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Walking Home (Decadence and Candira)

When she stopped the car, his first thought was there was something wrong with the car. Oh, that's right, there was something wrong: he wasn't driving it. He smiled at her when she offered him the wheel, grinning a little at having earned the privilege to drive again. "Are you really sure you want to do that?" He teased, freeing his seat belt. "I don't think you've ever seen me drive."

Nevertheless, he was surprisingly gentle with her car. He drove with his right hand on the wheel, while he rolled down the window and rested his other arm out on the side so the morning sun would shine over it. He felt like he was cruising in some large pickup for some reason. The steady breeze of going alongside the speed limit swept at Keith's hair, allowing some cool air to flow through Sophie's car.

It was nice to be behind the wheel again. It may have only been a few days since he lost the legal right to drive, but Keith missed being in control of a moving vehicle. The bus was weird, and walking was way too obviously slow, so he felt grateful that Sophie was willing to lend him her car for the ride home.

They were just about a few turns from Sophie's place when Keith noticed something in the rear view window. A white van had been following them. He noticed it park right when Sophie stopped the car, and it then took off right when he did, but he didn't really notice it until it began making the same turns with him. It tried to stay a few cars away, remaining in his blind side, but Keith knew it was trying to pursue them. It took a while before Keith could notice it, but it was the same van from yesterday, and it had managed to trail them the entire way. Which meant one thing.

They now know where Sophie's parents lived.

"We can't go home," Keith said, his tone suddenly becoming very serious. "Jeff hasn't given up yet, and his losers are following us right now."

He made a turn away from the street they were supposed to turn into, taking them away from Sophie's apartment. The van immediately mimicked where he went. Keith smirked, as that confirmed for him that the fuckers were really trying to catch up. He wasn't stupid, so he wasn't going to try losing them. They already knew (or assumed they knew) where they were going to go, so there was no point in that.

Keith turned his head to face Sophie. "Hey," he said, giving her a little smile. "Everything's going to be fine. I've got an idea, and I think it may work, but it'll require me to drive a little longer, in case you don't mind."

His hand then slipped into his pocket and pulled out his phone, speed-dialing a contact in his list while he kept his other eye on the road. How he managed to do this while one of his eyes were concealed behind a fringe of emo bangs was something to behold.
 
Sophie smiled, letting Keith enjoy his freedom for a bit. His joke had made her a little uneasy for a little while, but she was soon back to herself. She enjoyed the breeze, her crimson curls floating in the wind. She was happy to get back to her apartment when Keith started to turn away from it. Frowning she turned to him and started to ask what was going on when he told her they couldn't go home. "I...What?"

Her eyes widened in fear and she immediately did what she knew she shouldn't have done, which was to turn around and look behind them. She saw the white van that had threatened to swallow her just yesterday and then turned back around in her seat. "Oh God..." Not that Sophie didn't believe that Keith would protect her, but who knew who was waiting inside that van for them?

His words did little to sooth her, but the fact that they had some semblance of a plan did much to stop her from freaking out even more than usual. The fact that they probably knew where her parents lived frightened her and she knew that she would have to go to the police soon, which would mean telling her parents everything--or pretty close to it. She watched the road while he hit speed dial on his phone and then watched him. "I guess I don't have much of a choice..."
 
Zack Coltrane snorted, raising his head up from his pillow. His phone was ringing, shifting all over the nightstand as though ants were trying to steal it away. "What the..." he grumbled, squirming face down in his bed. What time was it...11? Who the Hell was calling him this early on a Saturday morning? Didn't they have any shred of decency? This was fucking appalling.

He growled, white teeth appearing from under a rugged, six o' clock shadow. His thick hands went up and slammed over his phone before his fingers clawed back to grip it. He wearily raised it up so he could see who was calling him.

Keith Corbett.

Now why was this clown bothering to give him a call at this hour. He got word from Evan that he was arrested a couple days back because he couldn't cover his own tracks. Served him right. Kid shouldn't be sloppy if he wanted to make a living this way. Now he was probably stuck in another bind and needed help. Zack still owed him, though. He had some respect for the kid. There were few who brought in nicer cars than Keith could, and that made him a lot of money. He brought the phone to his ear and pressed the accept button.

"Make it quick, asshole."

* * * *​

"Zack," Keith said, putting the phone on speaker as he rested it on his lap. He kept his eyes on the road, as well as the van behind them. "I'm in some deep shit with some guidos who are after my girlfriend, and I need your help."

A burst of laughter ripped from the phone, nearly sounding like static from the speaker. "You've got to be shitting me." His voice sounded so coarse and deep.

"Dude, I am not. There is a white van following me right now, and I think their intentions are to jump me and rape my girlfriend. Or vice versa," Keith said. He turned over to look at Sophie, placing a hand on her knee while giving it a gentle squeeze. "I'm heading towards your shop right now. Is Marco and--"

"I have a better idea. Head to the warehouse on 79th and Jackson. You know where it is. It isn't too far off from the shop. I'll be there with my boys in ten."

