The Consultant

"They are leading an investigation to find you. We don't know what they know, but we are looking into it," Konstantin says to Villanelle, knife against his throat. 

Konstantin was a bit in shock after receiving news of the recent developments in the investigation to find Villanelle.

The meeting was short, just to tell him the basics and information that Villanelle will need.

Photos, background information, etc.

He stands there silently, lost in thought. 

Konstantin burst through Villanelle's apartment door, so much like the previous night.

"Villanelle where are you?" He calls.

 He follows the loud music, trying to find her.

 "Ah, Konstantin, twice in a week? Wow..." Villanelle drawls, from her place at the stove.

"Villanelle, I have some news," Konstantin says.

Something in his tone makes her look up from the stove with an eyebrow raised.

"Yes, what is it?" She asks, before turning back to her task for a second and then turning around completely.

"Things in the investigation on you have changed. The situation is more serious than expected," he says stepping closer to her, his eyes not leaving hers.

She tenses.

"What's happened?" She asks, any playfulness gone.

He shakes his head.

"Not what, but who," he replies.

She frowns.

"Eve Polastri? Is it about her?" She asks, trying to not sound too curious.

He shakes his head again.

"You need to be very careful Villanelle, MI6 has brought in a consultant to help find you. And we won't be able to step in against her. And we couldn't risk killing her, that would cause too many unwanted problems. Gain a lot of attention, that the organization makes a point to avoid," he explains.

"A consultant? What does that even mean?" She asks, scoffing.

When Konstantin doesn’t immediately reply, she becomes intrigued.

She turns to him.

"Who is she?" She asks.

"She's an assassin that we've been trying to recruit for years and the daughter of two very rich diplomats. I know you will quickly dismiss her but don't Villanelle. She might be your age, but she's been trained since she was a mere child. Do not underestimate her," he advises her.

Villanelle raises her chin in rebellion immediately.

It makes him point a finger at her as if he was scolding a child.

"Don't Villanelle."

"Do you have a picture or something? Hmm?" She asks him with a raised brow.

He pulls out an envelope and lays it on the counter.

"For reference," he says and turns, leaving without a word.

Villanelle scoffs again when he closes the door behind him. he turns off the stove and snatches up the folder, pulling out the photos.

 Turning them over, when she sees the woman's face, she drops them in shock.

Backing away a step and eyes wide.

Stepping closer to look again, lifting the piles of photos.

Shuffling them as she looks from one to the next, dropping them when she's looked through all of them.

She blinks over and over. 

And couldn't stop the giggle that burst out of her.

A Few Days Later

London

Arriving at the office at the request of Carolyn.

Swiping the access card, the alarm rang loudly, as the door unlocks.

Walking into the office, everyone stops talking as the door opens and they all stare at Alessia. 

She looks at them from one to the other in suspicion as she shuts the door. 

All of them, even Caroyln have grave expressions. 

"What is it? What's wrong?" She asks them, searching each of their faces more intently than before. None of them speak, just share glances with one another. Until Carolyn finally clears her throat, making Alessia turn to her. "Alessia, we have some news. There's been another kill," Carolyn informs her. 

Alessia raises a brow. 

"Carla de Mann, right?" She asks.

Carolyn waves a dismissive hand.

 "It appears that your plan has worked," Carolyn replies. 

Alessia smiles widely, excited that the plan is going accordingly.

"So they know I'm on the team?"

Carolyn nods sharply.

"There's been another kill, in Berlin," Carolyn reveals.

Alessia's brow scrunched, eyes narrowing in confusion.

"Okay?... As we expected...It is really soon, I'll admit that so why are you being weird?" Alessia asks her and looks at the others. "All of you, at that."

Kenny speaks up.

"His name is Zhang Wu. He was a Chinese colonel visiting Berlin. Heads up, cyber warfare. In other words, he's a hacker for the Chinese military. Murdered during a very specific fetish thing," he explains.

"Ohhh? Huh. Well, it is Berlin," Alessia jokes.

"What's his kink?" She asks curiously.

Kenny looks uncomfortable.

"Uh, where he..."

Elena sighs, impatiently when he hesitated.

"He liked having small surgical operations performed on his body and having his balls clamped," Elena explains to him.

"A masochist? Hmm," Alessia replies before taking a sip of her coffee and she shrugs nonchalantly. "We all have our own thing, I suppose, whether we know it or not. Or if we'd admit it or not."

"Uh thanks," Kenny says to Elena before turning to Alessia.

"Suspect is a Caucasian woman in her mid-20s, claimed she was covering for the other surgeon girl," he explains to her.

Alessia glances at Carolyn to see that she is staring intently.

This makes Alessia narrow her eyes before tuning in back on Kenny.

