Now that the world isn't ending, its love that I'm sending to you.
It isn't the love of a hero, and that's why I fear it wont do.
And they say that a hero can save us.
I'm not gonna stand here and wait

-Nickelback f. Josey Scott

Work was another four hours of this shit. Taking orders and trying not to shudder when I had to put the chemical sludge this corporation called butter over popcorn. Closing my eyes I leaned back against the cool concrete wall as a car pulled up. I peeked an eye open. I was expecting Ian-but this car was far too nice to be Ian's.

A man got out and stood near the back doors as people continued to stream out of the theatre.

"-girlfriend." A vague familiar voice, a rather distinct one, droned with annoyance.

"Well, why don't you tell her yourself?"

This wasn't happening. I kept my eyes forward as two familiar faces, and one not so familiar one, stood out side the car. I slipped my hand into my front pocket as foot steps approached me. Gripping the cool metal canister the shadow gave me an obvious clue as to who it was. "Can I help you, sir?"

"Mr. D'Amico would like to know if you need I ride."

I scoffed at that and stood, shaking my head at him. "I only got three rules; don't cheat, don't steal, and don't hitchhike."

He tilted his head at me. "It's not really-"

"Is a stranger giving me a ride?"

"Mr. D'Amico-"

"Is probably a very nice man, but I will not be ridiculed all the way home." Ian pulled up and I hopped in the front. "But your offer is appreciated, sir." I saluted him through the open window as the young man pulled erratically away from the curb. My purse fell to the floor in front of him and I smacked him in the chest as I leaned over to get it.

"You suck, Ian."

"Well to the outside world, it is you that is sucking, Care." He smirked as he continued to drive. I rolled my eyes as he went on, "was that who I think it was?"

"Yep."

"You really have no idea who he is?"

I tilted my head at him as I drummed my fingers on the outside of the car's window, "should I?"

He stayed quiet before shrugging, "Chris's a nice kid. Doesn't get enough slack."

"Okay…"

"You should swing by my house tomorrow." He changed the subject flawlessly as we stopped at a red light. "I need a favor."

I shook my head, "the last favor you needed almost got me shanked."

"Well," He grimaced, "it's a similar favor."

"Like, what kind of similar?"

"Like the same." He looked at me, "I want you to go out again, stir up some press. Maybe help a few people while you're at it."

I stared at him, incredulous. "But, why? I mean-why?"

"I saw that look on your face. After you helped that kid. You were relieved-"

"That I didn't get stabbed!"

"You like helping people. You're fast-you can stay out of trouble. Gymnastics gave you that." Ian glanced at me, completely calm. "I can teach you some defense stuff, and you're like a pro with a gun."

I rubbed my eyes, "It's too late for this shit."

"It's nine thirty." He snapped, "I'll give you a bigger cut. Twenty five percent." Ian turned left as the light turned green, "you know you need the money."

That was true. I couldn't get into any kind of half decent college with the money I had saved up. "I'll think about it."

"That's all I ask." He smiled at me and my stomach sank. My dad was gonna kill me. I doubt when he started taking me to the shooting range, it was in hopes of me becoming some kind of backward vigilante.

I sighed and banged my head back against its rest, "you really suck, you know that?"

"I know." He pulled into the drive way, "there's chocolate covered almonds in the glove box."

"Aw, thanks babe."

"No problem, puddin'."

I sauntered into my home, prize clutched neatly in my hand. I was half way through the door when I spotted my mom. She was standing in the kitchen's entrance, grinning.

No. That was a smirk. My jaw clenched, as I shouted through my teeth into the living room. "Tanis!"

"Well, you started it!" She called back.

Rolling my eyes I groaned and crossed my arms. I blushed before meeting my mom's eyes. "What'd she tell you?"

"That you have a," she tucked the dish under her arm and used quotations, " 'Love Pig' named Chris."

"I don't have a love pig of any sort! All I have is a three foot tall pain in my ass." I said, clicking my tongue I opened up my almonds. "Want one?"

"No thanks," She smiled demurely at me, and I returned it with caution. She went on, "I figured as much. I mean, the only boy I've ever seen you talk to is Ian…and Todd, but Ian's, you know, and Toddie is..."

"A freaking idiot?" Gary piped in from somewhere in the kitchen.

I nodded earnestly, "true."

The lovely woman's(she's my mom, I'll call her lovely if I want to) green eyes fluttered down to her wrist watch. "You should get in there, they've been waiting almost a half hour."

"Right," I went to duck out of the room, but her voice stopped me.

"So, this Chris…is he a real person?"

"Yes."

"…Is he cute?"

A fire lit under my skin as I shrieked, "mom!"

"That's a yes," Her smirk widened, and I could hear her husband laughing from the kitchen, "go on-oh, and Carmen?"

I glared at her, an amused smile tugging at my own lips, "yes, mother?"

"Tanis is four foot two."

"That's pretty damn close to three," I muttered.

-/-/-