Chapter 3

I own no one… wish I did, but I don't.

I only own L.K., Mattew, Haven and kinda Cori.

None of the Todd characters

Cori didn't believe me about the whole Todd incident. Haven and Mattew didn't either. I considered myself at least a little lucky that Mattew didn't follow the old law and lock me up in an asylum. Business was as it normally was. Christmas was coming up in a few days, about eleven, and we were working overtime from all the customers.

Cori was branching out by making new things, mainly desserts, and Haven and I tried them out. Some of them were pretty good, like the alcoholic gingerbread men. (A/N: The cookies held beer bottles and such, and were baked with vodka.) Others were…not so great. (A/N: Like the mint mini-cakes. *shudder* Ew…)

"How about this one: Egg nog cake," I scrunched my nose and did the hand motion for 'so-so'. She wrote something down on a pad of paper. "Alright then…Rum cookies?" I licked my lips and nodded vigorously. "Alright. I'm gonna get Haven's opinion." She walked away and I sighed, leaning against the counter to lift my leg up and scratch my ankle. The brace was chafing. Great. I let my leg drop as a customer walked up to order something. I rang up his order and took his money, handed him the proper change, then headed to the back to hand it off to Haven. He was temporarily the only kitchen staff we had, until we scraped a little more money together for a sous chef. He was happy with it though, and even accepted lower wages than normal.

"Hey L.K. Next order?" Haven was used to the silent-ness, as was Cori. But Cori didn't like it. "Great…three dozen strawberry cupcakes with buttercream and whipped icing. The one thing I suck at the worst, and they want a crap load of it. Care to help out L.K.?" He turned to me. He knew I adored making and frosting cupcakes, but also knew that Cori needed me to work the front. Looking to Cori, I pleaded with my eyes.

"Fine." She sighed, smiling. She knew how much I loved the whole cupcake thing. "Try to be good, okay? Don't bug Haven too bad." She smiled and walked out of the kitchen. I silently squee'd as I jumped up and down, smiling. After a couple of jumps, Haven smiled and put his hands on my shoulders to still my jumping.

"Easy. Save your energy for the cupcakes. Let's get started. The order's due in two days." I nodded and headed to the pantry to dig out the proper ingredients for cupcakes. I didn't use the cheap store mix; no, I made mine from scratch with a homemade recipe. Same thing went for any kind of icing. I dug in the fridge for milk, cream, eggs and butter, then went to the pantry for flour, sugar and powdered strawberries.

"Haven, we need some more hot cocoa. We're almost out." Cori called back, ringing up an order.

"Got it." He called back to her, heading to the fridge for chocolate milk, then on to the pantry for cocoa, hazelnut, and cinnamon powder. I smiled and held out the bottle of chocolate syrup, shaking my head. "Thanks L.K." He gave me a quick hug and headed to the blender. Adding in the hazelnut, cocoa and cinnamon powder, he blended them before adding the chocolate milk. After a few pulses, he added the chocolate syrup. We made really chocolate-y hot cocoa…(that's how it earned the name "Death by Hot Chocolate Cocoa". ^_^) Anyway, Haven had finished mixing it, so he poured the mixture into the hot cocoa pot before handing it off to Cori.

"Thanks Haven." Cori smiled, a few stress lines becoming obvious on her forehead when she did. She was being insomniac again. Fuck. It was bad enough that I had stress every night worrying about Todd showing up, but she had it worse than me. She was the main person who took care of the shop. "Oh, L.K. I was gonna tell you that Fatty's here to visit." I muttered (silently) to myself and brought the bowl of batter further into the back of the kitchen.

--------------------------------------------------Haven's P.O.V.-----------------------------------------------------

"What's so bad about Mattew?" I asked Cori, quickly kissing her cheek before heading to the register. A cute shade of pink coated her cheeks as she gave a cinnamon roll to an elderly man. He smiled and tipped his hat.

"Ah, young love. So rare nowadays. I hope it lasts between you two. My wife and I were married for fifty-three years. She passed away two years ago. Today would have been our anniversary." He sighed, shaking his head. "Listen to me. A poor old man, rambling on about his life. I hope you two have a good day." He tipped his hat again and shuffled out. I grinned.

"Poor guy. I hope he receives happiness soon." I muttered. Cori shook her head.

" 'Poor guy' is right. How can he survive without the love of his life?" She asked, nudging me out of the way to ring up an order. I grinned and headed to the dining room to clean a table or two. Whenever she got sad, I usually stayed away 'til she cheered up.

"Haven, L.K. needs help setting up the oven. She doesn't know how it works…" The oven had been reduced price from a bakery across the street, and it was reduced because the temp dial was messed up. I nodded and finished wiping down a table, took someone's tip, then headed into the kitchen. L.K. stood there, staring at the oven. When she saw me come in, she smiled and quickly did sign language. She knew I could read it.

'I'm trying to infiltrate its mind and tell it that if it burns my cupcakes, it'll wind up on fire itself, really beat up, and back on the curb.' She smiled, her hands pausing so I could reply.

"O-kay…"I drew the word out a little, slightly confused. "And…why are you saying that? Now it may not even come on." I smiled and turned the dial, watching for the little red light to come on. After a moment, it did. "Score!" I smiled a little wider and set it to the proper temp, carefully explaining how it worked.

'Thanks Haven! I owe you one. I'll save you a few cupcakes.' She smiled and opened the oven door. She slid the tray in and set the timer. I smiled and headed back out to the dining hall. Customers were starting to form a pretty long line.