"Witnesses?" The younger woman asks the man.

"One," Elena replies, making Alessia turn to her.

"The receptionist signed her in as a temp," Kenny adds.

"Did you get the e-fit image of her to Berlin?" Alessia asks them.

They all hesitated and look to Caroyln for guidance, I guess.

Alessia sighs impatiently.

"I'll ask again. Once. Don't make me, make you, alright? Tell me why you all are being so weird?" Alessia asks them incredulously.  

"Alessia, as I said your plan worked," Carolyn began.

Alessia scoffs.

"Yeah, you mentioned as such. And?" She pushes her to explain. 

Carolyn's expression turns the most serious that Alessia has ever seen since meeting her.

"She gave a name at the desk. She said her name was Alessia Basileios,” Carolyn reveals.

Alessia's face flattens.

Completely blank, totally and utterly unreadable.

Enough so that everyone, even Carolyn tenses up. 

Not knowing what is going to happen next.

"Did she now?" Alessia replies tersely, before nodding once and looking at the ceiling. "Huh. Well...that would get my attention. Now, wouldn't it?"

She sighs deeply and looks at the group.

"They know we're watching them, that's a given. But that..."

Alessia motions to the photo of Zhang Wu.

"...was her. That was her letting me know something."

Alessia sighs deeply, pinching the bridge of her nose. Suddenly letting out a small laugh, shaking her head.

"Τι μαλάκας," she mutters.

What an asshole.

Ti malákas.

"Is that Greek?" Alessia hears Elena ask Kenny. 

"Yes, it is," Alessia answers for him.

"You seem calmer than we expected," Eve points out.

Alessia sends her a look.

"Well, I'm not going to freak out about it if that wants you mean," she replies.

"That's unsettling," Bill murmurs.

Alessia's eyes shot to the older man.

"What was that Bill?" She asks, with thinly veiled contempt. 

He looks at her, realizing everyone heard that.

"Oh, nothing," he replies, shaking his head.

 "Uh-huh, I'm sure it wasn't," she replies, looking at him, assessingly.

Alessia looks down a little more and her eyes widen seeing the baby.

And to the horror of the others, she's smiling softly at the baby.

Alessia motions to the baby.

"Gehört der Kleine Ihnen? Sie ist wunderschön, Bill, gute Arbeit," she tells him completely genuine. "...Ich meine das wirklich ernst, ohne Scheiß." 

Is this little one yours? She's beautiful Bill, good job. I really mean that, no bullshit.

"You know I speak German?" Bill asks Alessia and she nods.

"It was in the files I got," she replies before her eyes move to the baby for a second more. "Now, things get more difficult. Seeing that Bill has a child, we need to use his connections...yes, but he can't go with us," she says to the others.

"What do you mean?" Eve asks immediately.

Alessia turns to her.

"Well, for one, it's dangerous and he has a child to worry about. And also, she might still be in Berlin when we get there. Most likely watching our every move. So it's imperative that while you investigate and get as much as you can from being in Berlin, I keep you safe...."

Alessia laughs lightly despite the tense situation.

"...But let's be honest, she probably is there to watch you. Or not entirely. That's why she put my name down, to let me know she knows who I am. And because she knows that, by doing so, I'd come to Berlin..." Alessia sums up.

"So when do we leave?" She asks, looking around at the other with clear excitement.

Berlin

The trip was quick, with no problems and Bill's contact was willing to work with Eve. The taxi pulls into the crime scene, Eve gets out first. Alessia is much slower getting out of the car. Eve, realizing that she wasn't next to her, turns.

"Go ahead, investigate," Alessia shoos her as she shuts her own door. Her eyes move along the surrounding area, quickly. She doesn't see it, but she feels someone watching her. Looking at the building, nothing is noticeable.

'They must be somewhere behind me,' Alessia thought to herself.

Then she finally followed Eve inside.

"You'll need a dress for that meeting," Alessia advises Eve.

Eve groans in reply.

"I know, but tell me why is this necessary again?" Eve asks, sounding childish. 

Alessia chuckles.

 "To get the information we want from him. I'd do it but you are apparently his type," Alessia replies, not turning her eyes from the phone in her hand.

"Who are you texting anyway? Can assassins even have friends?" Eve asks.

Going as far as to try to take the phone from Alessia, but Alessia is too quick. 

"What the fuck's your problem Eve?" She asks calmly. "Trying to take my phone, like a parent? Seriously?"

Eve looks apologetic.

"Sorry," Eve mutters. 

Alessia rolls her eyes and looks back at the phone.

After a moment of awkward silence, Alessia broke it.

"Can I ask you something?" Alessia asks Eve.

