A/N: Hello to all, I am back with the next chapter of this story. I do intend to wrap this story up soon as it fell its dragged a bit.
Disclaimer: I don't Gunslinger Girl
A bitter Winter wind blew through the city of Florence. Outside, people walked around bundled as much as possible to deal with the cold. In their apartment, James and Elsa were getting ready for this assignment to track down Antonio Russo. Elsa was showering at the moment while James packed. However, the former CIA agent was pre-occupied with thoughts about Elsa.
"I wonder how she's doing?" asked James to himself.
James paused for a moment and shook his head.
"I have to focus. Remember your training." said James.
James continued to pack, but he couldn't shake the persistent thoughts of Elsa.
"Oh Milena, you would help me." sighed James.
James though of his former lover and what she would say.
"You'd tell me to sit down and try to talk to her. I tried that." continued James.
James completely stopped what he was doing.
"Elsa, what could be bothering you so much?" asked James.
James rubbed her eyes with the palms of his hands.
"Why can't you open up?" asked James.
James heard the faucet stop.
"She must be finished." concluded James.
James returned to packing as Elsa got dressed and exited the bathroom.
"I will be ready momentarily." said Elsa.
James looked down and noticed something missing.
"Where's your bracelet?" asked James.
"It wouldn't fit under my bundles of clothing so I have left it." answered Elsa.
James winced slightly but, he tried to hid it.
"Understood. Get ready." said James.
"Right sir." replied Elsa, who walked away.
"Oh Elsa." said James sadly.
Elsa got dressed and packed quickly. She and James then departed looking for Antonio Russo. They searched the seedy underground where they had their best chance. A shady rat approached after overhearing them and offered to give them a lead. He demanded money, but James had Elsa throw him to the ground and jam her pistol in his head. He quickly gave up the information for free as a result. James and Elsa left and headed to a small strip club tucked away among other buildings.
"This is it." said James
"Understood." replied Elsa.
Elsa unbuckled her seat and began to open the door.
"Elsa, I don't think you should follow me." said James.
"Sir, I am your cyborg. I want to follow you." said Elsa.
"It's not appropriate." said James.
"But sir..." began Elsa.
James held up his finger cutting her off.
"Stay here. That's an order." stated James.
Elsa'a conditioning kicked in.
"Right." said Elsa.
James exited the car and walked up to the burly guard.
"ID." said the guard.
James pulled out a fake ID and showed it to the man.
"Go ahead." said the guard.
"This was made by the intelligence so it must be good...or he's an idiot." thought James.
James entered the strip club. It was dimly lite with a long runway ending with a pole. A stage was situated behind it with a thick red curtain blocking the back. On the left, a small bar was situated with an older man at bartender.
"I'll start there." decided James.
James walked over to the bartender.
"What'll it be?" asked the bartender.
"Information." answered James.
James pulled out a picture of Russo and placed it on the bar counter.
"I'm looking for this man and a little bird told me he comes here." said James.
"Yeah. He comes by ever now and again. However, he usual doesn't leave on his own." mused the bartender.
"Too drunk.?" asked James.
"He doesn't seem to understand boundaries." answered the bartender.
"The old "not touching" rule." laughed James.
"Yup. He seems to like grabbing the buttock of many girls and is usually tossed out on his on buttock." explained the bartender.
"I assume you don't know where I can find him." said James.
The bartender pointed to the stage where a brunette had removed her bra and now stripped off her panties leaving herself totally nude.
"She was his favorite girl. She might know." said the bartender.
"Thanks." replied James.
James took the photo and turned around.
"I appreciate it." added James.
James began to walk when the man extended his hand.
"One moment. Please come back." requested the bartender.
James stopped and walked back.
"What do you need?" asked James.
"I need to ask a question." answered the bartender.
The bartender motioned to James who leaned in.
"You're with the government, aren't you?" asked the bartender.
"Maybe." answered James.
"I might not be the best with technology, but I can Google. The fool even used his own name." explained the bartender.
"Did you report him?" asked James.
"I tried, but it mustn't have gone anywhere." answered the bartender.
"Bureaucracy is a bitch." sighed James.
"I am a patriot and I don't want Italy to be partitioned." stated the bartender.
James smiled at this.
"It's good to know people like you still exist. Take care." replied James.
James headed off and went to the back. The guard stopped him but, James flashed his badge and explained the situation so the guard went to talk to the owner. He came back and let James in. James found the girl getting dressed.
"How did you get back here?" asked the girl, "Security!"
"They let me in. My name is James Harrison." answered the ex-CIA agent.
James showed his badge to the girl mused the situation.
"What do you guys want?" asked the girl.
"Information." answered James, "By the way, I didn't catch your name."
"It's Giuliana. Giuliana Amendola." answered the girl.
James pulled out the photo and showed it to the girl.
