"GGGYYYYAAAAAAAAAAAAA-!" The mouse squealed as Boris chased his prey through the streets. I sighed and thumped my skull piercing headache of a head against the engine whose rotors had popped out of place. Really? Again? I swear I take my eyes off him for a second and he's chasing that poor guy around. What was his name? Pierce? I steadily tried to ignore it as the screaming got louder coupled with a number of bangs and crashes. It sounds like Boris is really getting into it today. I huffed and threw the broken rotor to the ground. I can't even concentrate like this! I snuck close to the corner of a nearby building waiting for them to come by. I sighed as it became louder.

Now-!

I jumped out of my hiding place absorbing the full running speed of the little mouse. He squeaked and struggled in my arms trying to get free. I held fast, locking my arms behind him, barely able to corral the struggling animal. For a smaller guy he's much stronger than he looks.

"Oh? You caught him!" Boris cried trotting up from behind. Pierce screamed with tears dabbing his eyes frantically trying to get out of my grasp.

"Stop struggling will you?!" I shouted. Pierce froze as he casted his eyes over me. A tear ran down his cute little face as he wrapped his arms around me hiding his face.

Wait, cute?

"Cats are scary~!" He sobbed. I numbly patted his head shooting a glare over to the smiling cat.

"Boris! Stop causing a ruckus! I can't even think straight with all that screaming!" I reprimanded holding the trembling little mouse in my arms. Boris's face remained alive as he playfully tugged on Pierce's tail.

"I can't help it. Cat's chase mice. It's the rule."

"Screw the rule! Go do it somewhere else!" I harshly reprimanded his stupidity. Boris sulked.

"Boo~ that's no fun. Here, he has to get through the crowd of people while trying to dodge my bullets and-,"

"HOW MANY TIMES HAVE I TOLD YOU NOT TO SHOOT AT THE COSTUMERS?!" I criticized. What the heck is wrong with him?!

"I wasn't shooting at them; I was aiming at Pierce." Boris clarified as if that little note let him get away scot free.

"You could have killed someone!"

"I only skimmed them; they're fine." I flipped the wrench in my hand making Boris take off. He knew what I was planning. I hefted it at the stupid cat watching with dismay as he caught it with his tail. "Come and get it when you decide to apologize for interrupting my game~," he sang melting into the crowd.

"Boris wait-! Ugh, great." Now I can't finish my work. Just freaking dandy. I glanced down at the sobbing mass of flesh with slight disgust. He's slobbering all over my clothes...oh well. At least these are my work clothes. "Hey, he's gone." I said tapping his shoulder. He stopped crying looking back over his shoulder to ensure the truth.

"Wow...," he murmured as he whipped around and kissed me on the cheek. "Thank you! Thank you very much! How did you chase away that nasty cat? That was amazing!" I stood frozen in shock as he showered me with praises.

Kiss.

That was a kiss.

As in, lip-contact-to-my-skin kiss.

"Ah...you're welcome?" I said trying to shake away my sudden unease. A faint blush rose to my cheeks; maybe that's just how he thanks people? With a simple kiss? But...a k-kiss...a kiss is...

"Oh? Are you alright chu~?" He asked as he placed a hand to my forehead.

"You're warm chu~," he noted as he leaned closer.

"WAH-!" Jackie cried as she shoved him away. Pierce jumped slightly and turned as if he was going to run, warily watching my actions. I stumbled back barely catching myself on the ride I was fixing.

"Are you alright chu~?" Pierce timidly asked as he took a hesitant step forward.

"Ah, yeah - yeah...I - I was just surprised. That's all." I said trying to cover my embarrassment. Ugh, I'm such a kid...I was taken off guard, that's all.

"Yeah, cat's are scary...," Pierce trailed off as his ear twitched. His entire body stiffened as he concentrated on the area, analyzing the sound he heard with wide eyes before relaxing, falling back into a rather peaceful state in the same moment. A giggle slipped past my lips. That was funny...he got all hyped up over nothing...

"Jackie...," his voice turned to a slightly higher pitch as he looked down, almost embarrassed to ask me something. My full attention was automatically captivated by the small mouse as a tiny blush ran over his cheeks.

"Yeah?" I softly encouraged, making him blush to a deep shade. Oh so cute-!