"Thank you, Zack." Keith said.

"You owe me for this, Keith," Zack said. He hung up.

He drew out a sigh once Zack was no longer on the line. If they could just follow him for another ten to fifteen minutes to the place, then he could turn the tables. Knowing how determined Jeff's been these last few days, it didn't seem like they would have a problem with that.

He turned his head to look at Sophie. "Hey," he said. "You all right, there? Everything's gonna be okay soon. I won't let them hurt you."
 
It was Sophie's turn to put on a brave face, though her stiff posture and the strained look in her eyes told another story altogether. Still, she tried to play it off as though she were merely nervous. It almost worked. Almost. Sophie could hold her own in a fair fight against someone about or even a little bit bigger than her size. But she would likely be outnumbered, outmatched in terms of strength and certainly weaponry.

They knew where her parents lived and they were following her. Why, of all people, had Jeff had to take an interest in her and Keith? She took a deep breath and looked over at Keith as he spoke to this Zack person. Her ears took in the deep voice on the other line and she wondered just what kind of person he was.

It soon became apparent as the conversation continued. When it was over, she got the impression that somehow, they were both about to land themselves into something...unsavory. Keith's hand on her knee jolted her back to reality and she shook her head. "I'm fine. I mean, I'm jumpy as all hell, but I'm fine." She felt she deserved a little bit of a right to be after all the crap that had happened to her in the past few days.

But he promised her she would be safe: he would protect her. Somehow that statement carried more weight now. "Alright...but be careful." She watched him curiously, wondering what must go through one's mind when they were protecting someone they cared so deeply about.
___________

Groaning as she received a text, Faye Lureah opened her phone to see that someone was in need of her services. She was tired, and not pleased at this current development. Still, if she was needed, that meant that there was a girl involved--more than likely one who couldn't defend herself, or if she could, didn't stand a chance on her own. She threw a pillow at the wall and rubbed her eyes as she sat up. In 5 short minutes, she was up and ready to go, her hair pulled back, some make up to make her look alive, and comfy clothes that would help her in her attempts to defend someone else and kick ass.

Once she was dressed, she grabbed a few knives and took a piece of gum for her morning breath. Then she was off to see what all the rumble was about.
 
Keith pulled Sophie's car into the parking lot of the warehouse on 59th and Jackson. The sound of tires rolling through gravel slushed from under the car, causing an uneven bounce. Keith slowed the car to a stop. The van behind them followed suit, stopping a dozen yards off.

He bit his lip. Soon, the van's back doors swiveled open and four masked men came pouring out. From the front of the van, two more appeared. Just like the other day, they wore ski masks, but this time, they were armed with bats and metal poles. Why so many? Keith thought. Six of them...all after Keith and Sophie? They must really be desperate.

"KEIIIITH..." A familiar voice called out. From the rear view mirror, Keith could make out Jeff--he was the one who wasn't wearing the black ski mask, but whose face was covered in the same tattered bandages as before.

The six men formed a wall, marching towards the car, with Jeff in the middle. Amongst them, sticking out like an overgrown vegetable, was the linebacker-like ape Keith drop kicked the other day. Even from this distance, he could notice the beefy assailant was listening to an ipod.

He glanced over at Sophie. "I'd like you to stay in the car," he said, grabbing her hand. He handed her the keys, closing her fingers over them. "If anything happens, just peel out of here. I can take care of myself. It's better me than you," he said. Then he closed in and gave her a kiss on the lips.

And he opened the door, leaving the car and spinning around once he closed the door. For some reason, he thought about the angry Rottweiler in the old neighborhood.
 
Sophie felt her body stiffen even more as they pulled into a warehouse. Obviously scared, she looked over at Keith, who--by comparison--hardly seemed nervous. She spun around in her seat, taking off her seat belt to watch as six men--none of whom looked particularly friendly or small--stepped out of the van, armed with bats and what looked like lead pipes. She turned to face Keith, about to ask him not to leave, but then she heard Jeff and knew that they wouldn't make it out safely in any case. She thought of calling the police--how in the hell did Jeff get out on bail?

Suddenly, her hand was in his and he was telling her to stay in the car. Her heart beat faster as he closed her fingers around the keys, and she opened her mouth to protest that he should stay too, but he told her that it was better him than her and kissed her again. She put her arms around him for a moment and kissed him back before letting him go and sliding back into the driver's seat, locking the doors and closing all the windows behind him.

And once again, Keith was the only thing between her and an unreasonable amount of danger. "Good luck," she whispered, watching him carefully. She immediately got out her phone to dial the police and get them over here.
 
