Nate

"Nate there is no way"

"Ares, I'm telling you it's true!"

"You can't be sure Nate! What if this girl isn't what you think she is? What if she's lying or something?"

"She's not" I growled getting angry.

"There is no way Balker would do that. I know Balker, he's not that much of an ass. He doesn't have the guts to do this job"

"What if you don't know him that well?" I was desperately trying to convince him. I believed Rose, she couldn't be lying. I didn't want her to be lying.

"Seriously? You're going to believe a girl and not me?" He asked crossing his arms.

I froze. He couldn't be doing this.

"Are you forgetting all you risked and did for Serenity?"

"That's different! I knew her, you don't even know that girl. Nate I'm not saying you shouldn't help her, I'm saying look more into it"

He was right. I didn't know this girl and it wasn't the same thing. He loved Serenity. I was just trying to do something good for once.

"Okay" I mumbled nodding my head. "I will"

"I'll help"

"No" I said firmly. "I won't put you and your gang in trouble for this"

"My gang? You're in this gang too"

"I don't want to ruin your reputation for this. I'll do this alone"

"No" He said frowning. "You helped me when I needed you. I want to be there for you" He said.

Damn he's going to make me tear up.

"I'll try not to get you involved. This is something I decided to do on my own"

"If Balker is really doing this then it is something we should all be worried about"

"Until we're sure don't worry about it" I said getting ready to leave.

"Nate" He said putting his hand on my shoulder. "You'll tell me if you need anything, right? I'm with you on this one" He said with a ghost of a smile.

I couldn't help but smile as well. He was so happy now with his family. I had been trying to do all the heavy jobs so he wouldn't be in danger because he had a family now and he had to stay safe. It wouldn't matter if I was gone, but he had a whole family that relied on him.

"Oh stop with that cheesy stuff" I said and pushed him away smirking.

He laughed, "Go home now. Leo is going to scare her away"

"Thank you Ares" I said and left.

I drove to my apartment thinking of what I had to do. Yes, that girl could be lying but something told me she was telling the truth. That terrified look on her face, the way she never looked at me, her bruises.

I had to find out if she was telling the truth and I desperately needed her to be telling the truth.

I unlocked the door to my apartment and heard silence.

Did Leo kill her? Did he really?

I walked into the living room and found her asleep on the couch and Leo reading a newspaper in the armchair.

"Oh you're-" I shushed him because I didn't want to wake her up. She looked really uncomfortable in that position and I wanted to put her to bed but I didn't know how.

What do I do? Do I pick her up? Do I wake her up and walk her to her bed?

Leo must have noticed my discomfort and sighed.

"Just pick her up" He whispered.

"I-I don't know if I should o-or-"

"Damn Nate just fucking do it" He yelled whispering.

"Okay fine fine"

I awkwardly kneeled down in front of her and put my arms around her. She was really cold too, I needed to get her under a blanket soon. I picked her up noticing how light she was.

Leo watched my every step but just as I was passing in front of him she let out a small sound and-

"Oh shit!"

Before I could drop her, Leo helped me gain my balance and I let out a sigh of relief when I saw she was still asleep.

"Nate be careful!"

I nodded shaking and walked to her room. I put her on the bed and wrapped her in a blanket.

We did it boys.

I took a moment to look at her. Even in her sleep she looked like she was in pain. She had an agonizing frown on her face, but damn she really was beautiful. Her hair was scattered around the bed. It was so wavy and looked silky soft.

Touch it.

I reached out my hand but slapped it away.

No! Bad Nate!

But it's so soft

I sighed and left the room going back to Leo.

"How did it go?" he asked.

"Okay I guess. I don't know what to do man. She said the guy who had her was Balker and Ares says she could be lying too and I don't want to put the whole gang in trouble and I just-"

"Nate" He said and out his hand on my shoulder. "Breathe. We're in this together okay?"

"Sometimes I wonder why I'm doing this. I don't have to do this and I'm not supposed to be good"

"Nate you're not supposed to be anything. If you want to do something do it"

"How am I supposed to handle this? How can I know if she's telling the truth?" I asked running my fingers through my hair.

"You know what you have to do" He said looking straight into my eyes.

Yes. I knew what I had to do if I really wanted to know.

I nodded firmly.

"Call me after you do it. I'll look more into it" He said before giving me a smile and leaving the apartment.

I sat on the couch. The only light in here was the TV and the city light coming from the window.

I need alcohol.

I got some whiskey and sat on the couch once again.

I took out my phone and dialed the number. I could just hope he'd pick up.

"Pick up you fucking-"

"Hello? Nate is that you? I haven't heard from you in months!"

"I know" I said and took a sip of whiskey. "I say we go out for a drink tomorrow, what do you say Balker?"

_________

"Good morning" I heard her voice behind me. I turned around and smiled at her. I was still giving her my clothes but I had to buy her some soon. She looked really cute in my clothes though, she looked tiny. Her hair was a wavy mess but it still looked good.

And I still wanted to touch it-

"Good morning" I said.

"Did you put me to bed last night? I could've sworn I fell asleep on the couch"

"Yes, I'm sorry I just didn't want you to be uncomfortable and-"

"Don't worry It's okay. Thank you"

"I'll go make breakfast-"

"I can do it" She said her eyes brightening up.

So she liked cooking huh

"Are you sure?"

"Yes" She said nodding her head.

"Okay then I guess"

She thanked me and ran to the kitchen.

I had to find a way to leave the house tonight. I didn't know if I should do it without her knowing or not. She couldn't know who I was going to be with, that was for sure.

Should I bring Leo again? Or should I just go? I mean I'm going to be with him so maybe she wasn't in danger alone.

I didn't like that I had to lie to her, but I had to go in order to find out the truth. I had to go at night and I had to go while she was asleep.

A sweet smell filled my nostrils and I felt myself being lured into the kitchen. My gaze immediately stuck to one thing.

Cupcakes. Chocolate cupcakes. Chocolate.

"They're ready, tell me if you like them" she said with a smile.

I immediately started eating devouring two in a few seconds feeling the sugary chocolaty taste.

This is too good for my own good.

Her face was bright red and she was fiddling with her fingers waiting for my response.

"This is perfect" I told her and saw her body relax.

"Thank you"

"I'll leave some to you" I chuckled and she laughed lightly taking one.

After breakfast we sat in the living room and I suggested we watch a movie. After she said yes I ran to the kitchen telling her to choose one and made some popcorn.

If she's lying and this is my last day with her we should at least enjoy it.