"D-Do you m-mind if I stay with you for now? I - I - I'm afraid Boris is going to c-c-c-come for me and - and I - ," he stuttered off unable to finish the embarrassing request. I found myself wrapping my arms around the tiny mouse pulling him into a quick hug. So cute! Just like a little plush cuddly teddy bear-!

"Of course you can." I answered very much so favoring his somewhat smaller body in my arms. He's so cute~

"Really chu~?!" He asked, almost shocked that I said yes.

"Of course! Just promise you'll help me out alright?"

"I-I will do my best-!" He said as his face turned determined. I giggled at his reaction and again unconsciously hugged him.

So cute-!

‡

Not one thing. Peirce for the life of himself could not do one thing right.

When I asked him to tape some wires together he tapped his fingers to the wire, of which I had to pry out after cutting through ten layers of electric tape.

When I asked him to get me a size one hex nut he dropped it on his foot making him squeal the highest I've ever heart a man scream before.

I laughed hysterically at his misfortunes, more so in shock than actual enjoyment of his pain. Tiny tears welled at the corners of Pierce's eyes as he held his foot with a pained whine slipping out of his lips. I sympathetically smiled and patted his shoulder.

"It's alright; can you walk?" I asked leering over the heavy lock of metal he dropped on it this time.

"Y-Yeah...," he trailed off painfully shakily standing up before falling back down. I grimaced. Ah that doesn't look good...

"Here, let me take a look." I said kneeling beside him and edged up his pant leg gawking over his already swelling foot. "Oh~ that doesn't look too good."

"Y-Yeah...," he murmured as his embarrassed flush deepened and it looked like he was going to cry.

"Pierce what's wrong?" I asked trying to get a better look at his cute face. I can't help it; he's cute. There's no way around it.

"I-I-I just made everything worse-!" He wailed as the day's frustrations got to him. I chuckled at his reasoning and pulled him into a tight hug. "Jackie?"

"Yeah, you messed up. But you know what? You made my day very fun so thank you." Well, I meant for it to be a compliment. A smile lit up his face despite his tear filled eyes.

"Really?"

"Yeah. I would love to have my little helper back whenever you get free time." I teased pinching his stuffy nose. He scrunched his nose and squeezed his eyes closed as I tugged on his button nose. So cute~

"Really?" He asked again, hopeful.

"Yeah. Now let's get that checked out by a doctor."

‡

"This is awful-!" Pierce cried as the lamps lit up the dark streets. I chuckled and readjusted my hold on him as he laid on my back, forced to let me carry him back to my place.

"What is?" I asked knowing exactly what he meant. He's embarrassed that a girl is helping him. His 'manly pride' - or at least the some he has - is taking a major blow by my carrying him. But I can't help it; he's so cute I want to spoil him!

"W-We just met and - and you're being so nice to me-!" I glanced back, startled. Nice?

"Nice to you? I'm just doing what normal friends would do."

"Friends?" He asked, seeming to perk up at the word. I heartily laughed and again readjusted my hold on his legs; he's surprisingly heavy for a small guy.

"Yeah. Aren't we friends?"

"Friends...I've never had a friend before." He said tapping his chin.

"Seriously?" I asked, shocked. How is that possible.

"Yeah. Most people scream 'Ew! It's a mouse!' or 'don't go near him he's bad news'. Chu~." Bad news? This little guy? I chuckled.

"Ah, those people are idiots. I personally think mice are adorable." I commented, eagerly watching his blush rise.

"C-Cute?!" He cried with wide eyes, utterly embarrassed by my comment. I laughed again. He's so funny.

"Of course. We are friends and you are cute. Accept the facts." I crooned as we entered the park's gates.

"I-I see...," he murmured resting his head on my shoulder. I stiffened slightly as I felt a warm pair of lips touch the back of my neck. "T-Thank you chu~." He whispered looking away with a deep blush. My heart ached as I refrained from whipping around and hugging him so tightly his head popped off. So cute! Who could possibly think of Pierce as ugly? He's adorable! Cute as a button!

"Chu? Jackie, where are you taking me?"

"Well, since I have no idea where you live I'm taking you to my place for the night."

"W-What? Oh, no, I couldn't possibly trouble you like that-!"