Keith approached the band of armed thugs, keeping his eyes on Jeff. The longer he focused on that spoiled frat boy with rich parents, the more he began to imagine him with his hands all over Sophie, groping her in explicit places from all over her sundress, ripping it so he could get to the cream filling. Her scream filled his ears, and Keith's eyes just seemed to disappear into a rage.

"I told you not to fuck with me Kei--"

Keith was already running; his teeth was bared. He wanted to get into those bandages with his fingers and tear Jeff's face apart. He didn't care if he was outnumbered, or if they had bats and pipes or any of that shit. If he could get to Jeff, then most of it was going to be over. Sophie would be safe, and he could buy some time before Zack would arrive.

But the problem was, it wasn't going to be easy.

Jeff's grizzly bear stepped in front of Keith as he was charging in Jeff's direction. His bat was already wound back, and he was poised to swing as Keith began his attack.

Keith suddenly heard a loud thud, as though water rushed through his ears. But he was feeling more than just the sound of water. Everything went black for a moment, and then he felt like he was flying. His arms were up, but they felt numbed from the enormous pain that followed. He was fairly certain his left arm was broken.

In his mind, he looked down, and he could see the roof of the warehouse, Sophie's car, and he could see Jeff. He wanted to reach for him, but he just couldn't, and then he couldn't hear anything. He just heard a deafening ring. Keith cussed to himself.

That...that wasn't a very good idea, he thought to himself.
 
"Oh, God, KEITH!" She felt her heart stop as she watched her only protector and the only person she'd ever cared so much for in her entire life taken out like a rag doll. Tears sprang to her eyes and she started to panic as she saw his body on the ground, looking terribly and horrifyingly lifeless. Momentarily, tears of shock and fear clouded her vision and she could hardly believe what was happening. She couldn't breathe.

And then she heard the voice of the 911 operator. Immediately Sophie launched into an explanation of what was happening and where she was and she was told help would be on the way as soon as possible. The last thing she heard was don't try to be a hero. Her first instinct, of course, was to ignore that advice. So at the risk of her beautiful car being hurt, she started the engine, revved it and spun around to face them all. She wanted to put some fear into them so they couldn't touch him. So she started to drive toward them letting pretty much all of them come at her. Any distraction was better than none. The police were coming, and hopefully so was Keith's back up. She could only hope they would come soon.
 
Jeff Hurley drew back his foot, aimed for that emo faggot's stomach and let loose, watching him curl up on the gravel. A light slush, and a loud groan. It was a fucking fantastic symphony of pain. He kicked him again. His body began to shiver, wheezing from the wind knocked out of him.

A curtain of blood covered the side of his face where Ivan had struck him with the metal Louisville Slugger. He hadn't exactly cracked his skull open, but there was blood, and Jeff liked seeing blood coming out of Keith. He gestured one of his buddies for a bat, who quickly handed him one. Jeff smiled, grasping the metal handle with both hands, squeezing it so tight until his knuckles went white. "An eye for an eye," Jeff said, feeling giddy as he rose the bat high up over his head, aiming down to smash it over Keith's head.

"Jeff! That bitch's revving her car!"

His moment of glory was interrupted by the sound of spinning tires and a rising cloud of brown smoke...followed by a roaring engine. Jeff could only scoff and smile as he looked at Sophie's car. What a fine, piece of ass she was. Tits so big, he could spend all night on one of them. She was definitely porn star material. Keith may have been one stupid faggot, but he sure had some taste in women. It was too bad Jeff had first dibs on her.

He had all his attention on the car now, watching the driver behind the wheel. One of his boys threw his metal pipe at the car. The pipe spun in the air, whistling, until it struck the windshield, leaving a spiderweb in its wake. It then bounced from the car and landed on the ground. His friends then began to advance towards the speeding vehicle. She was being dead serious. One of them got swept up from the roaring car, rolling up over the hood and flying off the roof. Another dodged the car, barely missing its fender by swinging his hip.

Jeff moved his leg and suddenly realized it was stuck. His eyes widened before he took a glance down. Keith's hand was around his ankle, and he was staring up at him like some zombie. Right before he could swing his bat at him, a flurry of what felt like gravel swept up his face, and his eyes were suddenly itching, closed shut. He quickly shot his arm up to rub into his eyes. "YOU COCKSUCKING PIECE OF SHI--"

And that was when he felt some hands seize his legs, gripping like a mountain climber scaling up a set of rocks. Keith was pulling him down, sending him crashing over him as he stumbled and fell. Oh, he was going to finish this. This scene kid was through.
 
Sophie was both pissed and absolutely terrified--not exactly the best combination to be driving. She did move her head when the pipe came at her, but seeing as the windshield didn't break, she calmed down and gunned it for the douche that threw it at her. As one was hit by her car, she wasn't terribly worried. The angle and speed at which she hit him would result in minor injuries at best, but he'd be on the ground for a while in shock and some pain.