"What?" Eve replied.

"Why are you so interested in her? I understand the fascination with the psyche of a killer, but that can't only be it. You latched on to the idea of finding very quickly. What is it about her that intrigues you so?" Alessia asks, looking away from her phone, which she now puts in her purse.

Eve stares forward, as she tries to process and answer the question.

"I just do," she replies before turning her eyes to Alessia.

"Why do you think she put your name? The real reason?" Eve asks.

Alessia smirks.

 "To see what I'll do, I suppose," Alessia answer with a small smile.

Eve studies the younger woman, intensely, which Alessia is very much aware of. 

"What is your fascination with her? Hmm?" Eve asks her.  

Alessia laughs lightly.

 "Besides her being very attractive, you mean? And what can I say? She seems interesting," Alessia smirks and shrugs. 

Eve snorts. 

"It doesn't bother you that she's a killer?" Eve asks.

Alessia shakes her head.

"She's not a homicidal maniac. She kills with a purpose," she replies looking at Eve.

 After a moment, Alessia's expression blanks. Eyes cold.

 "And don't forget Eve...I'm a killer too. Or did Carolyn not explain that to you?" She asks the older woman.

She watches as Eve swallows hard.

"Uh, y-yeah she mentioned it," Eve replies nervously.

Something on Eve's face changes and Alessia just knows she's going to ask a question.

"What does it feel like? Killing?" Eve asks.

Alessia sighs.

"It's different for everyone. Some feel horrible the first time. Some killed to protect themselves...self-defense. That doesn't make me feel bad at all, but for some it still does. Though me...I think 'if they didn't want to die, they shouldn't have tried to kill me in the first place.'"

"Was your first kill self-defense then?" Eve asks softly. 

Alessia nods sharply, before looking away and out towards the passing buildings.

"Maybe I'll tell you one day...if you don't already know the story," she murmurs.

There's another long silence.

"That was rude Eve...to ask something so personal like that, without consideration..." Alessia says to Eve, not even looking in her direction. "Don't think, even for a second, that you could constantly get away with shit like that. You need to read the room first, then act accordingly." 

"It's my job to ask questions," Eve replies. Alessia nods, though still not looking at her. "Yes, but I am not a suspect in this investigation. A colleague, at the least. Or for the time being. Professional courtesy is encouraged, wouldn't you say?" Alessia asks, turning to Eve and giving her a cheeky grin. 

Eve sighs irritated. 

"Fine...then as a colleague, I'm concerned that her interest in you will ruin this investigation," Eve says.

Alessia turns with a raised brow.

"Will it? And would you say the same had it been you that she was fixated on? Hmm?" She asks, chuckling as she looks away once more. Alessia chuckles to herself. "Careful Eve, if I didn't know any better, I'd say you're jealous...jealous over not getting enough of an assassin's attention," she adds.

Turning back to Eve for a quick moment, giving her a knowing glance before looking away once more.

Walking Eve to the train station.

"So you'll go on this, upcoming train and get off here..." Alessia points to the notes she's written for Eve.

Eve smiles in thanks.

"Well, I'm gonna leave you," Alessia tells her and Eve nods.

The train pulls up and Alessia watches her get on. Eve waves at her through the glass and Alessia waves back. 

Alessia stands there until the train disappears.

"Hello, again," Alessia says, turning her head slightly to the side.

Her smirk is visible to the person she knows is behind her. 

"Hello," the woman murmurs. 

"Having fun in Berlin?" Alessia asks her, turning to look at her.

The woman chuckles. 

"Mhm-hmm. You?" The woman asks.

There is a noticeable amount of humor in her voice.

Alessia shrugs in reply, before turning to look at the other woman. A charming grin in place.

"Not much time to have fun. Not now anyway," Alessia replies.

She studies the honey-blonde woman.

"You know, it's isn't fair that you know my name, but I have no idea what to call you..."

The blonde smirks.

"It's Natalie, remember?" She replies, even using the accent from that night.

"Yeah? Well, so is mine," Alessia retorts.

Tilting her head, looking her up and down.

Not being subtle in the least about it.

"I like your suit, by the way," Alessia tells her.

The blonde looks down at her outfit and back to Alessia with a wide grin.

"But surely you have some sort of code name?" Alessia asks her.

The woman just smiles wider.

"Why would I tell you that?" She asks.

"For one, I'd like to know with whom I am talking. A sign of respect, if you will. And if you don't? I'll just have to find out on my own. I've shown respect before, by not searching for you. Actively that is...." Alessia tells her, before stepping closer.

The blonde doesn't move an inch, but she does tense minutely and watches Alessia, trying to figure out her angle.

