51. Meeting Bakshi

'Thanks for this kicking bastard' thought Grant

As though he hadn't kept up his "training" recently, he still thankfully had somewhat of a tolerance. So the Bullet in the Head went down as smoothly as it ever had and the effects on his skill would be none as Grant forgot about his rubber body which had increased his body's alcohol tolerance.

As soon as he finished Grant sensed the car stopping in front of the bar through his observation Haki from which Bakshi and two of his men came out.

Grant didn't care if there were more but with them, he won't have to worry about showing too much.

Bakshi entered the bar surrounded by two of his goons. "Grant Ward," Bakshi said somewhat unnecessarily in Grant's opinion. He knew who he was. He leaned slightly on the bar in an attempt to look casual. Bakshi quickly glanced around the empty bar and Grant kept himself from rolling his eyes with difficulty. 'As if I would plan an encounter in a crowded bar, too many variables ' thought Grant.

"I was disappointed to hear that we had lost your services " Bakshi continued still standing in the entrance with a goon on either side. "Mr. Garrett spoke quite highly of you." He walked over to Grant who quickly but calmly stood to meet him. Bakshi stuck out his hand and the two men shook hands. Though Bakshi had outed him in front of Butch informing him that he hadn't been active until recently but it wasn't a problem for Grant.

"Butch," Bakshi said to the bartender, "I would like a martini, dirty." Grant concealed his smile, sure that Bakshi won't like what Butch will make for him. "Shall we sit to discuss our business?" Bakshi asked with a wave indicating a small table in the middle of the bar.

Grant took the seat facing the door as he wanted to see if Bakshi will sit in front of him which he did. 'Is this guy incompetent or is he trying to lower my guard' thought Grant as one of the basic rules of spies is that you never sit with your back to open space. however, since Bakshi has his goons, perhaps he believed that they would inform him should any danger arise. In Grant's case since the time he started using Observation Haki, he doesn't have to worry about getting caught in an ambush.

Butch silently brought over Bakshi's drink and placed it on the table, no napkin this time. Bakshi raised his glass, took a sip, grimaced, and put it down. Apparently, Bakshi wasn't at all popular with the rank and file. "Imagine my surprise when I received your call. I wasn't even aware that the phone was active. Moreover, after your last confrontation with SHIELD, we thought you were captured, looks like you were able to escape your imprisonment"

"Well you could say I fooled them," said Grant not telling him much and letting him sweat.

"Then, what is this meeting for? You said we would hear something to our advantage." Bakshi picked up his drink, took a small sip, and grimaced again. Clearly, he had been trying to go for casual but forgot that the drink was bad. Grant was getting to him.

"And you will," Grant said with a slight smile. "As you undoubtedly know, I rarely disappoint." At Bakshi's inclination of his head, he continued, "Since Strucker is overseas, I assume you report to Whitehall." Bakshi nodded. "I want a meeting"

"Bakshi's expression didn't change. Clearly, he had expected this. "As intriguing as it sounds, you must realize that Mr. Whitehall is a very busy man"

Without even blinking or moving from his position, Grant leveled him with a direct stare. " Will his schedule Open up if I can get you a face-to-face with Coulson?" Bakshi looked surprised. 'Gotcha' "Things aren't always what they seem. I have to talk to Whitehall so if Coulson is who you need in order to make this happen then I will make sure you see him close enough..." Grant lifted his own freshened drink..., "to put a bullet in his head." He drank deeply as he gazed in satisfaction at Bakshi's evil grin.

As Bakshi was contemplating how he could use Coulson for Hydra's gain, Grant smoothly without his ICER, fired three quick shots, then got up and slammed Bakshi at his throat with his elbow. The men gagged and went down clutching his throat. He grabbed Bakshi and frog-marched him back into the bar's storeroom, just in case anyone unexpectedly came in from the outside. He smiled when he saw a roll of tape and a marker.

Grand was just finishing his third drink when May, Trip, Hunter, and Bobbi eased into the room, guns drawn. This time he did give in to the temptation of rolling his eyes. "Really you thought I would need four of you for this? I am hurt"

Grant obviously knew that the four of them were keeping an eye on the bar. They were keeping an eye on the var from the other side of the road and had only reached two minutes before Bakshi and his men all of it was observed by Grant.

Trip glance took in Butch slumped over across the bar, one Hydra goon draped across a table with the other laying on the floor and holstered his gun. "To be fair we didn't think that a Hydra leader would only bring two guys. Your rep must need some work."

Grant tilted his head towards the backroom "In here." He grinned as all four of them crowded around the man tied up in the chair with his chin drooping onto his chest.

Hunter raised Bakshi's head and saw words written on the tape covering his mouth. "For Coulson" he read out loud. "Cute mate. Did you think that one up all by yourself? "

Grant shrugged. "I told him that he could have a face-to-face with Coulson. I have to take my fun where I can get it."

May stepped out of the storeroom and scanned the room again. "You three take them all back to the base. I will catch up to you there." She ignored their curious looks and went to take a seat at Grant's table.

"Can I get you anything?"