She continued her little show, refusing to let Jeff and his creepy gang hurt Keith anymore than they already had. It was about this time she saw another car scream into the warehouse. It was nothing flashy, but the engine roared and the tires screeched as it came in for a landing. It sent Jeff's guys scattering. Finally, the car came to a stop and who should pop out but Faye Lureah and some of the gang she'd picked up on the way. All were armed with pretty lethal looking weapons. Immediately, she noticed the other car which had just stopped its own rampage. It had some damage that was easily fixable, but what she noticed most was the girl within.

That was Keith's girl friend? How in the Hell had he managed that? The girl behind the wheel was absolutely gorgeous. But at the moment, she looked pretty scared. Still, she had to admire the chick for doing what she'd done. Judging by the way Keith was looking, he'd done something pretty stupid. Faye ran to the car and Sophie rolled the window down. As one of Jeff's boys neared, she took aim and sent a knife screaming for his shin. It connected and there was pain.

"Did you call 911?" she asked. Sophie nodded.

"Help me get Keith away from them. I'm pretty sure he has a concussion. There's a first aid kit in my car," she said.

"I'll see what I can do." She aimed another knife at one who thought he was being sneaky and then turned and threw it. The members of the gang Keith had hung out with were starting to trickle in and jump out of their cars, running into the fray.

"Set phasers to stun, boys," she called out. It was their code for "The police will be here, so don't waste anybody." Faye nodded to Sophie and the girl closed the window. That said, she looked over and saw Keith fighting some loser in rags...and she could see why Sophie thought he had a concussion.
 
Keith struggled with Jeff over the ground, pounding his face in with his one good hand. Jeff screamed, punching him in his left arm where he was struck by the bat, causing Keith to cry out in pain, teeth gritting amongst the shower of gravel and dust.

"YOU FUCKING SCENE KID, YOU'RE THROUGH! THROUGH YOU MOTHERFU--!"

Keith swept his elbow across his jaw, hearing a crack as he cut Jeff's sentence short, bringing out a shrill shriek. The white bandages covering his face were now red, and some of the blood began soaking through, dripping all over the dusty ground. A constellation of pebbles were stuck on his face. Keith was ready to dig into that face with his fingers until Jeff sent a knee up his groin, stunning him for a moment as he winced in pain. Once Keith managed to recover, the frat boy was already scrambling away, being brought up to his feet by one of his goons.

"OH WE'RE GOING TO FINISH THIS, KEITH! WE'RE GOING TO END THIS SOON." Jeff backed away from him; his friend's arms hooked under his as Jeff kicked away at the dirt since his feet weren't completely planted on the ground yet. "I KNOW WHERE YOUR LITTLE CUNT GIRLFRIEND LIVES AND HER PARENTS, SO YOU BEST WATCH YOUR BACK."

"LEAVE HER OUT OF IT!" Keith screamed, launching himself at him from the ground. He managed to rise up from the dirt, only to collapse again as his foot slipped in the gravel. His threw his hand up to reach at him, but by the time he had the chance to swipe at him, Jeff was already too far away, rushing into their white van.

* * * *​

Zack just couldn't believe it as he swung his wrench at some kid wearing a ski mask. It wasn't really the fact that they were fighting what looked like wannabe bank robbers and terrorists, but the fact that one of them chose to string along Faye. The broad was a feminist nutjob, and it got him all riled up and ready to swing at something when he knew she was coming along. Seeing her with her knives delivering more pain than his muscled arms bound to a blunt object, just made him want to kill someone. How typical of a woman to use knives. They never had to work so hard for anything did they. Like fucking cats they were. Well, dogs were loyal and Zack was definitely a fucking dog. A mean ass, fucking dog, that is. That didn't sound right comparing himself to a dog, but fuck it, better than a whining pussy. He was here to save Keith and his girlfriend, anyhow.

He was just about to draw some organs from the boy he was swinging at, when out came the burliest of the bunch: a heavy-set dude that was built like a Mack truck. Now, Zack was a big guy himself, clocking well over two hundred pounds of muscle, dirty blond, with arms thick enough to break leather straps if he so much as flexed. He was stocked like a pro wrestler, and equipped with a backhand that could send any guy Keith's size spinning back to mommy in a heartbeat, so this big guy looked like a great outlet for him.

"Well, what do we have here," Zack grinned, light-green eyes shining and delirious. "I didn't know they packed shit this high."

The enormous ogre didn't even flinch at the sight of Zack. He already stood a few inches taller than him and was wielding a metal bat, which was much longer than Zack's wrench.

"Don't talk much, do you," Zack said, getting into a fighting stance, raising his arms, as well as his wrench. He studied the Mack truck. Was he wearing earphones? Oh my God, no wonder why he wasn't responding. "Well then, actions speak louder than words!" Zack drew back his wrench and flung it at the Mack truck's face.

