The entire bar had been vacated, except for the two of us that now worked it. Wynne turned toward me and flashed a quick smile. "How did you do on tips tonight newbie?" she asked playfully. I could see her mind working into over time. I had caught her staring at me throughout the entire night. Just being able to hold her attention and make her smile was all I needed. She was extremely gorgeous and was a good girl, so pure and innocent.

"Pretty great actually. I did what you said and made a killing off of one girl. How did you do?" I nudged her shoulder. She smiled up at me and her dark blue eyes softened as she stared back into mine. "I heard what those guys were saying to you. I don't think that's right that they can get away saying those things."

Her face turned a light shade of pink and she spoke quickly, "It's fine, I get it a lot. They think that they can do it because I'm a women. It gets me tips and keeps them coming back. And anyway most of them are too drunk to even know what they are saying" I could see her smile was there to try and comfort me, it looked strained and I could tell she was uncomfortable with it as well.

I was disgusted tonight by how they talked to her. It wasn't right she had been through so much and they knew so little. I shook my head fervently "That's not right though. You deserve to be treated better. But if that's what you're accustomed to I guess there is no way to change it." I reached for the cleaning towel on the counter. Wynne watched my fingers as I reached for it.

"What did you do to your fingers?" her hands reached out to mine, hers were minute compared to my hands. Wynne's fingers hesitated before touching mine, I extended my fingers closing the gap between our hands. It was only fair that I closed the distance between our fingers.

"I used to umm get into a lot of fights in high school and even a little in college." I rested my fingers in her palm.

Wynne's fingers traced over each white marking it was a delicate sensitive motion. "You look like you were scratched. Do guys scratch? I always thought that it was a girl thing to do." She snickered to herself. Her fingers continued tracing against my skin.

"I was not a very chivalrous boy at the time. I fought dirty." I felt my face fall and I retracted my hands from hers, shoving them in my pockets. Wynne reached out to me and pulled up my face, her eyes were so blue, so full of care and life. I felt as though I could stare into them for a lifetime.

She looked at me and her eyes bore into mine. "Well you seem to have changed that. I don't believe that you ever got into any fights, you are too nice." I gave her a weak smile back, if only she knew everything I had fought for. "Alright I'm going to go ahead and close up. You go ahead and get home. This always takes awhile." she turned around and began locking up all of the liquor. Her delicate fingers turning the keys and shutting all of the doors.

"That's alright I can help you." I moved to the other end of the bar, she kept her eyes from looking at me and I kept moving closer to her. She was so focused on making sure the key went in and I knew she was trying not to make eye contact with me. I kept looking at her trying to have her give me one look with her beautiful eyes, to have one smile from her. She would glace up and see me starting. Every time she did she would give me a small smile. I averted my eyes and felt my face grow red every time she looked at me. This didn't stop me from staring though. Just looking at her made me so happy that I was around. She lit up everything in this little old town.

'Ok I think we are good to go!" she announced as she locked the final lock. She put the keys in her purse and turned toward me. "I will see you tomorrow!" she walked past me and smiled coyly, she bit her lip like she was trying to hide it but I could see right through her. I remembered why I had come here, to protect her from everything that was trying to destroy her.

"Are you taking the bus home?" I brushed my fingers against her arm trying to make her stop. She stopped in her tracks and looked back at my hand.

"Yeah I always do." she replied looking back into my eyes. I stared into hers trying to make her see reason, her life would be in danger if I couldn't stop her. I had to convince her or at least slow her down.

"I don't think you should. Too many bad people out there." I felt my face crease just thinking about those dirty heathens waiting just outside the door rubbed me the wrong way. "I have a bike and an extra helmet. At least tonight let me give you a ride home." My hand reached for hers and I longed for her thin fingers to touch my bare skin.

I saw her normally calm demeanor change, she looked at me and I knew if looks could kill I would be dead "No that's alright I am a big girl and can take care of myself." she jerked away from me and walked out the door. I knew I still had to protect her. I still had my duty, to my job, and to her.