Hello all my many many readers! lol here is another chapter for you! PLEASE REVIEW! I feel lonely without a little bit of encouragement :)

John's words still echoed in his head. Watch her closely; her arm may prove a problem. She is not to interfere, only observe.

Behind the mask, Mark could watch her without her noticing his gaze. The bandaged arm was well concealed within her coat, and she had stood back within the shadows of the alleyway. He pulled his gaze away reluctantly; she was a tough girl, she could handle herself. He had no reason to feel this way.

Mark circled behind the car, using the blind spots in the mirrors to sneak up to the boot. He could hear the man speaking to someone, then his door opened and slammed shut. He listened intently as the man circled to the bonnet.

"What are you talking about sweetheart? You know you are my whole word... of course I love you... I don't want you listening to these rumours anymore, okay? ... alright, I'll be home soon..."

During this, Mark had circled round the right hand side, where River could see. The man shut off the phone and laughed under his breath. "Stupid Bitch." He said before turning back to get in the car.

That's when he sprang.

Rushing up behind the man, he attempted to get a hold of his throat. But the man had heard his footsteps on the gravel and had swivelled just in time to knock the guy away. The man leapt at him, punching him hard in the nose, and causing Mark to fall heavily onto the bonnet.

The man pinned Mark to the car, one throat around his neck. Holy crap. Mark struggled to get the man off, throat burning under the pressure, when something slammed into the man, knocking him to one side. Mark blinked through teary eyes, coughing uncontrollably, watching as the black blur that sped towards the man on the floor.

River! Mark snapped to and went for the man once more. The man was quick to recover though, tripping River and slamming another knock-out blow into the side of Mark's head. His mind reeled as he crashed to the floor. River, rolling as she hit the ground, pulled out her needle at managed to plunge it into the man's side. But he wasn't out for the count.

He bucked his head backwards, causing River to pull back. He turned, grabbed hold of both arms, and slammed her onto the car bonnet. River screamed at the pressure on her right arm. Mark's heart stopped at the sound.

Suddenly he was up and hauling the man off of her struggling form, both hands wrapped in a crushing hold round his waist. The man struggled, kicking and bucking, but Mark wouldn't let up.

Eventually the drug took hold and the man fell limp in his arms. Mark dropped him to the ground and checked his breathing. He'd live. He tore off the pig mask and was at River's side in seconds. She was pitched over her arm in silent agony. He pulled the mask away, her bloodshot eyes and broken nose stopping him.

She stared at the man, the shock still fresh in her eyes. He looked from the man to River. He motioned for her to stay where she was, which she barely acknowledged, then ran back for the car.

She was still leaning heavily against the car when he returned. He chucked the limp form in the trunk and went back to her side. Gently he guided her to the passenger seat. This wasn't supposed to happen. He was worried now. She needed to go to the hospital, but he couldn't take her there now. She saw his look and nodded. She understood.

He started the car, his mind only temporarily occupied by the drive to another warehouse. When he stopped once more, he first dumped the limp body at the site, making sure the game was set up correctly like John had instructed him, then drove back to the mill.

All the while, River was silent. She stared out the front window, only barely acknowledging his movements with a flinch when he opened and closed his door.

He was distraught. She wasn't supposed to get hurt. Watch her closely, John had said. She wasn't even supposed to get involved. But she had and now her blank expression haunted his thoughts. All he wanted was to make her alright. The small voice in the back of his mind that questioned his feelings was ignored, his worry overcoming everything else.

It took nearly forty minutes to get back to the mill. It was agonising to watch River get even paler (if that was possible). He couldn't stop yelling at john in his head. Why did he send her out in that condition? He should have known better! A deep breath from the passenger seat drew his attention, but she had only fallen asleep. Good. At least she wouldn't feel any pain in that state.

Her snow white hair caught the lights; one small braid lightly lay across her shoulder. A sweat had broken on her brow, and the contours of her face gave away a slightly pained expression each timed she breathed in. Her breathing was regular now, the peaceful rhythm of a light sleep. He pulled a tissue from his pocket and wiped the sweat away. She twitched slightly, but didn't wake. He was glad of that, not knowing what to say if she woke.

Even though the silence crept over him like a silent assassin, he preferred it to the emptiness; shocked blank eyes he knew would be there when she awoke.

He parked the car close to the mill, hidden in a small garage space, then got out. He pulled out his phone and punched in John's number. He answered immediately.

"Is the game set?" he asked, not waiting for pleasantries.

"Yes. But River is hurt, she needs the doc." He said, keeping his voice as neutral as possible. John gave nothing away if he did hear anything else.

"He is here already. Bring her in." With that the call ended. He stuffed it back into his inner pocket and went around to help her out. He opened the door and after waiting a moment to see if she woke, he shook her gently. But she didn't wake. The pained expression had returned, and she moaned slightly at his shaking.

He sighed, cursing inwardly. She was in bad shape. He undid her seatbelt and lifted her out, closing the door quietly behind him. Her warm breath touched his neck, making him shiver slightly. How could she do this to him? He didn't understand her effect on him. He stood for a moment, looking down at the fragile creature in his arms.

Move, said the voice in his head. He shook his head and carried her down the winding corridors to the workshop.

The good doctor was waiting, bed set up to receive his patient. Mark laid her down and stepped back, watching with an indifferent expression as the doctor examined her. He winced slightly as the doctor unwrapped her arm to reveal the bloody, swollen mess beneath. He turned away and went to stare blankly at the monitors showing the bastard that had done that to her.

John watched the doctor, receiving good news, he approached Mark's tense figure.

"She will be fine. Her arm needs time to heal." When Mark stayed silent, he continued undeterred. "Now you are wondering how foolish I could be in letting her come out with you tonight. – Mark looked down at his feet – I am not the fool you believe me to be, Detective. I know you have feelings for the girl..." at this Mark shot to his feet.

"What are you talking about? I am mad because you allowed her to go out on such a dangerous task, even though she was injured John!" But he knew his reaction betrayed him. John pierced his mind like a knife through butter, but he would never boast about it.

"That is why I sent her." Mark looked at him, struck between anger and confusion. "You would never have admitted it. Not to me, and not to her. But this has showed you. I said there were to be no emotions involved, but this is only relevant in our work." He left it at that, and went to talk to the doctor, who had finished with her and was washing his hands. Mark was rooted to the spot.

I have feelings for her. This revelation was like a thunder strike. But that still didn't change anything. He was still the man who had attacked and kidnapped her. The 'detective' which she despised; he could hear it whenever she spoke that title.

He walked down and the doctor told him to take her home. "She needs rest, and no disturbances tomorrow. You will have to make sure nobody disturbs her tomorrow either." Mark gave him a pained expression at the thought of staying in her flat all day; but just nodded. The doctor collected his coat and left, a single nod towards John marking his goodbyes.

Alone in her apartment. What would she say when she woke?

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