He dipped his head to the side, allowing the wrench to pass through, missing his face entirely. The Mack truck didn't even utter a word in response. He only began to advance towards Zack, silent as Michael Myers from Halloween.

Zack could only chuckle, bringing his fists up. "Well, shit." He stretched his neck, straightening it out as he waited for him to approach him.
 
Faye was going to help Keith out, but he didn't seem like he needed much of anything. So instead of directly disentangling the two of them, she stuck her last two knives into the calve muscles of two creeps who were trying to bother Sophie. She watched them crawl back to their ratty ass van and then ran after some punk who was trying to make a break for it. She leaped at him like a fucking tiger, descending upon him like a death itself. She pinned him down and knocked his ass out. And bingo, they had a witness.

It was about this time that sirens could be heard and that the rest of the losers started packing their leader up into the van. She noticed that Zack was there again...and if her eyes didn't deceive her, he was about to take on an orc. What the hell was he thinking?

Police patrol cars started to surround the place and she was glad that she could chalk all of this up to self defense.
______________

Sophie drove the car between Keith and the van and got out of the car, taking his hand and pulling him back into the relative safety of it. Once they were back in, she locked the doors and kissed him softly. "How many of me do you see?" she asked, obviously worried.
 
Keith began to relax once he felt the soft touch of Sophie's hand over his. He struggled to his feet, allowing her to ease him into the car before he heard her lock the doors. The feel of her lips made a lot of the pain go away. His eyes strained to focus on her. He saw her, then he looked at her breasts and then back up to her face. "I see...three of you," he said, cracking a slight grin.

Then he winced from the pain in his left arm. "I think it's broken," he said, trying to bend his arm. He managed to claw at Jeff with it earlier, but that was more due to the overflowing adrenaline. Now, he was in a lot of pain. He blinked a few times before looking up at her, bringing his other hand up to her cheek. "Are you all right? I'm so glad you're okay. I think what I did was worth it if it was enough to keep their hands away from you," he said. Blood covered the left side of his head, drenching his hair in raven spikes. He was still bleeding, and the blood continued to drip all over Sophie's car.

* * * *​

It seemed as though all of the terrorist boys were running back into their van. Zack began to hear police sirens all around them, but he still kept his eyes on the large, heavyset gentleman before him.

He noticed the big guy freeze as screaming police cars screeched around the corner towards the parking lot. The ogre's eyes darted about, knowing that it was time to leave. He then spun around and darted towards the open door of the van, which was already starting and ready to peel out of there.

"Now how do you like that, buddy," Zack laughed, crossing his arms. "I win."

He watched as the police filled the area in the van's wake, which left a large haze of brown dust rising in the air. There was still one of them on the ground, face up and unconscious. At least they had a witness. He looked around, looking for Keith, until he saw him inside another car with what looked like the silhouette of his girlfriend.

"Oh, geez," Zack said, shaking his head. "Couldn't they find a better time to start making out?"

He walked over to where Faye was, standing behind her. "I would have had all of them knocked over if that big guy wasn't around," he said, resting his hands on his waist as he let his eyes wander around her figure. My, was she was something, he thought as he took her in with his eyes. Too bad he didn't like her, though.
 
Sophie reached into her back seat and grabbed the first aid kit. "This is so not funny if you're kidding," she said, her voice strained. She frowned and looked him over, surveying the damage as she got out the materials for a splint. She managed to set it without much of a mishap, and then started to clean the blood off of his face. "I wish you wouldn't have run at them like that. You didn't have to offer yourself up to them. It's not worth it if you're not okay." She cleaned up some of the blood before she applied pressure to the wound. "The paramedics should be here soon with an ambulance. You are going to the hospital to get checked out if I have to tie you down."

That said, she kissed him again and shivered a little. "Idiot..." And finally, she saw the ambulance arrive. "Stay here. I'll get them to come to you," she said, getting out of the car for the first time that morning.
________

Faye stayed on top of the unconscious guy until the police came to take him away and then answered their questions. She looked up at Zack as he said something about would haves and could haves. Whatever. She rolled her eyes and missed the way his eyes roamed over her. She was no Sophie, but she had a pretty nice rack herself, and a slim, toned body. She had long black hair which was tied back at the moment, though some of it was escaping the hair band she wore. Her tan skin gleamed with sweat and she looked up at him as he neared.

"Should we see if Keith is okay?" she asked. And that was when Sophie rushed by, asking a paramedic for help.
 
He chuckled, holding her hand. "Everything's funnier as long as you're okay," he said. More drops of blood dripped from his wound, staining the inside of her car. He laid there, watching her as she worked a split on his arm. His eyes were so calm and gentle as he looked at her. He was so happy to be with her, but he was also a little disappointed that he was in such bad shape. He grit his teeth, groaning in pain as she finished working on his arm.

