Note: So I've done something a bit different with this chapter and added a viewpoint section for Mindy. I hadn't initially planned on doing this, but the way the plot is going and a few other things have made me think it might be needed. Hopefully no one finds it too jarring. as always thanks for reading and please leave reviews!


May 2014 – the Present

To say that I'm confused would be an understatement. It's only been a few weeks since my world got turned inside out, but in some ways it feels like I've been moving through this fog forever. What was he thinking?

I sigh heavily and shake my head. He was thinking about me. Fuck…why did his timing have to be so shitty? Just a fucking year ago and I would have been the happiest girl on the planet. Now? Now I'm with someone I care about, someone who makes me happy, and my damn best friend decides to tell me – to show me – that he's in love with me.

What do you do with that?

If you're me you throw a fit and make everything worse. Now Dave really is going to leave and it's all because I told him to. Well, maybe it's not *all* because of me, but the look on his face when I told him he should go: I thought I was going to die inside. I never wanted to hurt him like that.

But what the fuck was he thinking?! Shit…what am I going to do?

I have to see him. I have to talk to him even if it's the last time. Even though I might just make things worse…I can't just leave things like this. It would hurt Trevor to know I'm going to see Dave, but I have to do it. If he cares about me he'll understand. I mean, he seemed to take it pretty well when I told him about the kiss.

Fuck. That kiss.


I'm immediately on my guard when I get to Dave's house and start up the walk. The door's open. That's not normal.

Is he leaving already? Moving stuff out to the car? No, no sign of that.

"Dave? Mr. L?" No answer from inside or out.

I step to the side and scan the outside of the house. Nothing looks suspicious. Maybe his dad is just doing something.

I walk up to the threshold and that's when I almost lose my shit. I see the shoes first then the body they're attached to. I start to panic and my breathing is coming in quick gasps until I get past the door.

I hate myself for it, but the first emotion I feel well up through my body like a storm is relief. It's not him. It's not Dave.

Fuck. That's when the tears come. It's Mr. Lizewski lying in the middle of a blood soaked carpet.

I run to his side and check his pulse, but there's nothing. His body is cold. He's been like this for a while. I choke out a short sob and then fight back the tears. This isn't the time to lose it. I calm myself and get clinical as much as it tears me up inside.

There's a gunshot wound to the abdomen. Small calibre by the looks of it. No other obvious injuries. Fuck, poor Mr. Lizewshi bled out on his living room floor. Someone is going to die a fucking horrible death, assuming I get to them before Dave. Dave! Where the fuck is he?

I look up to search for another body, for signs of a struggle, anything. That's when I see the message. They definitely wanted me to see it right away.

It's scrawled on the wall in front of me in streaked blood: PAYBACK'S A BITCH. COME FIND HIM

I clench my fists and almost scream. No, this can't be happening! How did this happen? How did they find him? Fuck! Someone is going to die…and it won't be my Dave!


September 2013 – the Past

Dave saw her blonde head walk by in the hall and his heart constricted a little. He wanted to walk over and talk to her so bad, but he knew he shouldn't.

He missed her even though he still saw her every day…after school. They still had their weekly tutoring sessions too and at least one lunch a week just to show everyone they weren't going to stop all contact just because of the rumours.

The rumours that he still heard every day even after the long summer. The sniggers and sly looks. He felt worse for her and part of him just wanted to just leave: drop it all and leave the school so she didn't have to deal with it anymore, but he knew that really wouldn't work and anyway she'd probably just hunt him down and drag him back. The thought made him smile…the first smile he'd had in a while.

That's when the boy walked up to her at her locker and they started to talk. He was vaguely familiar and Dave thought he might have seen him hanging around Katie's little coterie of popular kids back in the day…yeah he was definitely some kind of jock. Dave was surprised when Mindy didn't immediately tell him to get lost. He didn't know she had any friends her own age, certainly not any on the jock squad. She actually smiled at something he was saying before she turned back to her locker after he sauntered off down the hall.

Dave turned away, back to his own locker, and tried to identify the strange feeling he was suddenly feeling in the pit of his stomach. It was uncomfortable, but he shrugged it off. He had been feeling like his stomach was going to crawl out of his body for the past few months anyway: every time he thought about Katie and her spiteful hate campaign against him. Fuck, even Marty and Todd were keeping their distance - without looking like they were keeping their distance - but he could tell. He was anathema, a real leper now. He decided to pick up some more Tums on the way home. It was a patrol night and the last thing he needed was to have his gut nagging at him while he was out on the streets.


