The night was stiff and dark by the docks. A silhouette of a cat fed by the sliver of moon ahead grew upon the side of house, but was swallowed up swiftly by its fellow shadows. The place was empty and silent, save for the occasional rocking of tied boats against wooden planks as they were swayed by shallow tugging of water. Lopsided houses sat solemnly in the wharf and gave no feeling of any living present.

The atmosphere seemed to be almost waiting like an omen for something to happen. And soon, the nearly unseen figure of a small boat glided towards a jetty. From the uniform shadows behind the houses slipped forward another figure, this one walking and clutching a suitcase in one hand. The boat bumped gently against a tying pole, and its occupants filed out noiselessly.

The group and individual stood across from each other, evaluating each other for a few moments. A voice then emerged to the surface, but only as a wary ripple.

"You have brought what we requested?"

A curt nod by one of the group's members was its reply. Another sidled forward, holding a bundle between her arms. She wordlessly held it out towards the inquirer, who retrieved it carefully after settling the suitcase by his feet. The others eyed the exchange.

A smirk flitted across the figure now holding the bundle. He studied it, and then, satisfied, bent to pick up the suitcase. Straightening, he faced the group.

To stare into the barrel of a gun.

Swiftly, he ducked as a bullet flew over him soundlessly courtesy of a silencer. The man dodged into the building he had emerged from, balancing the bundle as he pulled out his own revolver. Muted bullets followed his path, but none of the group's members followed him. Its leader eyed the building wryly as another retrieved the abandoned suitcase. A quick glance into it confirmed the amount of money, and the group finally retreated, all firearms out and pointed towards the building. As ghostly as they came, they slipped into their boat and left.

Inside the building, several figures watched from the windows. They were not willing to chase after the group nor had they wanted to answer their attack. After all, this sort of event was ritual and common. It was a test of awareness, and of caution. The two opposing organizations had never been on the best of terms, and even as the current truce was maintained their members still frequently enacted sudden blows, to warn the other side that they would never be, on good terms, and to see that the other side was aware of that, though they knew they were.

The exchange tonight was crucial, and though the silent people in the building knew that their rival suspected it to be, and would probably probe it, they also knew that the other side would never know the magnitude of its importance. After all, they had gone great measures to keep it from being leaked. The only thing they regretted was that they had had to alert them of their need to possess the bundle. It had resided in their adversary's side of the island, and so since entering it would break the truce, they had had to ask them of the favor of getting it for them.

Turning away from the windows finally, the figures faced their comrade. He wordlessly handed the bundle to them and replaced his revolver. They inspected it, and similar, grim smiles darted across their lips. One of them spoke.

"You've done well, Soldato. Go home to your Ida and rest. She is most certainly anxious for you. We meet next –sicilian word for meeting-."

The Made man nodded thankfully, and retreated through the back. They watched him until he disappeared.

"This is the one, we are certain?"

"Yes. And we will take no chances to lose it…are you sure the place you found for it is trustworthy?"

"Of course- I have watched them. They will be most willing to raise any living thing found on their doorstep. We will simply have to keep an eye on them until the time comes."

The baby inside the bundle stirred in her sleep.