"You know, the point of having a task force to find you, is to find you? And you won't be caught surely, but as I'm sure your bosses have warned...it is probably smart to remain discrete."

"And what do you know about my bosses? Hmm?" The blonde asks, stepping closer. Alessia chuckles but doesn't answer her question. "Are you here for my teammate? Or for me? Because if you are here for her...I can guarantee you, I am so much more fun," Alessia tells her.

The blonde chuckles, but the humor is seemingly absent from it. 

"That's arrogant," the woman comments.

Alessia shrugs.

"Maybe. But that doesn't mean it isn't true. Or were you told to watch me? Hmm? Or perhaps you were told to not engage, but you wanted to anyway,” Alessia lists the possibilities. The blonde just stares, with a cocky look and she starts circling the other woman. When she steps in front, Alessia sees that her eyes are squinted at the corners with mirth. “You really want to know don’t you?” The blonde asks. “...You want my name, what am I doing, you like my outfit…wondering where I’m going…it’s pathetic, really.”

Alessia laughs.

The blonde stops in front of her.

The cocky look quickly disappeared.

”What’s so funny?” She asks.

Alessia shakes her head.

“You,” she replies, shrugging her shoulders. 

Something in the Russian woman’s eyes visibly shifts.

Clueing Alessia in. 

The blonde, already nose to nose with Alessia, had subtly retrieved the dagger.

Forcing her hand up, to stab beneath the ribs.

Alessia without looking away from the Russian’s eyes, stopped the hand by grabbing the wrist. 

The blonde tries to force her weight into it, but Alessia doesn’t budge.

Calmly Alessia moves her thumb pressing her down on the pressure point in the woman’s wrist.

The blonde lasts more than most.

The woman’s face is red from the exertion and from trying to hide the pain.

Eventually, she has to drop the knife, which Alessia snatched up with her free hand. 

She lifts it and pressed through the jacket where her brachial artery is located.

Not puncturing the clothes but the threat is there.

Alessia removed her thumb from the pressure point.

The blonde relaxed a little.

”Do you know where this dagger is pressed? What would happen if I just…stabbed through your clothing?” Alessia asks.

She and the blonde nearly share breath, their noses brush.

”You’d be dead in about 90 seconds. And there would be nothing they could do to help you. They would get her quick enough…so…you should listen…” Alessia says, staring into the other woman’s eyes. “…when I say that Eve Polastri, is boring. Nothing good will come from you being interested in her. Alright? You see something in her as do I, but she'll never be what you want her to be...

The blonde woman's eyes widen a smidge.

'I clocked her,' Alessia thinks. '...and she doesn't like it.'

The blonde smirks.

"And what? You should be who I focus on. Hmm? Jealous you aren't getting enough attention. You know, I read about you...Ms. Basileios. The daughter of some sort of Diplomats...what a life you must've had," the woman mocks.

Alessia raised a brow.

"Actually, it was shit when you think about it. Well, you don't know the whole story, but I assure you...it wasn't exactly traveling the world and having fun," Alessia tells her.

Alessia pauses.

"Don't let them catch you," she tells her. Shaking her head. "They might offer you work, but if you deny them...you probably won't even go to prison. They'll probably kill you, so don't trust the British..." Alessia says, seriously. "Whatever great offer they give you, there are always conditions with them...but honestly working for MI6 might be better than the organization you are a part of."

The blonde frowns.

Alessia lets her go and backs up.

The blonde stares at her.

Rolling her wrist.

"What is it you do, anyway?" She asks. 

"I am a consultant. I'm hired, to do work...like you, but just in a different way...." Alessia cocks her head from side to side. "Sort of...You work for a terrorist organization whose goal is to create chaos and I don't," Alessia tells her. The woman looks confused and Alessia smiles softly. "So you don't know huh? You are more of a get a assignment, follow through, and get paid without asking questions. Which I have no doubt they designed it to be..." Alessia points out. 

"What are they called?" The blonde asks. "...the organization?"

Alessia smirks. 

"I'll tell you when you give me a name I can call you by. A code name," Alessia suggests.

The blonde rolls her eyes before they snap to Alessia's again.

"Villanelle," she murmurs. 

Alessia smiles.

"That's fucking awesome," Alessia tells her.

Villanelle nods, seemingly more confident.

"Yes, it is," she replies.

"The Twelve."

Villanelle frowns.

"Uh, what?" She asks.

Alessia grins.

"They are called The Twelve," she repeats.

Alessia backs away now as a train pulls up.

She lifts the dagger in her hands.

"I'm keeping this, for now," Alessia tells her.

Putting the dagger, in her inner coat pocket.

The train stops and the doors open, she gets on. 

The doors shut and quickly pulls away, she watches Villanelle until she couldn't.