"So, making new friends?"

Hit-Girl turned from where she was scanning the streets below to give him a puzzled look. "Huh?"

Kick-Ass shrugged. "I dunno, just saw you at your locker this morning talking to some dude."

A fleeting smile passed over Hit-Girl's lips before she gave him her own shrug. "Oh, that's just Trevor."

"Trevor? From the jock squad? Soccer, isn't it? I didn't know you were hanging with…them."

Hit-Girl rolled her eyes. "Don't worry about it he's not tight with those losers. We're just casual friends. I just met him over the summer and we kinda got to talking."

"You did?" Dave couldn't keep the shock out of his voice.

"Yeah…I'm allowed to talk to people aren't I?"

"Sure. Of course. I just…I dunno, I just thought you didn't have too much time for kids in your class."

Mindy gave him a pointed look before turning back to the street. "Yeah well, I've had a lot of time free up for me at school so I figured I might as well get to know some people. That ok with you?"

"Sure," he said, ignoring the sarcasm dripping off of her final statement. "What's on the program for tonight?"

"Should be easy, just a drug pusher and his crew left dangling from the Morgeti fallout. I also want to check out Crown Heights, there's been increased muggings there recently."

"Sounds good," he said trying to stop wondering about this new friend of hers and how the heck they could have met. Why hadn't she said anything about it before now? How close were they? Why did he care? He decided it wasn't worth worrying about. Not right now anyway, they had more important things to take care of.


May 2014 – the Present

I wake up to searing agony. Even the damaged nerve endings aren't helping much. I think I must have at least two cracked ribs and my knee is flaring in pain where it was bashed in with a nightstick. At least I don't even notice the pain in my wrists and ankles where the shackles have been digging into my flesh anymore.

I grit my teeth and try to clear my mind of the fog of pain but I'm not managing to focus too well. I can hear something at the door though, looks like I woke up just in time for another 'session'. Fuck I'm just lucky as shit these days aren't I?

Right on cue the door opens and Chris saunters in whistling. There are two beefy guys flanking him, but I don't know why he bothers. Even if I could get down off this wall I wouldn't even be able to stand let alone do anything to him. I guess it's just to make a point. He's the big man with the money and the men and I'm just the fucker who killed his dad.

That immediately makes me think of my own dad. He must be dead. I haven't heard anything, but why would Chris keep him alive? Actually I can think of a few reasons why he might and so I actually hope he is gone so he can be spared whatever suffering this shit bag could come up with. The thought of it makes the anger flow through my body again and the pain lessens as I let the rage consume me.

I have no doubt in Chris' twisted little mind of pain and privilege he thinks this is all justified: quid pro quo, but his father was a murdering scum bag who got what he deserved, my dad was just a good man trying to live his life and raise his son alone. My dad didn't deserve this. He didn't deserve a son who got him murdered by a shitty little asshole and the thought fills me with an agony less physical, but no less painful than what I woke up to. I'm just glad I won't have to live with it for long.

"Hey Dave how you feeling? I gotta say you're looking a little worse for wear."

He smirks as he gives me the once over. I can only imagine what I look like. I manage a small smile through bloody teeth. "Sorry about that Chris, the hospitality around here isn't really up to snuff so I haven't been able to keep up appearances."

Chris' grin widens. "Nice. I really admire the bravado. Right up to the end, huh?"

I just glare at him.

"Of course I'll keep you around until your little partner shows up. I definitely don't want you missing out on what I have in store for her."

"Quit fooling yourself Chris. You'll never get your filthy hands on Hit-Girl."

He grimaces. "I *have* been a little stumped by her lack of attendance. I mean she *is* your partner right? I left her a pretty clear message that even a little gash like her should be able to figure out. I mean I'm not the Riddler…I don't want to misdirect her on purpose."

I just glare at him. I have to admit that I actually thought Mindy might show up. I'm glad that she hasn't, I don't want her anywhere near this psycho, but a small selfish part of me worries that maybe she's not here for reasons other than not having seen Chris' message or being unable to find him.

"Actually that reminds me I came up with a little something to pass the time…a kind of homage to 'The Killing Joke' I guess. Enjoy!"

With that he snaps his fingers and an overhead projector I didn't even know was in the room switches on and the wall in front of me is filled with images of my dad bleeding out on the living room floor. For the first few minutes all I can do is stare in horror as picture after picture flashes before me. Some from a distance, some close up; some of the bullet wound, others of the agony on his face. I clench my eyes shut suddenly and grit my teeth as a small whimper escapes me.

