The following morning
Thursday
Safehouse C

A new dawn.

A new dawn for Mindy Macready.

A new dawn for Hit Girl.

I was determined, that I would not cause any more problems, like those a few days ago, ever again.

I was a changed girl. Yes, I had had a problem with the separation and changes in my life. Dave successfully defeating me didn't help, either!

Hell, I've done more in my sixteen years, than most adults have done in their entire lives. The odd freak out must be expected!

As usual, it just needed Dave to rescue me, again. I needed Dave to treat me like a sixteen year-old girl and read me the riot act. I was ashamed and humiliated, but it had an effect. It hit me deeply. I am Hit Girl. I am not going to let down the memory of my Daddy, by turning into a stupid little girl, with mental problems.

As I got up this Thanksgiving, I really was thankful for a hell of a lot.

Mindy seemed to be skipping about the safehouse, as she got her breakfast.

She seems a completely different girl, to that which I found in Chicago. Initially I felt sorry for yelling at her, but I am not, I am glad I did it. She needed it and it seems to have worked, her lovely, infectious, smile is back. Her eyes have that happy sparkle, that I love. I missed the 'little miss attitude' that Mindy used to show when she was eleven. I think it may be back.

She's the girl that kissed me, all those weeks ago, before leaving New York, on the Ducati.

I stood out of Mindy's way, as she grabbed her cereal and sat at the table.

"Morning, Dave," Mindy said cheerfully.

"Morning, Mindy," I replied, as I went to the kitchen to grab a coffee. "Don't forget. We leave in an hour for Marcus'," I said, over my shoulder.

"I've not forgotten, ass."

I smiled at that.

Later that morning
Marcus' House

"Happy Thanksgiving, Marcus," I said giving him a kiss.

"To you, too, Mindy. It's wonderful to have you back in this house, as Mindy," Marcus replied.

I blushed.

"She still grounded?" Marcus asked as he went back into the kitchen.

"Oh, yeah. No Hit Girl, no guns or knives and definitely no swords," Dave said, happily.

Too fucking happily! I can't believe he won't let me even hold my own fucking swords! Like I've said before, Dave knows which buttons to press.

"Yeah. That was really low, even for you, Dave," I growled.

"Lessons must be learnt, my girl," Marcus said smiling broadly. "You learning the lesson?"

"Yes!" I said, dejectedly.

"She looks so cute when she pouts," Dave said with a smirk.

"I do not... Pout... Anyway guys, stop sassing the teenager. Remember, she can kill a man with his own finger!" I challenged.

"I've seen her do it, too!" Dave said smirking.

"Too much information, Dave," Marcus responded, smiling.

We all laughed at Marcus' discomfort.

Marcus was a good cook. He had prepared an enormous turkey, with all the trimmings. It really smelt good. The pies and stuffing looked very good.

About twenty minutes later we sat down at the table. I was starving.

Mindy was looking really happy, I was glad to see. So was Marcus, I think he was loving every minute Mindy was back in the house.

Once we had gotten our plates piled high with food, Marcus stood up and raised his glass.

"Happy Thanksgiving. I really am glad we can be together, on this day. I am truly thankful that my prayers were answered and Mindy was returned safely to New York. I am also thankful for Dave Lizewski. Without Dave in Mindy's life, I just can't contemplate, what may have happened. Now, I don't know all the things you have both been getting up to, since Mindy was eleven, and I don't want to know, but I am certain that without each other, you both, most probably, would not be here today," Marcus said with a smile and a little sadness in his eyes and raised his glass to Dave.

I stood up and turned to Mindy. "I am truly thankful that I have Mindy in my life. Without her I definitely would not be here." Mindy blushed. "I wouldn't be the man I am today, without her considerable skills and help. I am also thankful to Damon and you, Marcus, for bringing this lovely girl, into the world and making her what she is today - a strong, independent, caring, young woman. I'm also thankful that I won't have to put up with a hormonal teenager for ever," I said raising my glass to Marcus and Mindy. Mindy blushed even deeper.

A blushing Mindy stood up and turned to Marcus. "I am truly thankful that I have had you in my life, Marcus. Both before I knew my Daddy and after he died. I never made things easy for you. But I know you loved me and did everything you could for me," Mindy turned to me, there was a fire in her eyes. "I am also thankful, that I have Dave Lizewski in my life. Since Daddy died, he has been there, whenever I have needed help. He was there to help me finish my Daddy's work. He brought me back to New York. He stood by me when I had a few... Issues. Thank you Marcus. Thank you Dave," Mindy said. A small tear running down her cheek, as she raised a glass to Marcus and me.

"A few issues, eh? OK. Enough sentimental nonsense. Let's eat!" Ordered Marcus. We all dived in.

"Don't worry Dave, once the hormones have settled down, there will be probably be something else, there always is with women. Then it's PMT!" Marcus joked.

Mindy's eyes narrowed as she glared at Marcus.

We were well and truly stuffed. I felt very fat. I would need to do a lot of exercise to work this food off or I would need a bigger combat suit! We all lounged in front of the TV and watched a movie. Or tried too, but we all kept dozing off. I was cuddled up with Dave. Marcus was snoring in his easy chair. Dave kept dropping off to sleep and jerking awake. Not very comfortable for me. We had all had alcohol, although Marcus only allowed me one smallish glass.

Marcus said we could both sleep here tonight. It was very cold and dark out and he didn't want us trying to get back to the safehouse tonight.

It had to happen eventually.

I am in two minds about it, though. I'm happy Mindy is not alone, Dave seems to be a stabilising influence on her. However, she is still only sixteen.

Are they 'at it'? Probably. Is it more than just kissing and petting? Probably. Was Mindy the instigator? Probably.

Nothing I can do about it anyway. As long as Mindy is happy, I am happy I respect Dave, he seems to have figured Mindy out, a lot better than I ever did. I suppose the difference is that Dave accepts Mindy for who she really is - Hit Girl. I never did. I still don't, at least I don't want to. However, if I want Mindy in my life, then I am going to have to accept her as Hit Girl, despite my better judgement. I can't go through losing her, again. Yes, I have been helping with Police gang-related intelligence, but maybe I need to do more.

I look at them both cuddled up on the couch and feel, I don't know, I'm happy, I think. Pleased they are together. Just so long as they keep things private. Mindy is still sixteen and public displays of affection may be misinterpreted by some.

With Dave, Mindy may just have a chance at an, almost, normal life. Without Dave...

The following morning
Friday

I woke up with a headache. A hangover? From one smallish glass of wine! Talk about a lightweight. Fuck.

"Wakey! Wakey! Breakfast!" Marcus shouted.

"Not so loud!" I grimaced back.

"You said you wanted the same size glass as Marcus and I, didn't you?" Dave said laughing. "Lucky you only had the tiny glass!"

"Cunt!"

"Dollar, jar!" Marcus said, sternly.

"OK. OK. Another lesson learned. Avoid alcohol. At least until I'm twenty-one," I said, as a I headed to the table for breakfast, via that damn jar.

Dave really looked too happy this morning. I glared at him. It had no effect on him. Damn.

Marcus placed a plate of pancakes, bacon and eggs in front of me. I grimaced, but decided that I needed to eat.

Dave got a similar plate and then Marcus sat down with the same.

"I'm feeling good this morning. How about you, Dave?" Marcus bellowed.

"Really good, Marcus, thanks for asking." Dave replied, loudly with a smirk in my direction.

Bastards!

After breakfast, Mindy and I took showers, separately as we were at Marcus' house. Mindy was annoyed with that.

Once we were cleaned up and Mindy's hangover was reduced, we thanked Marcus and took a cab back towards the safe-house.