Beyond strolled into class forty minutes late and already done with the day. It made no difference to him that this was one of the more interesting classes which had been provided for him and it was true that it held potential to teach him things he was still unaware of... however it was still a class he had been unwillingly signed up for and, for that reason, he was against it.

He entered the room with his hands in his pockets, his head held high and a smug smirk on his face but he was the only one with that expression. In fact, A held a look which could be more closely described as anxious and confused than the annoyed look he usually carried in regards to Beyond. And then he saw why.

T had kept her word.

The girl was in fact laid across one of the desks in the back of the shooting range, staring at the ceiling as she drummed her hands on her stomach. Beyond wasn't even sure if she had noticed his presence or not.

Not that he cared, of course.

"Ah, Beyond. How nice of you to finally join us."

Beyond.

Not B. Not Back-Up. Not BB. Beyond.

Beyond smiled and looked over to the woman who spoke... if she could even be called a woman yet. In truth, she didn't look that much older than L himself - late teens at the most. But the killer knew that physical appearance and age truly weren't anything to base opinions on. Especially not when it came to a topic such as this.

"What can I say? I'm a busy man."

"Boy." she corrected. Beyond's smiled faltered but only for a second.

"Oh, how you wound me. Such venom before we have been properly introduced as well. Rosie, isn't it?"

"Pick, actually."

Beyond was impressed. Most people took a moment to process the knowledge that he knew their true name without first being told or at least showed some sort of emotion, but not this one. Of course, it was possible for her to assume that L had previously told him of her identity but something told Beyond that wasn't the case.

Perhaps she is simply prepared for anything.

Beyond didn't understand why she would have to be. She was a weapons specialist, right? Nothing more.

"Pick?" T piped up from the back of the room and, after shooting a quick glance in her direction, Beyond found her sat up and staring at the woman intently. "That's an interesting name."

"Now, Beyond, I think you've kept us waiting long enough. Shall we begin?"

"Well, actually, I think I might just miss out on this one. Things to do. People to see. I'm sure you kno-"

Beyond was cut short by the small event of a gun being thrown at him from the stranger's direction.

Fully loaded. Safety off.

He caught it, of course, but not without confusion. After all, it's not every day your teacher throws a loaded weapon at you in hope that you do actually catch it and don't accidentally shoot yourself... or a classmate.

Beyond pointed it to the floor and flicked the safety off, quickly looking up to her consumed by pure fury. Not that he externally let that show. Every cell of his body was screaming at him to take the safety off and shoot her right then and there; to remove that smug look on her face once and for all. But he was smarter than that. He knew what she was trying to do and he wasn't going to succumb to it.

Not now.

Not ever.

"That was a little dangerous, don't you think? I could have hurt myself. Or someone else."

"But you didn't."

"But I could have."

"But you didn't."

She knows.

She couldn't know.

"You're quite confident in my reflexes for a girl who doesn't even know me."

"I had a feeling you'd catch it."

She knows. She knows what you are.

She didn't. How could she?

"So you were willing to risk your career - and possibly life - on a feeling? That's stupid."

"You caught it, didn't you?"

She's one of you. She knows and she's testing you.

She wasn't. L wouldn't hire someone like him.

Right?

There was silence in the firing range for the first time since he'd entered the room. But this time he wasn't grateful for the silence. This time he was infuriated by it. This time he wanted to scream and rip out her throat for exposing him like this. Because Beyond shouldn't know how to handle a gun and, by the way A and T were looking at him, they knew that too. But he couldn't do anything about that and she knew it. He could tell by the painfully smug smirk that was plastered onto her stupid face and from the way she held herself.

She didn't care about him.

She'd gotten the reaction she wanted and that was all that mattered to her.

"So. Just why are you called Pick?"

T's voice cut through the tension in the air like a knife and, thankfully, Beyond wasn't the first to look away. Instead, their 'teacher' reluctantly dragged her gaze from his to regard T. Her expression of smug victory quickly being replaced by polite inquisitiveness.

"Oh that? It's a name I got because of my profession. Kind of like a nickname... An alias, if you will."

"Really?" T was sat as far forward on the edge of that table as she could get now, completely and utterly enthralled by the venomous creature that stood across from Beyond. "What is your profession?"

