Author's Note: Hello! Second story for the 5D's fandom! Personally, I'm shocked that there aren't more stories about the series; I think it's great. Also, I gave Trudge a non-Japanese name, so heads up for that. Please review!
Much love, Princess Kanako x

Title: A Splash of Colour

Author: Princess Kanako

Pairing(s): Trudge/OC

Date Edited: 26/12/14

Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's or any of its affiliates; they belong to Kazuki Takahashi

Claimer: I do own Scarlett, a few plot ideas, and any OCs that pop up along the way.

Genre: Drama, Romance, Suspense, Humour.

Summary: Officer Trudge's life was grey, bleak and meaningless. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw it. Something bright. Something warm. Something he'd almost forgotten about. A splash of colour. (Previously known as To Trudge Towards The Light)

"You were saying that you would find a friend to stay with until I know why those two were trying to break into this house," Trudge answered. He refused to think about the feelings that had been running through him given the brief physical encounter of a moment ago.

"That isn't an option, Chris," Scarlett answered him, waving her hand toward the other room where four pairs of eyes watched the drama unfolding in the kitchen. "I have Rosie and Vi to think about, as well as Cosmos and Iris. That's four big dogs. I can't very well sneak them into a hotel room. And-" she felt her cheeks colour as she admitted, "You being the exception, I haven't exactly got any friends in Domino that I can simply ask to move in with. Not that I'm asking YOU that either," she hastened to add as she saw his eyes narrow.

"I'm trying to keep you safe, Scarlett," Trudge repeated, not willing to even think about his feelings regarding her and her four-legged chaperones coming to stay with him.

"You remind me of a dog with a bone, Chris." Her glance took in the clock on the wall just above his right shoulder. "Oh, boggart! Look at the time! I told Granny I would meet her for lunch, or Sunday dinner, or whatever they call that when they serve a huge meal at 1:00. I've got to get changed, Chris. If you don't mind waiting, I'll drop you off on my way to see her."

Scarlett didn't wait for an answer from the Captain. The dogs parted silently to let her through, then turned their gaze once again on the man still standing in the kitchen. Trudge stared after her for several minutes. She was in danger, he felt it with every fibre of his being. While the two intruders were a good place to start, he sensed that their interest went deeper than breaking into a house for a dog. Turning his back on the four pairs of eyes still watching him, Trudge pulled out his phone and walked toward the patio doors. The plate number was a start.

Scarlett looked at her Mini, then at the tall man standing on the other side of it.

"Are you SURE you don't mind riding in this car? There's more leg-room in Granny's van."

"It's fine," Trudge replied, reaching for the door handle. "It's not that far."

"Okay, but don't say I didn't warn you."

Scarlett shook her head, then opened her own door and slid inside. Slipping off one of the many velvet scrunchies wrapped around the emergency brake, she wound it into her hair and slipped on her own sunglasses. She was very aware of the man beside her in the closeness of the interior of the small car. Turning the key, the engine revved to life, as did the speakers, blaring Coldplay at an unhealthy volume. As Scarlett reached over to turn it down, she felt his eyes on her.

"Sorry. You'll have to be co-pilot once I get on to the main road. I'm terrible with directions. Just give me a few seconds warning if I need to turn right or left."

If he answered her, it was lost in the wind as Scarlett sped past a city bus.

"Granny, do you have any idea what those guys might be after?" Scarlett picked up a strawberry and nibbled it thoughtfully. "You never mentioned any problems to me before I came to Domino."

"Other than Rosie, no. I've never had trouble before. Of course, the neighbourhood's not what it used to be when you kids would come to visit for the summer."

"I know, Granny." Scarlett reached for her iced tea. "And that reminds me of a more pleasant subject. I gave the kitchen a thorough cleaning and I was thinking how nice it would look with a fresh coat of paint. Any objections?"

"No, dear. That sounds nice. I might be finding myself staring at those walls quite a bit if my knee doesn't heal and my eyes keep getting worse."

"I've gotten the 'okay' from your doctor to take you to the ophthalmologist on Wednesday. We'll find out how your eyes are doing and get some treatment options, alright? It will be a good chance to see how tired you get and how your knee does having to use it on the outside."

"There was an article in the paper a while back about copper being stolen from abandoned houses," Granny remarked, pushing her mashed potatoes around her plate. "Maybe that's what they're after? What I wouldn't give for one of your potato dumplings, honey."

"I remember hearing about that too. But your house is hardly abandoned. I still can't wrap my head around the fact that those guys considered breaking into a house with two big German Shepherds in it. Hmm, and I think I'll be making dumplings this week."

"Don't make them for my sake, sweetie. The food here isn't too bad." She spooned up some pale applesauce. Scarlett made a face, and was rewarded with a small smile from her dining companion.

"Not to worry Granny. I don't mind. I'll make a big pot and we'll freeze some for when you're home," Scarlett grinned, and tipped her glass up to get the last of the ice out.

And maybe the Captain will have potato dumplings one night as well.

Trudge had showered and dressed for the office. He wasn't scheduled today, but he usually spent his Sunday's catching up on paperwork and administrative tasks. Today he was going in, but it was to do a little research before going back to Scarlett's later this afternoon. At the very least, she needed to understand that this wasn't some little neighbourhood nuisance type problem. At the most, she would agree to move out until he knew what was going on with her grandmother's house and neighbourhood. He was gathering up his keys when his phone buzzed.

