Chapter 2

Bruce POV

It is about half past midnight when I get back into town. The first place I chose to go was the police station so I can drop Derrick off into police custody. While approaching the station, I noticed how some of the midnight strollers were staring at me with some fear and curiosity in their eyes. I just shrugged the looks off because I was use to them by now. Before I knew it, I was in front of the police station.

As I walked in, I was greeted with lots of happy faces. I always felt like this was my second home. "Hey Jules," I said to Julia, the receptionist here at the station. "How are you tonight?"

Julia smiled when I said hey to her. "I'm doing pretty well, Bruce. Who did you bring in tonight?" Julia nodded towards Derrick and Amy as she continued typing up reports.

"Just a pervert who tried to have sex with his girlfriend when she wasn't ready," I explained as I picked Derrick off of my shoulder. Derrick woke with a jolt, like as if he just got shocked, as I placed him on the ground.

"What's going on?! Where am I?!" exclaimed Derrick, unaware where he is at the moment. He turned his head and when he saw that he was putting him on the ground, his eyes grew wide in horror. "GET OFF OF ME, YOU FREAK!!!"

"First off, my name is Bruce, not freak," I said to Derrick as I let him go. "Secondly, you are at a police station. Finally, you are under arrest for attempted rape." As I got done saying this to him, I noticed two new officers chit-chatting to each other. "Hey, probies," I called to them, using the officer slang word for newbies, "please place this young man in handcuffs and place him in a holding cell until his parents arrive to pick him up." The two new officers came over mumbling about hating being called probies, placed handcuffs on Derrick, and took him to a holding cell kicking and screaming. After he was placed in a holding cell down the hall, Amy opened her eyes and looked at me with a sweet smile.

"Thank you for helping me, Mr. …," Amy said, getting caught up with not knowing my name.

"You are welcome, Amy," I said, smiling back at her. "My name is Officer Bruce Armstrong, but you can just call me Bruce. You don't need to be formal with me." She sounds really tired and she ought to be after what happened earlier tonight. "Amy, would you like for me to escort you home?"

Amy looked back at me with a big smile and joy in her eyes. "I would love to Officer Bruce. I can walk, so you don't need to carry me home." I helped her down from my arm and kept her supported while she regained her balance.

"Later, Jules," I said to Julia and gave her a fist bump as I walked Amy out.

"See you tomorrow, Bruce," Julia said, bumping my fist back. "Don't get into any trouble, Amy."

Amy smiled at Julia and waved. "I promise that I will try not to get into trouble." Amy went out the door and I closed it behind her. When we got to Amy's house, I began to get a little nervous because of how people looked at me when they first meet me.

What if Amy's parents, or parent, think that I did something to her? I would never be able to live that down if I was labeled as a monster. I guess my nervousness showed because Amy gave my arm a hug and tried to pull me up to the door.

"Please stay with me as I tell my mom what happened tonight?" Amy asked me sweetly.

"I don't know Amy," I said timidly, "I don't want to give your mom a heart attack when she sees you with me, being a hulk of a human being." Amy giggled at the comment I made about being a hulk. I smiled and looked at her only to be greeted by one of my very few weaknesses, Bambi eyes.

Dagdamit, why did I look at her now? I thought to myself, closing my eyes and turning my head away from her. I'm always been a sweet heart towards kids, but I've always been strict. Bambi eyes always get me to be extra lenient with the rules. "Oh ok, Amy," I said finally, looking back at her. "I'll walk you to the door."

Amy jumped up and down while squealing with joy. "Thank you, thank you, thank you!" Amy exclaimed in excitement while giving me a hug around my neck. She then gave me a peck on the cheek, which made me blush and caused her to giggle.

When we got up to the door and Amy rang the bell, a familiar scent caused my nostrils to flare in wonder. "What's wrong, Bruce?" Amy asked me, hearing me sniff the air like a bloodhound.

"Nothing, Amy," I replied. "I have a better sense of smell than most people and something, or someone, here in this home smells familiar." I sniffed the air again and added, "The scent is friendly and something I haven't noticed in just shy of sixteen years." What is causing this scent to stir?

As I was asking myself some questions, I heard the door open and a gasp from a woman inside. "Is that you, Bruce?"

I looked down and recognized the little lady in the doorway immediately. "I am Bruce….my darling Nariko." I just let go a big toothy grin that I had long forgotten that I had while Nariko and I embraced each other lovingly in a hug and kiss.

"Excuse me, mom?" Amy asked, which caused us to break the kiss and hug. "Do you know Mr. Bruce from somewhere?"

Nariko smiled and looked at Amy. "I do dear," she said while drawing Amy into the hug. "Bruce is my husband and your father." Amy and I looked at Nariko and then each other. We then embraced each other in a big family hug, smiling and just feeling happy that we are all together again.