"I know, that was such a bad idea," he said while he felt her hands dabble and wipe over the blood on his face. "I just lost it thinking about Jeff being all over you, so I wasn't thinking straight. I'm just glad you're okay, though, and that they never managed to lay a finger on you. I was afraid they would."

When she mentioned the ambulance, he was going to grab her hand and tell her to wait. He couldn't afford a trip to the hospital...he didn't have insurance. But before he could stop her, Sophie was already out of the car. He sighed.

* * * *​

Zack provided enough answers to the cop to shoo him off, mimicking what Faye had told them earlier. Who the fuck called them anyway? They were fine without them, Zack could have been able to put that big guy into an early grave if he had the time, but he supposed there was going to be another day for that in the future.

As he neared Faye, he adjusted his jeans, which were greasy from hours spent at the shop. He noticed she was sweating as well. His white t-shirt clung to his thick frame like a second skin, and it accentuated his bulging, proud muscles. Various tattoos adorned his upper arms, which consisted of various Nordic symbols along with scantily-clad demonesses wielding pitchforks. He had the latter done right after splitting with his wife. His dirty-blond hair was growing out, wavy and thick, while making him look even more like a pro wrestler. Maybe he should wear it in a ponytail once it got long enough. Wavy strands were beginning to form, their edges dangling before his green eyes. Over his mouth, a matching mustache managed to develop over what started as a dark shadow. He stared at Faye. "Of course we should see he's okay!" he barked. "I thought you were already checking up on him since you were in charge!" He growled, then turned his head as someone opened the car door and left.

Holy mother of God, Zack thought, staring. A young, incredibly busty redhead appeared from the car, rushing towards the paramedics. Was that really Keith's girl? Now he didn't see his stupidity as being so stupid anymore. The kid had some taste. "Wait here," Zack said to Faye without even looking at her. He then bent down and turned his head towards her so he could speak in a softer voice. "You realize we can't take him to the hospital. He's already in enough heat as it is. It would be better to take him to my place where I can help patch him up."

Having said that, he rushed towards the stunning redhead and planted a hand on her shoulder. "Hey, Keith's gonna be fine," he said. "He doesn't need no doctor. We can take care of him from here."
 
Even if Keith would have had to go to the hospital and she'd found out that he hadn't had insurance, she would pay for the visit. Hell, her dad would happily pay once he'd found out what had happened, and there was no getting around it this time--she had to tell her parents. She was just about to get the attention of the paramedic when she felt a heavy hand on her shoulder. She spun around to face a tall, blonde wrestler...or he kind of looked like one. At his words, she seemed taken aback.

"I'm sorry, I don't mean to sound rude or anything, but who are you?" She asked, tilting her head. "And what do you know about injuries like he's got? Look, if it's about money, I'll pay for it. I just want to make sure the idiot gets the best treatment he can."
___________

Faye was about to bark right back at Zack and that ridiculous macho face of his when he turned into a softy at the site of Keith's girl. Faye was no slouch in the pretty girl department--a great figure, good hair, pretty face--but she had nothing on Sophie, which was something she was beginning to discover. Still, her concern for Keith had her walking back to the car. She opened the door and sat down. "Hey, how you holding up, kid?"
 
Keith's eyes widened when he saw Faye enter the car. "Oh. Hi..." he said, feeling his head with one hand. "I didn't know they called you. You know how Zack is with women. And about me? I guess I could be better." He chuckled, then bared some teeth in pain. "Broke my arm, and I think I have a pretty bad headache."

"So I'm guessing you met her," he continued, gazing up at the sky from the window. Sophie. She's gorgeous, isn't she? We've known each other since we were little." He then laughed. "Don't worry, Faye, you're still gorgeous yourself. How's life?"

* * * *​

Zack smiled at her. "Well, I'm Zack. Didn't you hear me over the phone? You must be Keith's latest girlfriend. Nice to meet you. I didn't get your name, by the way." His demeanor then shifted towards a more serious tone after she brought up Keith. "Look honey, we can't bring him to a hospital." He then paused for a moment when he heard her mention money. "You really would? For Keith?" He then thought some more. Perhaps that would work better. It wasn't like the cops were after him for anything. Zack was just stuck in the idea that he had to avoid hospitals for fear of getting arrested. It was a habit. "Well A-OK," he said. "You go ahead with what you're doing then. Maybe you understand him better than I do, considering I've known him for a few years already."
 
Faye chucked at the mention of Zack and his disposition. "Yeah well, he can suck a dick. I heard you needed me so I came along." She frowned when he appeared to be in pain. "Mmm, you probably have a concussion, dear. Just make sure you don't fall asleep."