"Jeez..." I headed quickly to the register and started ringing up orders. My eyes scanned for Cori and I found her, refilling drinks and serving people. Man, I hated evening rush. The rush only got worse as holidays loomed closer. "Seven forty-three." I told the man, pressing the proper keys on the register. He held out a five and three ones, and I gave him the proper change. "Happy holidays and Merry Christmas." I told him as he left. I rang up the next person's order and gave her the proper change. "It will be out in just a moment."

Cori got the customers seated and I slipped into the kitchen to prepare their orders. Much to my amazement, several plates, bowls and glasses sat on the counter. When did L.K. learn to make the drinks and such? I shrugged, and picked up two bowls, a plate, and a platter of cups. Carefully making my way back out to the dining hall, I started setting the orders in front of the correct people.

"Thank you Haven."

"Thanks dude! I'll tip next time!"

"Many thanks, young sir." That voice stood out from the rest. I did a double take and recognized the face. What was he doing here? He never said he was going to visit. The risk was far too high.

"H-how nice of you to stop by s-sir. Are you enjoying the service at the restaurant?" I asked him. He was the last order I had. I hoped to god that Cori and L.K. were busy.

"Indeed I am. Who is the current chef that prepared my food?" He picked up a fork and prodded the chocolate soufflé. I knew he'd never eat it.

"Her name is L.K. At least, that's what she goes by. I don't know her last name." I glanced around and took a seat in the chair across from his. "Why are you here?" I asked in a low voice, fear making it tight.

"Am I not allowed to visit my young pupil? Have a polite chat as I eat a nice snack?" As he said it, he lifted a forkful of the chocolate into his mouth. I knew he'd never swallow.

"Shall we speak outside then? Any matter I discuss with you is usually very private." I asked him, glancing to the door. He smiled at me, nodding his head before standing. I headed for the door, and saw L.K. staring at my "friend" and me. I signed to her that I was going on break and I'd be back in a few minutes. She nodded and headed back into the kitchen, a sad look in her eyes. I shut the door and flipped the sign so it said, "Sorry, we're closed" to the public, before turning to the man.

"Why are you here?" I questioned, giving him a moment to spit out the mouthful of cake he had. He raised his upper lip in a snarl and wiped his tongue off with the edge of his jacket.

"And I will repeat the answer I gave before. I am simply here to visit with my young pupil. Have a nice…snack…as we chat." His eyes flashed as he stared past me into the alleyway, and I glanced back. Why was L.K. outside? She knew how dangerous it got after dark.

"Don't you dare..." I muttered, glaring at him. He smirked at me and took a step closer to her, licking his lips.

"Just a taste. I've never tried her kind before." He held up one finger, taking another step closer to the young girl. My hand grabbed his arm and he snarled at me. "It's just one mouthful. I'll not drain her. Promise." His eyes flashed again as L.K.'s head turned, showing more flesh on her neck. How stupid was she? She needed to go back inside!

"One mouthful. Make sure she doesn't feel it." I mumbled, knowing he'd listen to that. He had gone too far one time, and one time only. "And make sure she doesn't remember it either." I told him, letting go of his arm. He nodded his head before stalking over to the girl. The black cat that L.K. had been taking care of, even though it was a stray, saw him and bolted. The girl turned to see who had spooked her pet and saw him, but before she could scream, he was on her.

When his mouth pressed softly to her neck, I had to look away. I nearly blocked my ears to muffle the sound of liquid, but he was good. I never heard a thing. He held her for a moment more, licking her wound, before carrying her back to me. He smirked and slowly licked away a stray drop, teasing me.

"She is more delicious than I was expecting. Be careful to keep her safe." He grinned, setting her in my arms. I lifted her a little, adjusting her body so it would sit almost comfortably in my arms. I turned to go back inside, but his hand on my shoulder stopped me. "Let me know if she remembers anything. I would hate to have to flee again. I rather like England." He glanced around and smiled.

"I remember what you said about it though." I scoffed. Who didn't? "But fine. I'll make sure she doesn't spill." I shook his hand off and slipped up the back stairs, using the hidden key to unlock the door. I was careful as I opened it, since I knew they placed a small table in front of it. I pushed the door open, again being careful of the table, slipped in, and set L.K. on her bed. Cori would probably ask questions, so I had to come up with a story.

"Hey Haven. What happened to L.K.?" Cori's voice spooked me, and my hands faltered a little as I covered the girl up.

"She was in the alley and I pranked her. Snuck up on her and poked her, faked a voice, and she thought I was Todd. Scared her so bad she fainted. Should've thought before I acted." I shrugged my shoulders, deciding not to tell her of my visitor.

"Haven, you know better. She's still super spooked about that." The brunette walked over to L.K. and pressed a palm to her forehead, muttering something under her breath. "She'll be fine. Be sure to watch what you say to her, please." Her voice was low, and it held care. I didn't know the two were that close...

"I'm sorry. I'll think before I act next time." I bowed at the waist and shut my eyes. "My deepest apologies. I wish that you will find it in your heart to forgive me." She smiled a little and I raised my head in time to feel her lips press to my cheek.

"I forgive you. But just be more careful next time, okay?" Her eyes were kind as she headed back downstairs to take care of the last few customers. I bowed again and prepared her bed for her, turning the corner down just right. Once I deemed it passable, I headed for my own bed.

"I wish you the best of nights, L.K…I'll see you tomorrow." I slid under the covers and sighed, relaxing a little as I heard Cori moving around downstairs. She really needed a day off. I lay awake, pondering what I could do in order to make that happen. After a long while, I heard her come back upstairs and climb into bed. I heard her say her good nights and the bed creak. I smiled some, for once she was asleep, I had thought of it. The perfect way for her to have a day off. Smiling to myself, I picked up the pad of paper I kept near my bed and scribbled down some notes. After I put the pad back up, I curled up and fell asleep with a smile on my face.