"Pierce, we are friends. And that's what friends do." I teased as I came to my door. I slowly huffed and precariously balanced on one foot, using the other to pull down the handle and tap it open. Pierce remained unusually silent as I trudged to my bed, letting my arms give out after I safely placed Pierce onto the soft mattress.

"You can sleep here tonight; I'll take the couch." I offered taking one of the pillows and extra blankets off the couch.

"What?! Ah, no, I - I shouldn't - I - I mean this is your room and - and - !"

"Yep; my room, my rules. So, as the guest, you get the bed alright?"

"B-B-B-B-But-!"

"No but's. Just take the bed Pierce. It's fine." I purred poking his nose. Again his face flushed.

"Y-You're so nice...," he muttered with a strong blush. I impulsively wrapped my arms around him for yet another hug. Man, normally I'm not this clingy but there's something about adorable things that make anyone go nuts. For the first time he hesitantly embraced me back accepting the friendly touch.

"Good. Now go to bed." I said pulling away. Pierce popped forward in an instant smacking his lips against my cheek.

"N-Night." He said with a warm hearted smile. My heart melted at his cute little smile dying to make his smile even more. I think I'm about to die he's so freaking cute-! I turned away struggling to hold back my irrational affection. Ah, this is no good...I picked up some pajamas turning to Pierce.

"Here; you can wear these tonight and tomorrow I can take you to your place if you'd like." I offered tossing him some oversized sweats and a large T - shirt for those days when my 'womanly flow' greatly affects my sense of caring for fashion. I slipped into the bathroom with my own sweats and tank top before re entering the room.

"Night Pierce." I called calling into the small hugs of the cramped couch. My legs easily spilled over the edge from the single couch but I didn't care; it was a little price to pay to see him blushing so much. Ah...so cute.

I wonder what will happen tomorrow with me and my newfound friend?

PIERCE'S POV

My ears lightly twitched hastily deciphering every tiny noise made outside. Gentle scratching; a branch in the wind. Metal clanking; loose bolts. Every noise, no matter how small and insignificant, held a source which explains each one. I gently listened to Jackie's light breathing, straining my ears to hear something I've never heard before, not even from Alice.

A heartbeat.

I slipped out of the bed making noises that not even my ears could perceive. Years of running and hiding has made me a master at stealth, although a coward at many other things. I tip toed to her side as the temptation grew too much. I leaned down, listening to the one and only source of gently thrumming life. It sounded like music to my ears as I found myself breathing according to its beat, as if to hide my pathetic presence from such a resonating beauty. Jackie...I smiled gently as I recalled her chasing away that nasty cat. She's so nice protecting me...

What will I do when she finds out I work for the mafia?

I shuttered to know what she would think. Even Alice was startled to learn that. Will she think differently of me? Will we still be 'friends'? I gently laid my head to her chest trying to get as close to the unworldly sound as possible. I have only a ticking block but Jackie...

Her 'ticking' is precious.

This 'ticking' is irreplaceable. Once it's gone it's gone forever. Not at all like a clock. We are replaceable, insignificant in the grand scheme of things. Even us Role Holders are subjugate to such things. I closed my ears losing myself in her type of 'ticking' heart. So many times...how many times have I tried to kill myself? And how many times did I think, 'oh, I can't, I shouldn't. Whoever would take my place would surely resent and hate me for making them the wretched mouse which hides the clocks'. I sadly sighed. But Jackie...

She likes me.

She really, really likes me.

I flushed slightly as I pulled back looking at how she tried to squish her body onto the too small couch. I scrunched my nose. No. You get the bed and I'll get the couch. I gently glided my arms beneath her body lifting her up. Oh? She's...surprisingly heavy! I staggered over to the bed barely making it in time as I oh so softly set her down. She sucked in a deep breath and rolled over mumbling in her sleep as her heart skipped a beat. My ears perked up; oh? It changed in sound. Why? I curiously leaned in and pressed my ear to her chest. It's back to normal. Is her heart...defective? Fear crept over me. If her heart 'ticks' like that will she die?! Shock radiated within my very bones as I crawled in next to her protectively listening to the still small fragile heartbeat. Ah...it's 'ticking' normally again...that's good...

...

‡

Alright I couldn't resist making one of Pierce! He's just so cute! Please Review and tell me what you think and possible ideas. I think it would be very interesting for Jackie to have a timid little cutie pie!