"You don't even know, do you? You young guys! You think you're so fast, so good! Always trying to rack up the numbers, break records! Well Hot Shot, you screwed up again last night. That young couple you hit in the parked car on Lovers Point was the wrong couple!"

Tony sat back in his .office chair and pushed his bowler derby back on his forehead, leering at Angelo as he drummed his fingertips on his round, bulging stomach, as if waiting for an explanation.

"I'm sorry Boss! It was a mistake, it won't happen again, I swear!" That's right! It won't happen again! I'm sending you back through training, maybe even put you behind a desk for a while." Tony reached into a file drawer and tossed a file on the desk.

"Here's your paperwork. Report to the Training Center first thing in the morning."

"But Boss!" pleaded Angelo, "one more chance! Please!"

"Sorry kid, it's out of my hands. You know the rules, three strikes, you're out. Last night was your third, now beat it!"

As the humbled youth walked out the door, Tony reached over and pressed the intercom, "Send for Victor."

"Right away sir." his secretary replied.

In less than five minutes the middle aged Victor entered the room silently.

"You sent for me Tony?" he asked in a soft, serious tone.

Tony looked up from his papers with a start, unaware that Victor had entered. Victor looked the same as always. His darkening, brown curly hair still showing the blond highlights of his youth and his steele-grey eyes with the same piercing look Tony remembered.

"Vie! You old son-of-a-gun! Great to see you again!" burst Tony as he sprang from his chair and the two friends embraced.

"Here, sit and let me pour you a glass of nectar." he motioned as he filled two shot glasses from a crystal decanter, handing one to Victor as he took his seat.

Vie sipped from the small glass, smacking his lips lightly. "Always the connoisseur huh Tony? What's on your mind?"

I need a favor old friend. I had to let another one go today. A young hot dog, messed up his third hit last night. Would you mind taking his contracts till I can get a replacement?"

Vie nodded slightly, "Sure, it would be my pleasure."

"I knew I could count on you, you've always been the best in the field. Absolutely the best!"

"I recall you were just as good when you were in the field." returned Victor.

"Yeah the good old days." recalled Tony. "I was good all right, but I never had you're magic. You've never had a miss, pure poetry! With you're dedication you could have been my boss."

"Not my style. I like to get out there and get my feet dirty."

"Well, enough chatter. Let's get to work. Here's the contracts." said Tony as he tossed a bundle of files on the desk. "I'll have central stores send up you're instrument an ammo." He swiveled in his chair and input a series of commands on a keyboard. Within moments a panel door in the office wall slid open with the requisitioned items inside.

Victor picked up his weapon and softly ran his small hands over it's fine lines. "Hello old friend." he mused. He then picked up the bundle of darts and a small bottle of glowing, blue liquid from the compartment. He then began dipping each dart tip in the liquid until all were done.

"Amazing stuff, isn't it?" asked Tony as he watched the Master at work.

"Sure is. What this stuff does to humans is incredible."replied Victor. "What these young recruits don't realize is you have to hit the right nerve in the left upper quadrant of the heart for it to have a lasting effect."

Tony nodded in agreement, "Right! You've never had a miss-hit."

"I think what I enjoy the most is the immediate effects the humans show from the drug as they succumb to it's power. I never tire of watching. Well, I guess I'm ready to rock-n-roll." Victor announced as he slung his weapon and darts over his shoulder.

"I'll stroll along with you to the molecular transparency chamber." said Tony.

As Victor stepped into the chamber, Tony waved and said "Thanks again pal. Enjoy. You know it's one of their holidays today. Valentine's Day they call it."

Victor gave one of his rare smiles and patted his weapon. "It's always Valentine's Day when Victor comes to town."

He felt the chamber begin to hum as his body grew slightly warm from the energy surging through it.

Victor crouched patiently on the limb of the maple tree overlooking the park bench where he knew his targets would soon arrive. He watched the birds flutter and the squirrels scamper within inches of him, oblivious to his invisible presence. Though invisible he could still feel the cool breeze wash over his naked body. He could smell the grass and the leaves of the trees.

felt good, he was doing what he did best, and he loved it.

He felt their approach before he saw them, his body tensed as he placed a dart in his weapon.

The man and woman looked to be in their early twenties, strolled hand in hand to the park bench and sat close to each other, obviously enjoying one another’s company.

"It's time!" thought Victor. "Have I got a surprise for you two!"

He drew his weapon back and released a dart into the man, a split second later he released another into the woman. He then savored their reaction as they both seemed to stiffen from the darts impact, and then began to moan very low and their bodies to convulse ever so slightly, completely unaware of what had happened to them.

"Time for me to locate the next hit." thought Victor with satisfaction. He spoke softly into a tiny transmitter, "Victor reporting. Contract 392XP7 filled."

He stood and stretched his naked, infant shaped body,” I love my job." he said softly. He then shook his small white, feathered wings. "Yep, I love being a Cupid!"

Graphic and Story © Mysticwolf Jan 2004

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