"Pick-pocketing."

The silence returned but this time it was one of disbelief.

Told you. She's one of you.

"Pick-pocketing." Beyond echoed, his gaze not really focused on anything anymore.

"Yes, that's right. I'm a professional criminal."

She even sounded proud of it.

Beyond couldn't believe what he was hearing. A professional criminal. L had sent a professional criminal to teach them skills they apparently needed to bring down people like her! But what did that mean? Did he know? Was L aware of just who he had sent into their midst? Did he not understand just how dangerous that could be for him? For Beyond?

"Does he know?" Beyond asked, his voice barely above a whisper now. He had managed to drag his gaze back onto hers, but he wasn't really looking, not now.

"Who? L? Of course! We have quite a good understanding, really. L quite frequently hires me for jobs he can't do alone."

"L?! L hires you? But he's meant to be stopping people like you! I don't understand." T protested. Her amazement had now turned to pure confusion but Beyond wasn't sure if he preferred it or not.

"There are even things L can't do, you know? How is he meant to get the information he needs or steal something back from someone if he's just sat in his chair behind a desk? There are times when even the World's Greatest Detective needs help and, believe me, there's a lot worse than me that he's affiliated with. Hell, there's even been talk of him perhaps raising some like you to join my ranks in the future."

Beyond internally flinched, her suggestions bringing more questions to the surface than he had expected.

Was he just being used?

Had L been aware of Beyond's true nature from the start?

Did he plan on raising Beyond to work for him?

Was he just another one of L's projects after all?

"Unacceptable."

"What was that, Beyond?"

Everyone was facing him now but he didn't see them. His grip tightened on the gun in his hand in a moment of frustration before he spun on his heel and headed for the door, throwing the gun onto a nearby table.

"I'm going to leave. There's no reason for me to be here. I don't really believe you're capable of teaching us anything of use so I'm going to use my time more effectively. I'm done."

"No you're not."

Beyond stopped and whirled around, completely sick of her snarky answers.

"Aren't I? And just who are you to tell me when I am and aren't done wasting my time, girl? You have no authority over me and I sure as Hell don't intend to stand around and listen to some bint who thinks it's a good idea to throw weapons at the very people she's meant to be teaching."

"I'm the one with the gun."

"What?"

Beyond froze when he saw her lift a gun and point it at his head. He didn't think she'd do it. Not really. Surely she wasn't that stupid. Right? Right?!

She did throw a loaded gun at you... with the safety off.

"What are you doing?"

"Not tolerating your shit. You do not hold the authority here. I do. Now you are going to come back into this class and do exactly as I say and you will learn whether you like it or not. Understand?"

"You won't shoot me."

She grinned and pulled the safety back, placing her finger on the trigger.

"Are you sure?"

She's one of you and she's not afraid to show it. Not anymore. What are you going to do, boy?

"I don't know."

Best get thinking.

"What was that, Beyond? Finally realising you're not the most important one here?"

"No-now don't you think this is a little unnecessary?" T asked, slipping off of the table and edging closer towards the two, almost as if she believed her presence could defuse the situation.

Beyond raised a hand towards her, signalling for her to stay still, all while never once taking his eyes off of the woman.

"Don't bother. I don't need your help."

"I wouldn't be so quick to turn down help, Beyond. You're pretty much out of options now." Pick remarked.

Neither of them had even so much as glanced at T.

"I'm not. Not at all."

"Oh? And just what else could you choose to do apart from listen to me?"

"I could make a bet with you. If I win, I leave. If you win, I stay. No questions asked."

The safety was flicked back on but the gun wasn't lowered. Not even in the slightest.

"And what would we be playing?"

"A game of accuracy, if you like. Whoever's the better shot wins. What do you say?"

Her pride had gotten the better of her, just as Beyond had anticipated, and in no time the gun was lowered and haltered. He could tell she already thought she had won. But he wasn't worried. He was far from done just yet.

"Alright, sweetheart, as you wish. I'll go first, if you don't mind."

"Not at all. I was going to suggest the same."

"Such a gentleman." she muttered, moving to stand on her mark and take aim. "Three shots each. The person with the most points wins. Got it?"

"Crystal clear." he answered but he doubted she had heard him.