"Ah, ah, ah," chides Chris, "none of that now."

My eyes fly open as one of his thugs bashes me on my injured knee and the agony flares through my body.

"You have to watch or you get punished 'Kick-Ass'."

I choke back a sob as I glare at him before wearily looking at the wall in front of me and trying to blur the images until they are as meaningless as my life has become.


February 2014 – the Past

"So what do you think?"

Mindy did a twirl and the skirt of her purple dress flared up around her. Her long blonde hair was draped over her shoulders and she even had make-up on – a rarity for Mindy. To say Dave was dumbfounded would be an understatement. He thought she'd never looked so beautiful; or to be more precise he realized that she'd always been incredibly beautiful and he was just seeing it fully for the first time.

She stopped her twirl and looked at him with concern on her face. "What's wrong? Is it not ok? Too much?"

"What?! No! No, it's…it's beautiful," he managed to stutter out amidst his confusion. "You're beautiful."

Her smile was dazzling and she giggled with pleasure at his compliment. "Sixteen! Can you believe it? I felt like I'd never get here."

"Yup, sweet sixteen. What were you anxious about though? I didn't think you'd be fixating over a birthday." He had a sympathetic smile as he watched her stroll across her bedroom.

Mindy shrugged. "I dunno, normally I don't care about shit like birthdays, but this one's different. Somehow now I feel…I dunno, I feel like I'm not a kid anymore. I'm a woman."

Her words hit him like a truck and all he could do was nod in agreement. She certainly was a young woman now and there was no way he could even pretend that he didn't notice anymore.

"Yeah…so I was wondering…"

She looked up as he trailed off. "Yeah? What's up?"

"After the party…we're still on for a patrol right? I mean, I know it's your birthday and all…"

"Psshhh, are you kidding?! Of course we're going on patrol, that's always the best part of my day! You think I wouldn't include it as part of my celebration?!"

"Just making sure," he answered with a smile. "I kind of…well, I have a surprise for you."

Her eyes lit up. "Oh?! What is it? Have you found a really juicy crime for us to stomp on?"

"Um no, not quite. It's…well, it's a surprise. You're just going to have to wait until tonight."

She smirked as she punched him on the shoulder. "A surprise, huh? Ok, I'll play since it *is* my birthday…but it better be good!"

His smile wavered a bit. "Yeah…I uh…I hope you like it too."


Dave was nervous all through Mindy's birthday party. He barely talked to anyone except for a few words with Marty and didn't even touch the cake. His stomach kept clenching and unclenching in nervousness. He'd never felt this way before, even with Katie. This could be the best night of his life or it could all go horribly wrong and blow up in his face. He had to try though…he couldn't leave things as they were.

He didn't get much time with Mindy. Part of it was not wanting to undo their "just friends" vibe in front of other people from school, but it didn't help that that douchebag Tyler wouldn't leave her side all night. He'd been horning in more and more on her time lately, but Dave had let it go with only a few snide comments. He'd always said she should have more friends her own age so how could he really complain? He had just thought they would be girls.

Still…he was pretty chummy for a casual friend and if Dave didn't know any better he'd have thought something was going on there. Well, the little putz would just have to back off. Dave just needed to bide his time for the rest of the party and then he'd have her undivided attention out on patrol.

Finally the party was over and Dave surreptitiously left with Marty after wishing Mindy a final happy birthday and giving her a quick wink. He made excuses to Marty and then headed for the safe house to get ready for patrol.

Dave had his suit on and was holding his mask when Mindy burst into the safe house, still wearing her dress and twirling to unheard music.

"Wasn't it a great party Dave? Did you have fun?"

"Yeah sure, it was great. I guess I don't need to ask if *you* had fun."

She grinned at him. "I guess you don't…it was awesome!" She sighed and then headed for the change room to put on her uniform. "I'll be out in a sec," she called. After a second her head popped out from behind the wall. "And I haven't forgotten about your surprise you know!"

She grinned evilly as she popped back behind the wall and Dave smiled at the same time that his pulse quickened. "Yup, I know…don't worry!"

A few minutes later she came out from the change room in her Hit-Girl costume. He'd seen her in it hundreds, if not thousands, of times before, but somehow tonight it looked different. It was just as dangerous, just as inspiring, but it was beautiful too. It was perhaps the truest expression of her that any external veneer could give and that made it special. It was something just between them, something only he got to see and know it was part of Mindy. Only Dave got to see her as she really was.

