To be at the top of any organization, in any position of power, is to be noticeable, and thus a subject of scrutiny. It keeps one from carrying out whatever other plans one might have had. As you say, I am a clever rogue. I choose not to be noticed. It makes my life much simpler." She half-stifled a couple more giggles before his second question reached her.

That, too, made her pause, wondering why the man so particularly was interested in Conan's younger brother. But she easily provided a vague, flippant answer to it, which might have indicated that she considered him of no import. "What of him? He is a small thing and, like all small things, completely serves himself and his family. At this point, he is of no consequence."

Benjamin Linus

It was certainly a response of emotion, but not the kind that he had been searching for. He was mindful to hide his disappointment and search for another angle to try, "The trick of being in power is being noticeable to only those who you have power over." Though, he had to admit it was a tedious thing playing a double face and keeping his people happy and loyal to him.

"No consequence?" Here was another angle he would try his luck on exploiting, "Let me make it simpler - dead or alive?" This was questioned without an ounce of emotion.

Cassidy

His remark got a knowing smirk out of her, along with the enigmatic comment, "Well, you would know." That was definitely a taunt, and half an insult, if he should connect it to the fact that his notice-ability had been what caused the Akatsuki's attack on him. But still, this was said all in the manner of casual politeness.

And here, for the first time, Ben won part of the situation. Her gaze turned just a mite too sharp for mere intellectual analyzation as she looked up at him, her voice low, and with a barely noticeable measure of weight that hadn't been there before. "Of whom are we speaking at this point, Benjamin Linus? The teen, or his little brother?"

Benjamin Linus

That little throw back wiped the smirk of his own face, though he wasn't about to let anger wrestle the control from his mind. "Touché." Ben certainly hated being called out on his mistakes, but it was folly to try and explain himself out of that one.

"Does it matter?" The subtle changes in her tones and gaze signaled that he had touched upon something, and he replied in manner that was equally as emotionless as when he gave the question, "I know as well as you that Rasputin will have his brother with him wherever he goes. Why not kill two birds with one stone?"

Cassidy

She was thinking, while he formed his response. There had been a time when Cassidy couldn't have cared one way or the other whether Ben saw fit to kill Raimi or not. But that was before... before Raven, before... Isaiah.

But the continued, determined equanimity of his voice alerted her that she had let something slip, and she moved to remedy that quickly, and still give a good reason as to why she didn't want the boy dead. "Because I still have my alliance to protect, my good fellow. Sheryl has grown quite fond of the boy... as a matter of fact, I'd be obliged if you brought him to me, alive and well, so that I could return him to her. It would merit for me to owe you a favor, if you did. It'll save me the pain of having to endure her whining over him."

Benjamin Linus

He had no clear way of knowing just what that slip up had been caused by, but he knew something in what he said had affected her. While determined to figure it out, Ben wasn't going to push for it right now, although he did give a hinting of a smile and a reply that suggested he didn't fully believe her explanation, "Of course." He glanced once to his wrist, checking the time, and then looked back to Cassidy, "Do you need proof of his death, or will my word and Raimi's return to the CS be good enough?" If he was going to work this plan to meet his own needs, he had to know exactly what schemes were needed to pull it off.

Cassidy

She pretended not to see the bit of smile or hear the half-taunt in his voice, though it was indeed on her mind. She knew, sure as death comes for everyone, that she'd just made a mistake, letting him see something so close to her inner sanctum, so much a part of her heart, even for that half-second. Instead,she focused her reply completely on his second statement, and quickly smothered whatever else was running through her mind to turn that sneaky smile up to him, once more in control of her own faculties. "You'll forgive me, sir, if I ask for proof. This is the second time that he has managed to elude death. I will not be able to rest comfortably until I know that he is out of my way." A hint of her familiar tease was there, and the last part of the phrasing slightly over-dramatic.

Benjamin Linus

An almost humorous smile lit in the back of his mind when she mentioned how the teen had a knack for escaping death. Once again, he found the name to be an ironically fitting one for the kid, who seemed to be on everyone's list lately, and had gone through his fair share of physical torment. "Understood. You will have confirmation of his death." This would make things just a hair more difficult, but it was by no means out of his range of abilities. "Give me four days at the most, and Rasputin will be taken care of."

Cassidy

She nodded to confirm her understanding, and got to her feet, now putting the dagger back away as she gave him a neat curtsy, which was half in air of a jester. "I shall be beholden to you sir, for your assistance." And, just to be annoying in a different way, she moved forward quickly and pecked his cheek, just as she had done the night they first met, and scampered out the door.