And then Sophie was mentioned. "Well, life's treating me way better than you right now. And like I need you to tell me I'm hot," she said, rolling her eyes. "Speaking of, how'd you end up with that girl of yours? She certainly seems different than your normal lot..."
________

Sophie looked up at Zack, her grey eyes lighting up a bit with recognition. "Oh, right. Sorry, I was a little distracted by the guys who were trying to kill Keith and rape me." His question about her payment surprised her a bit. "Why wouldn't I? He was just trying to protect me. I mean, don't get me wrong, I realize there's more to it than that, but, I'm still pretty much part of the reason he's bleeding." She glanced back at her car worriedly, glad to see that someone was keeping him company--even if she was a pretty someone.

"I've known Keith since we were kids and he's always been there for me....when he wasn't being a douche through high school. But that's another story. I just want to make sure he's taken care of, you know? I'm not saying I know better than you, but if payment is the only thing in the way, then I'll happily take care of it."
 
"A concussion? I guess having you around could keep me awake. I remember those nights I've spent on the phone with you for emotional support. Or was that you calling me for someone to talk to? I don't even remember." He groaned as he shifted his head over the seat, settling in a more comfortable position.

"Oh, you mean Sophie? Didn't I just mention her name to you earlier? Anyway. Oh Faye, I think she's the one. We used to walk home together as kids, and we were kind of close, until we lost touch and I became an asshole to her. It's a long story, but a lot of that has been settled, and we're now seeing each other in a more positive light." Keith's eyes seemed to sparkle as he recounted his feelings for her.

* * * *​

"Keith always being there for another woman--what the fuck?" Zack said, erupting in laughter. "I must say, I'm not surprised he'd go so far for you, but that's not how he usually is. You must mean something to him then, because for anyone else, he wouldn't give a shit...unless he owed them for a favor or something.

He kept his smile, digging into his pockets to pull out his shades. He slid them over his eyes, which made him feel that much more badass. "All right, let's get those paramedics over here," he said, breaking out into a stride towards the ambulance truck.

"Hey you," Zack said. "Someone's hurt in the car and needs your help."

"What's the problem?" The EMT technician asked, preparing his tools.

"I don't fucking know, it's your job to find out!"

"Okay. I'll get right to it," he answered, keeping his eyes away from the angry lion with the shades. Him, along with his partner approached the car and knocked, eventually pulling Keith out on a stretcher after spending several minutes with him.

Zack walked over to Keith's side, surveying him from beneath his sunglasses. "Jesus, what did they do to you?" He said, slapping his hand.

Keith just smiled. "I'm glad you made it. They would have killed me if Sophie hadn't done anything, and if you decided to stay in bed."

"You know I like you too much, Keith," Zack said. "Besides, how would I make that extra cash without you?" He landed a heavy hand on Keith's shoulder.

Soon, Marcos and Evan, the other men accompanying Zack and Faye, joined them. They were finished with their reports with the police and were eager to check out Keith's condition. It was now an hour past noon, and the sun was beating down over the entire parking lot as the scene began to settle down.
 
Zack's comments made her stop for a moment. As if she hadn't already thought he cared, now she knew from someone who knew Keith that she was special. She saw the paramedics head over to her car and sighed in relief. Finally, it was her turn to talk to the police, and she recounted the entire thing from beginning to end, including the last bit she'd heard Jeff yell before he left. And then she noticed Keith being put onto a stretcher.

"I'm sorry officers, but I have to go with him to the hospital. If you have any more questions, please call me. But right now I need to go with him," she said, gesturing to the guy who was now visitors. She gave them her number before she dashed over, parting the crowd to come and be with him.
_____

Faye was quite surprised that Keith was bringing up their past, but what really took the cake was that he had a past with a girl that didn't involve sex. Despite her gruff exterior, she really did love the kid who was currently bleeding in the seat across from her in a big sister kind of way. His long story sounded like something she wanted to hear, but another time. She was still a bit stuck on the idea that "Sophie" was the one.

"She's the one?" Faye asked, incredulous to the idea that he might be quite serious about a girl she'd never met who looked like a full on heart-breaker. Then again, she also looked sweet. She was probably exactly what Keith needed, but giving her the benefit of the doubt wouldn't do much for her. She got out of the car with Keith and smiled at everyone.

"So, she convinced you to take him to the hospital, huh, Zack?"
 
Zack scoffed at her comment. "She offered to pay, so I thought to myself, 'why not?' Keith's gonna be fine. If a girl's willing to pay for a man's troubles, then I say she's a keeper for sure. A lady who expects a man to pay for everything ain't worth his salt. You can ask my ex-wife for reference."

He noticed the truck was getting ready to leave. He was about to turn and leave her be, but he noticed how fine that figure of her looked, so he thought he'd mind as well go out on a limb with the broad for once. "Say," he said. "Come sit up front with me in the truck." Fuck, it was hard to say that, but he had to admit, it felt kind of good to do what he wanted to.
 
