Jason slowly eased his bike along the side of the café. It rumbled eagerly, practically begging to streak onto the open road. He mounted the sleek machine, watching the traffic thicken and thin. Carol sat behind him, arms wrapped around his chest. Jason was glad Biz insisted he bring a spare helmet.

Spotting a break between cars, Jason guided the motorcycle onto the street. They made great time, weaving around slower vehicles. Gradually, Carol's arms constricted around Jason. At first, Jason thought she was just nervous about his driving abilities, which he believed were phenomenal. Her trembling proved his theory wrong. He didn't know if she was crying or if the events of the day were finally catching up to her, but he felt alright with being a pillar of strength for her in the moment.

They were silent for the rest of the twenty minute ride.

Thankfully Robinson Park was pretty much empty when they arrived and it looked like the remaining guests were getting ready to head home for the night. Mothers and fathers shepherding their offspring into their vans and SUVs while lingering couples twittered gleefully as they entered their own vehicles.

Jason parked the bike, and before he could announce they had arrived at their destination, Carol had released him and climbed off. She seemed to be doing better.

"So where is this meeting place?" Jason inquired, taking the spare helmet from his companion.

"On the other side of the park," Carol replied, immediately leading the way into the garden.

They trampled through the frosty vegetation almost completely avoiding the pathways. Carol obviously was an expert of the terrain, dodging branches and sticky bushes like it was nothing. Hopefully this wasn't revenge for dragging her through back alleys earlier.

Carol finally stopped in front of a small building. It was covered with dead vines and rust, but it still looked like it was used. Perhaps a maintenance shed?

"Is this it?" Jason scoffed.

"No, it's on the other side," Carol explained softly, walking towards the backside of the hut.

Jason followed her around the side of the brick walls to see a chain link fence. Carol hovered by the gate, fiddling with the lock and chains. Before Jason could offer his help, she body slammed the metal door, and it creaked its protest as it swung open. On the other side of the fence there was a gravel road, for the maintenance staff, Jason assumed.

A car lingered in the shadows, its lights off. The back door suddenly opened, and a woman leapt out from the back seat. Lilac hair curled from under her beret, and she wrapped herself in a black silk coat. Everything about her screamed rich, except her jeans. An attempt to look casual?

"Carol!"

The woman took off in a sprint towards Carol, and Carol immediately raced forward, meeting each other with a tight embrace. Relief swept over Carol's face as they hugged. He'd hate to admit it, but Jason felt better seeing her anxiety melt away.

"Are you alright?" was the first question from the friend when they finally parted. "Did she hurt you? How did you get away? Do you still have your valuables?"

Carol smothered a chuckle.

"Anya, I'm fine," she sighed. "I promise I'll tell you everything later." Her hazel eyes found Jason, and she smiled. "I wouldn't have made it without Jason; he's the real hero."

Instantly the woman was in front of Jason, a gloved hand extended out to him.

"Anastasia Cole," she stated coolly. Judging by her monotone, she must introduce herself on a daily basis. "A pleasure to finally meet you."

Jason awkwardly took her hand and gave it a brief shake.

"Jason," he mumbled.

"I must thank you for getting Carol here in one piece," Anastasia smiled pleasantly. "It must've been quite the feat."

"It was nothing," Jason responded as politely as he coud muster.

Thankfully Carol had joined them, pulling the attention from him. Anastasia twirled to her friend's side like a graceful dancer, taking Carol's hands in hers.

"You're so cold, Cara," she fussed, rubbing Carol's fingers furiously. "Why don't you go wait in the car? I had some hot beverages prepared for you, just in case. I thought it would help you settle down until we get to the apartment."

"You're the best," Carol beamed, and as Anastasia returned to the car, she slowly turned towards Jason. "Thank you, Jason . . . for everything." Her eyes seemed to sparkle in the low light. "You're a good friend."

Jason tried to convince himself that she wasn't that dazzling.

"Keep out of trouble," he commented, giving her shoulder a firm pat.

The smile she gave him was warmer than usual; he could feel it all the way down to his toes. She briskly walked to the vehicle. Anastasia held the door for her, watched her climb in, but didn't join her inside. After closing the door, the heiress strolled back to Jason.

"I just wanted to thank you again for getting Carol here," she said sincerely.

"It was nothing," Jason snorted; how many times was he going to say that line tonight?

"Not for her," Anastasia insisted. "You very well may have saved her life."

Jason arched an eyebrow almost unconsciously.

"Her name is Beatrice, Beatrice Dovaski," she explained curtly. "She goes by Trix as well as many other aliases. Taking advantage of people seems to be her career of choice. Carol dated her for a couple of months, and at first it went well, until it, well, turned abusive."

The professional mask Anastasia was hiding behind started to slip.

"Carol would get bruises for just going out with friends," she started calmly, but her tone began to waver with emotion. "No matter what we tried we couldn't keep that monster away; she always found a way to get back at Carol."

"Look," Jason interrupted. "If you're looking for a bodyguard, that's not what I-"

Anastasia cut him off immediately, "I've hired bodyguards, thugs, hitmen, you name it! I have spared no expense trying to keep Carol safe! What you did today would usually take days for us!"

She sighed heavily, folding her arms over her chest wearily.

"I don't know how much you care about Carol," she stated. "But I have noticed how much she trusts you. If you can do anything to help her, that's all I would ask of you."

"And if I say no?" Jason asked sharply.

"Carol isn't one to hold it against you," Anastasia smirked. "However I will."

Obvious threat is obvious; how did Carol find a friend like this? The business woman's smile twisted in an attempt to be pleasant, but it just looked even more fake.

"I shouldn't keep Carol any longer," she said coolly. "Good evening, Jason. Please be safe on your way home."

The woman seemed to glide back to the car and climbed in. With a flash of the vehicle's lights, it zoomed down the road. Jason waited around for a moment before heading back towards the park. His thoughts swirled with ideas, entertaining the what if's of the future.

Would Carol and her friend really be safe in the Diamond District?

How soon would it be before her assailant found her again?

Jason frowned at the frost lining his boots as he walked through the grass. No, this wasn't his problem. Any sane person would have helped Carol out. She just got lucky that he was there with her.

But what will happen when the eventual confrontation that witch occurs?

Will Carol fight or fall?

Almost on their own, Jason's feet stopped just as he reached the parking lot. Say that he did decide to intervene, where would it end? Associating with him is dangerous on its own, having Carol interacting with him on a personal level would just lead to her inevitable death. Could he live with that, knowing that he saved her from one end only to lead her to another? Could he live with her death on his hands? Could he live without her?

Jason stomped to his bike and mounted it. He sat there for a minute, his mind churning, trying to come up with another plan, any other plan.

"Craaaaaaapsticks," he growled angrily at the sky.

He furiously shoved his helmet on his head and backed his bike up.

"Biz," he said through gritted teeth.

"I'm here," the electronic voice buzzed in his ears.

"Get me everything on Beatrice Dovaski."