"What are you looking at?" she asked after the awkward pause that followed her arrival in the room.

"Um, shit, nothing…sorry. You ready to go?"

She gave him a puzzled look then shrugged and nodded. "Let's rock!"

They hit the city with more energy and excitement than either of them had felt for a while. Mindy was still riding the high of her milestone birthday party and Dave was cruising on adrenaline fueled by nervousness. They took out three separate muggings before Dave finally worked up the nerve to steer them to his final destination.

He had managed to make it seem like a natural progression of their patrol so he didn't think Mindy was suspecting anything, though he could tell she was starting to get curious about his surprise.

The rooftop they came to was one that had been part of the very first patrol they had ever done together, though he wasn't sure if Mindy would remember that. It had a startling view of Manhattan and the lights spread out across the city twinkled like so many stars.

Once Dave stopped Mindy turned to look at him. "What's up? Aren't we going to keep on with the patrol? We don't need to stop already, the night is still young!"

"Yeah I know, um…I just wanted to show you something."

"Oh, ok."

Dave started walking to where a low wall blocked the view of the far side of the rooftop when Mindy called out to him.

"Hey wait, before you do that I wanted to talk to you about something."

"Um, yeah?" he asked turning around, surprised to see that she was apparently nervous.

"What's up?" he asked, immediately concerned.

"Oh, nothing's wrong," she replied, catching on to his tone, "I just have some news."

"Oh, ok. What news?"

"Well…gee this is awkward. I don't know why, it just feels weird talking to you about shit like this."

"Shit like what?"

Mindy heaved a heavy sigh and then plunged onward. "Well, I guess you saw how much I was hanging out with Trevor tonight, right?"

"Um, yeah…I kinda did," replied Dave with a sinking feeling in his stomach. His mind frantically kicked his worries to the side. This wouldn't happen. Not tonight. Not now.

"Yeah sorry about that. I wanted to spend more time with you…I mean you're my best friend! I just thought you'd want to keep up the pretence in front of all those people from school."

Dave heaved a mental sigh of relief. Maybe this was going to be ok after all. "Yeah, no problem Min, I totally understand," he said as he turned back to continue walking towards his destination.

"And, um…Trevor and I are kind of dating!" she cried out in a jumble, as if anxious to get it all out now in one go.

Dave stopped dead and it felt like his heart had stopped beating for a minute.

"Dave?"

He shook himself free of the momentary stupor and pasted a fake smile on his face as he turned around. "You…um, you're dating Trevor? Wow."

"Yeah," she said with a slight giggle. "I know right? Who'd have ever thought Hit-Girl would end up with a boyfriend…and one so hot too!"

"B-boyfriend?!" stammered Dave. "Oh. So this, um, this is serious?"

Mindy shrugged. "Yeah I guess it is. I mean we've only been 'dating' for a few weeks, but we've been hanging out for a few months now so it feels like we've known each other forever! It's almost like with you and me!"

Dave swallowed. "Almost…almost like you and me. Wow. Um, a few weeks? How come you didn't tell me about this?"

Mindy had the grace to look abashed. "I know, I really should have. I just felt weird you know? After all that crap with Katie and then this last year being so…difficult. I guess I just didn't know how to tell you. You ok?" she said apparently finally registering the shocked look on his face.

He shook his head. "No, yeah, great. Um, well congratulations I guess."

She smiled. "Thanks Dave. I knew I could always count on your support. You're my best friend you know."

He smiled weakly. "Yeah…you too Mindy. You too."

"So," she asked, looking around the rooftop, "what's up? Why are we here anyway? You mentioned you wanted to show me something?"

"Oh! Right. That. Um, no I got all turned around. I think it was over somewhere else. Huh, sorry about that."

She looked at him oddly, but then shrugged. "O-kay…where to next?"

"Um, your call birthday girl. I think we should do whatever you want…whatever makes you happy."

She grinned. "That's what I like to hear! C'mon then I got some intel on a sweet illegal import ring that has loose ties to the D'Amico family and I definitely want to fuck them up! Oh…and what was the surprise?"

"Oh that. You know what? I think I want to give it to you later…is that ok?"

Her grin was smug. "Sure thing Dave…I can always give you some extra time to get what you need."

"Yeah thanks," he said as he steered her away from the direction of the low wall. As they continued on their patrol he made a mental note to come back and remove the evidence. It looked like there was no more need for a fully laid out table with candlelight and chilled champagne that sat on a terrace overlooking the twinkling city lights anymore…or the single red rose that lay on one of the plates.