Sophie squeezed Keith's hand before she went to get back into her car and follow the ambulance. On the way, she plugged her blue tooth in and called her parents to fill them in. Needless to say they were not pleased with the latest turn of events for a number of reasons, but they made arrangements accordingly and arranged to meet her at the hospital after Spencer's friends on the force stopped by to watch the house and Sophie's apartment.

Today was just....ugh.
____________________

Faye blinked and looked up at Zack, not really having expected him to be quite so aggressive at her comment. Then again, what did she know about him anymore. Since his ex, he was a different guy. The 28 year old almost had a heart attack when he asked her to come with him.

She looked around and then pointed at herself, conveniently at her nice rack. "Me? Well, hey if you're offering. Just as long as you don't pull some weird shit and try to off me after all," she teased, punching his shoulder lightly.
 
Keith held her hand tight, nearly refusing to let go as he watched her head back to the car. He was already missing her, and he couldn't wait until she showed up at the hospital with him. He didn't want to go at first, but then, seeing her all concerned about him made him reconsider. He was beginning to fall hard, wasn't he.

He saw Evan and Marcos accompany him into the EMT truck. "Hey," he said, "what are you all doing here? Shouldn't you be getting some sleep?"

"Man," Evan said. "I'm not sitting in that truck with Zack. Not while that asshole is going off about his ex. I'm tired of that shit."

"Yeah dude," Marcos chuckled. "He can get pretty annoying. We'd rather chill here with you until we get to the hospital."

"Well, that's sweet of you," Keith replied, letting the technicians work on him. He was surprised they were letting them ride in the truck with him, but they didn't say anything, so he assumed it was going to be okay.

* * * *​

"I hope you weren't expecting lunch," Zack said. "Because I'm not paying." He climbed into his black SUV, waiting for Faye while he watched her approach the car from the side. He started the car, noticing that Marcos and Evan were in the truck with Keith. Now those were some good kids, he thought to himself, realizing he was going to be alone in the car with Faye.
 
Sophie hated to leave him alone like that, but when she saw that the others were going to be riding with him, she felt less horrible about herself. She wouldn't leave his side once they got to the hospital. Though she was a little on edge, she followed the ambulance directly to the emergency room. She parked in the proper place and then ran in to find Keith again. Her parents arrived shortly after, Deliah more worried for Keith, Spencer for Sophie.
_________

Faye noted the conspicuous absence of the others, but remained relatively unconcerned. Unless he felt like being an utter asshole to her, she would be fine. Zack wasn't interested in anything with ovaries these days, so that put her out. That, of course, didn't stop her from appreciating what she couldn't have even if she wanted.

And why would she want someone who was constantly a douche that needed to be taken down a peg? Because he wasn't always one, she reminded herself. But that didn't mean she had to put up with his shit, and she wouldn't. The second he started bitching and moaning, was the second she slapped him right in the mouth. Faye really had had enough.

Despite her small size and the fact that he pretty much hated women, she wasn't afraid of him, and she wasn't afraid to let him know that. "I thought we were driving to the hospital? Why would we stop for lunch?"
 
It's been a while since Keith was ever at a hospital. The doctor ruled out that his arm was fractured--it was more of an incomplete fracture, or a greenstick, from what he called it. The bone wasn't completely split, but more bent to the point that it was about to break apart. The doctor splinted him up, complete with the band around his neck and everything.

Keith was also suffering from a light concussion, and the doctor managed to stitch up the cut on the left side of his head, before wrapping a bandage all around his forehead. Some of his hair fell over the bandage, making him look like he was wearing a makeshift bandanna. Great, now he was ever so closer to looking like Jeff...although he was beginning to feel his pain a little.

Keith's eyes lit up when he saw Sophie enter the room, who arrived early enough to know what was going on with him. He wanted to say something, but nothing witty came to mind. So he just smiled, keeping his eye on her as he said, "Hi." Then her parents joined her. "Mrs. Renard, Mr. Renard," he said, nodding. "I'm surprised you're all here."

For the first time in a really long time, he was in a room with what seemed like a family. Sophie, along with her parents. They may not have been relatives, but he didn't feel alone for once. Evan and Marcos may have alleviated the loneliness somewhat, but they had to leave him alone to hang out in the visitor area, catching up on some hours of sleep they were needing. During that lonesome stretch, he just felt this ominous feeling of helplessness, which just really sucked. At that moment, he could almost understand what it must felt like to die. Everyone died alone.

But when Sophie entered the room, it all changed. He remembered he was still twenty and had quite a ways to live before any of those thoughts mattered, and he wanted to share those years with her. That was why he smiled when he saw her. The girl he ever truly cared about was in the room with him now, and he was madly in love with her. Now if only he had better ways to show her that than getting his bones broken...
 
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