She wasted no time in taking her shots one straight after the other, all finding their place around the bullseye. One found home within the centre earning her a solid ten points, something she seemed extremely satisfied with. The other two, however, found their place just outside the ten mark boundary, awarding her nine marks for each.

Beyond was next.

"Your turn, kid. Take your best shot."

He smiled at her politely as he collected his gun from the table and made his way to his mark. He aimed the gun as best he could, making sure it looked like his first time aiming - he even added the small, scared tremble just for dramatic effect. He heard her quiet scoff as she noticed and fired.

One on the bullseye.

One on the 9 mark.

One on the line.

"I win." Beyond remarked, turning to face her.

"No you don't, you little brat! That's on the line! It's a draw."

"It's clearly over the line. It's more on the bullseye than the 9 band. Just admit your defeat."

"I will not! That is in the 9 band, not the bullseye! Jesus christ, how can you not see that?!"

Beyond shrugged, clearly not caring.

"I can't see something that isn't there."

In her frustration, she put down her gun and cross the line, walking down to the target.

Perfect.

She leant close to the paper, narrowing her eyes at the hole his bullet had made and turned back to him, pointing at it happily.

"Look! It's in the 9 band! It's a tie! We have to fire aga-"

Beyond threw the knife.

Her words were cut short by the blade embedding itself into her shirt sleeve, pinning her to the target.

Pick stared at the blade, her mouth still open from the sentence she had failed to finish, almost as though she couldn't believe it was there. But it was and, if she didn't react soon, there would be another embedded into her chest within a short amount of time.

The girl turned to look at the younger male to find his arm raised behind his head, his next blade held between his fingers, ready to be launched.

Now you have here. Finish it.

"You really should have thought before you threatened me, Rosie."

Beyond grinned, entirely pleased with himself and how his plan had worked out. She truly was just like all the other stupid humans out there.

There was nothing remarkable about her.

He tensed his arm and prepared to throw, drawing it back ever so slightly before bringing it forward and-

"Beyond."

The knife dropped from his fingers and clattered on the ground.

Beyond turned towards the door to find L stood there, slouched over, observing him carefully. He inclined his head, indicating for the boy to join him.

"Come with me."

You were so close. You had her!

Beyond heard the beginning of a sob form in the girl's throat as he left the room and a pang of disappointment rolled through him about the fact he hadn't gotten to see the look on her face as she cried. He had won and L had taken that away from him.

Again.

He followed silently behind the detective all the way to his office where he was offered a seat. Beyond wasn't sure what this was about nor was he about to ask, but he was sure of one thing: there was a lot he didn't know about the older male in front of him - and a lot of it he really needed to know.

"Beyond."

"Yes?"

"I want you to watch something."

L took up his usual position of crouching in the armchair across from B and turned the laptop to face him, hitting play as soon as he was sure Beyond could see the screen.

"A body of a woman and a young girl, suspected to be her daughter, have been found in an alley-"

Beyond blinked and looked up to L, raising his eyebrow at the detective.

"Someone's been murdered. It happens. So what?"

"That is not the interesting part, BB."

L muttered, skipping further through the report. He froze the screen on a shot of the bloody message on the wall.

"Are you proud now, L?" Beyond echoed, narrowing his eyes at the screen for a moment before flitting them back up to the other's face.

It was expressionless... as always.

"Is there some meaning behind this, L?"

"I don't know. You tell me, BB."

Beyond paused, contemplating L's words. It was obvious the other suspected him, but Beyond had to wonder just what it was that made L suspect him.

Lifting his hands in mock surrender, Beyond shrugged.

"Sorry, but I don't have a clue. Maybe you've pissed someone off recently? Surely there are a lot of people out there who don't like you. This can't be the first time this has happened to you."

"No, it is not. But this is the first time something like this has happened so close to the orphanage."

"So what? Do you really think crime doesn't exist in this little town? I'm sure there are bad guys here too, L."

"Yes, I believe they may be closer than I suspected." L muttered, staring evenly at Beyond.

Beyond didn't move or falter under the other's gaze. He knew better than that. The detective had no proof to pin the murders to Beyond and, if Beyond had done his job properly, he wouldn't be finding any anytime soon. All L had was assumptions and a couple of dead bodies.

"I don't know what you want to say, L, but it looks like you have a murder to solve."

