Steve was waiting anxiously at the end of their garden for her when she got outside. He looked up at her and smiled another anxious smile, something, he couldn't explain what, but something was putting him on edge.

'What took you so long?' he asked as she got to him and they set off down the street, Winchester trotting along besides her, wagging his tail and panting happily. She was holding the end of his lead in her left hand, and was also holding it further down in her right, keeping him close to her, his head just above her hip.

'Lorraine caught me on the way out, she knew you were here' she said, not looking at him but looking ahead.

Steve gasped 'What did she say?' he asked anxiously.

She shook her head 'Nothing, asked who I was speaking to earlier, Lorraine's cool, she won't tell my folks' assured him.

'You're sure?' he asked.

She looked across at him with an expression on her face that said dare-you-doubt-me? 'Of course I am, she's my big sister, and she's the only person that place who even likes me' she spat with a bitter laugh.

Steve's insides squirmed and not in the same way they had when he was kissing her. This time they squirmed in an uncomfortable way and he considered for a moment whether he should ask about her home life or not. He wanted to, he'd wanted to ask her for a while, but he didn't exactly think it was a good idea. She didn't ever seem to want to talk about it, and from what he heard inside their house, he started to understand why. But the way she had got up and skipped out so quickly had confused him. But he wanted to be there for her, he wanted to her know that he cared for her, that he cared so much, more than he could put into words. He wanted to make sure she knew he was there, that she could tell him anything in confidence, and that whatever was scaring her, and what ever had given her that black eye, he would keep her safe from it, from anything. He made his mind up and opened his mouth to speak, but she beat him to it.

'Steve, did we kiss back there?' she asked, suddenly, coming to a stop and holding her hands up in front of her, Winchester stopping too. Her eyebrows were furrowed and she looked confused, as if she were wondering whether she had imagined it or not.

'Uh, yeah we did, twice' he said, nodding.

She nodded and turned back around and started to walk again mumbling to herself 'right, right, I thought we did' Steve followed.

His stomach was in a nervous knot 'is that a err, problem?' he asked.

She span around instantly and grabbed his arm 'Oh no, no Steve I didn't mean it like that all. This has just been a really long, strange week for me' she said, her eyes pleading with him to understand. His heart gave a jolt when he saw the look on her face, reaching out to him, needing him.

'I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked that' he said, feeling ashamed of himself. She smiled and assured him it was fine, sliding her hand down his arm and into his, her fingers cold again, he squeezed them and attempted to warm her hand.

'You forgot your gloves' he teased.

She laughed lightly 'Yeah, they're in my bag, sorry' she said, giving him a grin.

He shook his head 'Don't worry about it'

When they arrived at the park a few minutes later, she let Winchester off his lead and pulled a small red ball out of the pocket of her body warmer and through it out into the darkness, the dog barked loudly and bounded off after it, wagging his tail madly. He was a lot better behaved than Steve expected for a dog of his size, he expected him to drag them both around and cause all sorts of trouble, but he was incredibly obedient and followed Apollo's every command, behaving perfectly. She never had to tell him once.

Watching him running across the field, the two teens walked over to the swing set and took seats beside each other.

'So' Steve said, watching her swing back and forth gently, her feet just brushing the floor 'you gonna tell me who gave you that black eye?' he asked.

She smiled a tired smile and shook her head, throwing the ball that Winchester had just brought back; he ran out after it again 'I told you I can't'

'Why not?' he asked, getting wound up again 'I wanna know who did it Apollo'

She sighed deeply 'Steve, I really can't, it'll just mean more trouble for me' she explained wearily.

'I won't let anything hurt you, just tell me who did it, please' he pleaded with her.

She shook her head and threw the ball again 'You don't understand, this is complicated'

'Then help me understand' he said, pleading with her again. He got to his feet and knelt in front of her, holding her arms just above her elbow and giving her a little shake. He could tell something was seriously up and just wanted to help, but there was only so much he could do unless she let him.

'I want to help Polo, that's all, I just wanna help' he whispered.

A tear rolled down her cheek and she quickly wiped it away, looking down at her lap, determined to avoid his gaze. She opened her mouth and in a barely audible whisper said; 'it was my dad'

Steve felt a hot wave of rage surge through him, and it was all he could to do keep himself from exploding, running back to her house and beating the shit out of her pathetic excuse of a father 'Why?' he asked, voice quivering with anger.

'I gave him cheek!' she laughed bitterly, running her fingers through the pony tail hung over her shoulder 'I talked back to him, and I got this' she said, lip trembling and pointing to her eye 'I learned my lesson'

'He can't do that! I'll kill him!' he burst out, his rage threatening to tip over the edge.

She looked up at him, her eyes serious and threatening 'No Steve, you can't even talk about this to anyone, let alone my parents, I'd never forgive you' she said, her voice low, dangerous. Her words hit him hard and he clenched his jaw, realising he'd been beaten 'anyway, don't worry, Winchester bit him' she said, smiling at the dog who was sitting ten feet away with his ball clasped between his teeth.

'You can't go home' he said simply.

She shook her head and laughed sarcastically 'Yeah, cause that's gonna help the situation, me not coming home' she stood up and called Winchester over, reattaching his lead as Steve stood up too.

'I have to go' she said, still attaching his lead.

'Now?'

'Yes now' she said straightening herself up.

'Well, are you gonna be okay?' he asked. He really didn't think he should let her go home, and he wanted to stay with her, that way he'd know she was safe, but he knew how strong minded and stubborn she was, she'd never go with him, or let him stay with her.

'I'll be fine' she smiled, walking out of the park with him 'Winchester's with me all the time, nothing to worry about' she said confidently.

'Well alright, but I really don't like this' he said, making sure she knew how he felt. She stopped and turned to face him.

'I know, but I'll be fine, I promise'

He nodded solemnly 'Alright, I suppose' and she smiled. And this time it was her who leant in, and pressed their mouths together. Steve moved quickly and grabbed her by the waist, pulling her against his chest and holding her there, kissing her hard. At first it was chaste, simple, but soon it became deeper and mouths moved and lips danced with a simple fluidity, mouths opening but no tongue daring to take the next step.

They broke apart, both smiling sheepishly, foreheads pressed together. Eventually, and despite every atom of her body telling her not to, she pulled away.

'I really gotta go' she whispered, he nodded sadly 'Will you call me tomorrow night?'

'Of course I will' he promised.

'Alright, well I'll speak to you tomorrow'

He nodded again and stroked Winchester one last time ' 'Kay, goodnight Polo'

'Goodnight' she whispered, then turned and left for home.