"Trudge," it was the calm voice of Yuesi, "What are you doing this afternoon? The guys and I are having a barbecue. I thought you might like to stop by."

"Thanks Yusei, but I have plans this afternoon. Another time?" There was a brief pause. Trudge knew Yuesi was looking away from the phone, taking a breath before he answered him.

"Of course, Trudge."

"Scarlett, I don't think this is a case of a dispute among neighbours." Trudge leaned against the wall in the kitchen, watching her assemble their dinner - homemade pizza's that were headed for a little time on the grill outside. "I don't want to scare you, but they are involved with a gang that makes and sells drugs. There is probably a whole arsenal in that house as well."

Still refusing to look at him, Scarlett looked critically at her pizzas. Wiping her hands in the apron tied around her waist, she looked at him, her eyes flashing.

"I don't doubt your intelligence, Chris, but I still say they aren't very bright, considering the two hounds in here could have ripped them apart as soon as they stepped foot inside."

Scarlett crossed her fingers behind her back. Cosmos and Iris were all bark and very little bite, but he didn't know that. More likely they would have cornered the intruders and held their ground snarling and barking until she got home.

"Would you take a look at the temperature in the Green Egg out there for me?" she asked him sweetly, refusing to giving him the answer he wanted.

"It's not that easy you know," Scarlett leaned against the railing of the deck, swirling the iced tea in her glass. "I have Granny to think of. This is her house. I think what keeps her going is knowing that she can come home to this house when her knee is strong enough. It would kill her if she had to go somewhere like a senior living centre or apartment. She would have to give up fostering rescue dogs. I promised her I would take care of her house while she was getting stronger. I don't go back on my word." Scarlett met his sober eyes, wondering if she had finally gotten through. "You'll have to think of another solution." She felt his eyes on her as she opened the heavy ceramic lid to check on the pizza.

"Who takes care of you?" he asked softly. The question was out before he could stop it. Scarlett almost dropped the lid.

"I take care of myself. I always have." She searched around the tables and chairs scattered about on the deck for her pan and tongs. "When I was eight, I was taking care of my brother and sister."

Scarlett glanced at the man who stood silently beside her, the pan in one hand, an oven mitt lying on top of it. Tucking her hair behind her ear, she went on hurriedly, as if she had told this story too many times.

"My mother passed away when I was seven, and it hit my Dad pretty hard. I took care of him and my brother and sister then. Dad disappeared when I was seventeen, he was never quite the same after Mum was gone. I kept my siblings with me so they could finish school while I worked and went to college. After Andrew went to Paris on a scholarship and Anya was married and had her twins, I took care of them during the day while she and her husband worked. I worked the night shift. Now I'm taking care of Anya."

Scarlett pulled on the oven mitt as best she could with one hand.

"You didn't answer my question," Trudge said softly, reaching to help her pull on the oven mitt.

"I … guess no one has, not for a long time. I'm not sure I'd know how to act."

Scarlett's eyes met his curious gaze and slid away.

"You're a beautiful woman, Scarlett." Trudge's voice was warm, like melting chocolate, Scarlett thought, the pizza momentarily forgotten. "Hasn't a man wanted to take care of you?"

The question caught her by surprise.

"I was almost engaged, once." the words were out and Scarlett wished she could take them back.

"What happened?"

He tilted his head to one side as he watched her. Summoning her best it-was-a-long-time-ago smile, Scarlett answered with a lightness she was far from feeling.

"I guess we drifted apart. It's no big deal, Trudge. By the time we realised it was over, my sister's twins were here and I was sitting for her and working, and finishing my degree. I never realised where the time was going. And our dinner is going to go to the dogs if I don't get it off this Egg right now. Hold the pan for me?"

Trudge took the pan from her silently. He watched as she manoeuvred the pizza off the deep grill, her answers to his impetuous questions replacing the problem of the drug dealers down the block for the moment.

"The kitchen does look much better, now that it's had a good cleaning, but I'd really like to get a fresh coat of paint in here for Granny." Scarlett reached for another piece of the pizza, loaded with freshly diced tomatoes, slices of fresh mozzarella and basil from the nearby herb garden.

"I'm surprised you haven't already done it." Trudge's smile was genuine and she found herself glowing inside. "You seem to be the type of person that sees something that needs to be done and does it." He picked up his iced tea, watching the woman across from him lick the home-made marinara sauce from her fingers.

"Well, you're right about that. However, I've been told by several people that my personality does not lend itself well to painting a room. Apparently," she slipped the crispy crust to a waiting Violet lying patiently at her feet, "I make a mess and I'm not very careful, or something to that effect." Shrugging her shoulders, Scarlett reached for the pitcher of iced tea. Trudge raised his eyebrows in disbelief.

"I know, hard to believe," Scarlett laughed, gesturing to her companions' glass. In answer, he nodded, moving his glass towards her. The musical sound of ice cubes clinking together against glass sounded at the table while she poured.

"Do you know when your Grandmother will be coming home from the rehabilitation facility?" Trudge asked, choosing another slice of the delicious pizza. An idea was beginning to take shape in his mind that might solve the problem of Scarlett's safety.

To be continued...