"I agree. I have a feeling this is only the start, don't you?"

Beyond stood and smiled down to the other.

"Yeah. Seems like this person really has it out for you, eh? Best get it solved quickly. Who knows how much damage they could do."

"Oh, trust me, I will. Justice will prevail in the end. It always does."

"I'm sure. But don't get too cocky - I'm sure even you are capable of messing up. I'd hate to see that reputation of yours tarnished." Beyond looked down to the desk and pushed the laptop back to the Detective. "But it looks like you're busy, so I'll get out of your hair."

With that, Beyond stepped around the chair and headed towards the door.

"Beyond? Don't leave the orphanage. If there really is someone out there targeting me, it puts you three at risk also. I will be initiating extra security measures after today." Beyond turned back to look at the Detective who was simply staring at his screen. "You could say we are entering lock down."

"Got it. No leaving. I'll tell the others."

Beyond closed the door behind him and strode down the corridor. It wasn't until he had past the corner that he chose to acknowledge the other presence following behind him.

"You know, Taylor, I don't appreciate eavesdroppers."

The girl dropped from the rafters behind him, raising herself up to her full height slowly this time. When he turned to meet her gaze he saw something he hadn't seen before in those eyes. A new sort of coldness only reserved for him. But there was a hint of curiosity in there too.

She's scared of you, but she's still interested. You're different. She can't help herself.

"So, did you get a good earful? Or were the walls too thick for you to hear anything? Because I hate to break it to you, but I don't usually get the minutes from those little meetings for you to read."

"We're entering lock down."

"That's right."

She was silent but he had expected that. She had wanted to leave this place for a short while, right? She had wanted to experience a bit of freedom for once. And now L was taking that from her.

"Well? Are you ready?"

Her gaze shot back up to meet his, her expression composed of equal parts confusion as hesitancy.

"What?"

"If we're going to leave we need to do it pretty quickly. I mean, I'm good, but it might take me a couple of weeks to figure out this new security system he intends to install." Beyond grinned and slipped his hands into his pockets. "Best to leave before he has chance to change anything, right?"

"Really?" she asked, clearly not wanting to get ahead of herself. Beyond didn't blame her, he wasn't exactly known for his kindness. "We're going outside?"

"Only if you can get your arse into gear quick enough, girl. I've not got all day. Times ticking."

He could see the excitement in her eyes as she literally bounced on the spot. It was almost as though she didn't know what to do first. Move or talk. She should have been more planned for this.

"Well?"

"Right! Yes! I need to grab a bag! I didn't expect this to be so soon."

"Yeah well, don't make me change my mind."

"No! Okay! Good point! I'll go... grab my things. Are we really going?"

"Jesus, girl, how many times do I have to say it?!"

"Really?"

Beyond sighed and dragged a hand through his hair, letting it fall however it wanted.

"God I regret this already. Look, go grab your stuff, I'll meet you by the tree you ambushed me at last time in ten minutes, okay? Make sure you don't spill your guts to anyone until then. If you tell a soul we're doing this it's off, okay?"

She nodded, grinning at him wildly. He stared at her for a while, waiting for her to move, but that never happened. The killer rolled his eyes and looked away, unable to comprehend the stupidity of the girl in front of him.

"Go!"

"Oh! Right! Yeah! Alright!"

Beyond shook his head and turned to leave, figuring she'd actually start moving if he wasn't there to distract her. But he'd only gotten a few steps away before he heard her voice again.

"Thank you."

It was quite, but it was enough for him to hear. He faltered in his step for a moment before waving a hand in disregard and carrying on his way.

She wouldn't be thanking him if she knew what he really was. In fact, he doubted she'd be anywhere near him if she knew what he really was, not for long anyway, and with the way things were going it wouldn't be long before she found out.

*Author's Note*: Hey there everyone! Next chapter up and running (as you've probably figured out if you're reading this). Actually rather enjoyed writing this chapter, if I'm honest. It was a lot of fun, especially since I haven't had much inspiration as of late. It's nice to see this has a few more followers as well and a couple of new reviews. You guys keep me going. We wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you so, thank you. Not sure when the next update is going to be. Let's hope soon, eh?

I'll see you all then! Thanks for reading. I hope you like it.