"I need information about this guy." continued James.
"Oh God. That prick can't let me alone." sighed Giuliana.
"So you do know him." mused James.
"Unfortunately." sighed Giuliana.
"Tell me about him." requested James.
"What is this about?" asked Giuliana.
"He's a wanted terrorist." answered James.
"It figures I would date a terrorist." replied Giuliana.
"Tell me everything." said James.
"It started two years ago. He started stopping by and was eager to throw cash around." began Giuliana.
"Did he say where the money was from?" asked James.
"No. But, he tossed it around like nothing." answered Giuliana.
"Proceed." said James.
"He spent a lot of time but, was too...handy." said Giuliana.
"So I've heard." chuckled James.
"He set his sights on me." continued Giuliana.
"Why did he set your sights on you?" asked James.
"I don't know." answered Giuliana, shrugging her shoulders.
"Go on." said James.
"He and I talked and we actually started dating." confessed Giuliana.
Giuliana sighed and rubbed her face.
"I was such a damn fool!" cried Giuliana.
"What happened?" asked James.
"He was such a mooch. All he did was watch television, surf the web and sleep." answered Giuliana.
"Man, some guy." mused James sarcastically.
"It gets better." said Giuliana.
"Tell me please." requested James.
"The bastard was screwing a co - worker. We had a blowing out and she quit." explained Giuliana.
"Ouch." said James, wincing.
"The bastard still calls me too." added Giuliana.
"Repeat that." said James.
"He still calls me." said Giuliana.
"Excellent." said James softly.
"What do you want with him anyway?" asked Giuliana.
"He's a wanted terrorist responsible for bombing the amphitheater in Verona." answered James.
"Just my freaking luck." sighed Giuliana.
"I want you to help me. Let me tap your phone and I'll trace his call." said James.
"Okay." agreed Giuliana.
Giuliana wrote down her address and gave it to James.
"Tell me, why did you become a stripper to begin with?" asked James.
"A shitty home life." answered Giuliana, "I sometimes think of changing lifestyles..."
"I suggest you try. You're worth a lot more than this." said James.
"Thanks." replied Giuliana.
James left and reported back in to Jean. He then filled Elsa in and she accepted this obeying her handler. They arrived at Giuliana's residence. Giuliana was amazed by the young girl, but James explained by saying she was his partner and suggesting she not ask too many questions. James tapped their phone and they waited but, he didn't call. The scenario repeated the next night as well. Finally, on the third night the phone rang and Giuliana answered it.
"Hello." said Giuliana.
("Hey baby, it's me.") said Russo, on the line.
"Go time." thought James.
"What do you want?" asked Giuliana.
("Geez, you're grilling me. I didn't realize this was the Inquisition.") answered Giuliana.
"You didn't give me a direct answer." noted Giuliana.
("So it's a crime to call your girlfriend now?") asked Russo.
"It is when he's a lazy, two-timing rat." answered Giuliana.
("I told you I'm sorry already.") replied Russo.
"I've heard that before." said Giuliana.
("I really mean it.") said Russo.
"I've heard that one too." replied Giuliana.
("You're busting my nuts...and not in a good way.") said Russo.
James rolled his eyes at this line as Giuliana turned her head.
"What do I do?" asked Giuliana softly.
"Meeting." answered James softly.
"Why did you call?" asked Giuliana.
("I've got a nasty case of blue balls.") answered Russo.
"You're slut can't help?" asked Giuliana.
("She's giving me the cold shoulder. Says I take too much money.") answered Russo.
"Okay Antonio, I'll meet you." said Giuliana, grinding her teeth.
("Hot damn!") cried Russo.
"When should we met?" asked Giuliana.
("I'm ready any time.") answered Russo.
Giuliana fought back the urge to vomit as James did a quick search on his phone.
"The Boboli Gardens." whispered James.
"How about The Boboli Gardens?" asked Giuliana.
("Perfect.") answered Russo.
Giuliana knew full well Russo had an exhibitionism fetish.
("When?") asked Russo.
Giuliana turned again to James.
"Tomorrow night." whispered James.
"How about tomorrow night?" asked Giuliana.
("Sounds great. I'll see ya.") answered Russo.
Russo hung up and Giuliana did the same.
"Thank you very much for your co - operation." said James.
"No problem." answered Giuliana.
Giuliana thought for a moment.
"What are you going to do with him?" asked Giuliana.
"I can't say." answered James.
James saw a hint of concern in her eyes.
"I suggest you forget him. Even if a part of you does love him, he's a low life and a terrorist. You're better off with out him." said James.
Giuliana let out a sigh.
"You're right." agreed Giuliana.
"Tomorrow night, the Serpent of Verona dies." thought James.
A/N: There is chapter forty-one finished and I hope you liked it. Next time, James and Elsa confront Russo. Please review.