What a big heart I have

The better to love you with.

Little Red Riding Hood

Even bad wolves can be good.

"So you're Irish?'' Were the first words out of the annoying attractive boy's mouth. She had never seen such an awkward person in her life. Jade had to admit, even if her heart was hammering wildly inside her chest, there was something pulling her to this boy if you could call him a boy built like a linebacker, his long black hair pulled back in a loose ponytail. There was something about that was… alluring.

"I was born and raised in Galway. Moved to the states when I was nine, right after Father adopted me.'' Jade said. She watched as the boy (at this point she guessed it was someone her age or otherwise her father would not have left alone with a grown man), looked over to the same group of boys, she supposed the bigger of the two sent a glare over his way. The boy in front of her quickly looked back over at her.

"So, Lucifer isn't really your father.'' He asked. Jade made a face. Who is he to ask that? Jade scoffed and started to walk away, but the boy caught her by the wrist causing her to stumble back. Her face turned bright red as the boy brought her close to him. Heat radiated off him in waves. Talk about a human toaster! Jade thought. He turned her around so that she was facing him again.

"Sorry… Can we just start over? My name is Paul, Paul Lahote.'' He stuck\ out his hand waiting for her to take it. Cautiously, Jade took his larger hand in her smaller, as soon as she took his hand a warmth filled her entire body. It felt like a sunburst. She really didn't want to let go.

"Uh, I'm Eu-Jade, Jade Morningstar. But you probably already knew that.'' She said folding her hands in front of her hand. They stood awkwardly for several long minutes before Paul asked,

"You wanna take a walk? I mean I know the weather's not exactly ideal, but we go somewhere more private…'' Jade vigorously shook her head. No, not yet. She watched as Paul went to grab her hand, but she quickly put her hands behind her back and started to play with the end of her braid. Her anxiety was starting to pick up again, just when she was starting to enjoy herself.

"No!'' She shouted, causing Paul to flinch, trying to ground herself Jade took in a shaky breath, " No thank you I mean. I am quite fine.'' Jade squeaked out the last word. Paul looked at her with concern on his face. Tentatively he held his hand for her to take it.

"We don't have to go anywhere. We can just stay right here if you want.'' He said quietly.

"I'm sorry, it's just been a rough day. Normally I love parties but my anxiety was acting up.'' Jade explained. Her heart was slowly getting to normal, her breath evening out, she nodded. Paul smiled and led her to a more secluded spot of the gym away from prying eyes.

She watched as Paul sagged down on the wall, he patted a spot next to him, signaling for her to sit next to him. Jade gave a look toward her parents, Chole eyed her with a skeptical look, Jade gave her a smile pointed to Paul who gave a friendly wave back. She sat down next to Paul before taking a deep breath.

"It's okay, I've seen worse. Is that your mom?'' Paul asked, pointing at Chole who was laughing at something one of the parents said. Jade gave a small smile

Jade nodded, "Yeah, that's Chole, future stepmom." She said with a hint of pride in her voice. Paul nodded, he faced her, eyes bright with curiosity.

"So either your dad is divorced or…'' Jade put a hand up to his mouth silencing him.

"Hey! you don't get to ask all these questions without spilling the tea about yourself! Go on tell me something about yourself, then I'll tell you something about me.'' Laughing, Paul took Jade's hand off his mouth and took in his.

"What do you want to know?'' He asked. Jade shrugged,

"Anything, tell me anything.'' She said

"I was born in Tacoma, and this is my first Halloween at home. So far it has been sucked ass.'' He said. Jade nodded.

"Your first Halloween here and it sucks? How so?'' Jade countered. Paul shook his head laughing.

"Hang on, you have to tell me something first,'' Paul argued.

"Ugh fine, well you know I was born in Galway. To answer your question from earlier, Lucifer is really my dad. I don't really remember much about my mom. She… disappeared when I was about four. What I do remember are mostly fuzzy memories. I think she made dim sum, and there's like a vague memory of going to a temple of some kind, it might have been Buddist. The only really clear memory I have is mom telling me about the Cu, some kind of big wolf that used to roam Ireland back in the day. She learned that in a college class.'' Jade finished watching Paul's face. Not many people knew about her past. There was something about Paul that made everything easier to share. No one knew about her mom outside of her family, not even Chole knew much about her past.

"Sorry to hear about your mom, but I'm sure was just as wonderful as you are,'' Paul said, causing Jade to scoff. He just met her, how could he assume such a thing? If only he knew. Jade thought bitterly.

"Do you really think that? How do you know I'm not an ugly troll or murder? She smirked.

Paul put a hand on her cheek and smeared some of the makeup off, he whipped some of it on his shorts.

"I don't think you're a troll or murder, you are too sweet for that.'' Paul turned his head as if trying to get a better look at her, "What, no. I take that back, you look like a sad troll.'' Jade gasped and slapped him on the chest.

"Paul, that's rude! Now you owe me two answers.'' Paul laughed as Jade started to swat her hands at him like. He caught her and slowly brought her close to him. She felt her body tense up as he brought his arm around, but relaxed as she laid her head on his chest.

"Okay since you asked. I usually spent Halloween in Tacoma with my mom. She wouldn't let me do anything, I would beg and beg until I got so angry she would just ground me anyway. But it's my first Halloween here, and of course, it's raining like hell, and I had to go to work. But of course, it doesn't suck as much since I met you.'' Paul said with a hint of awe in his voice. Jade giggled, that had to be the cheesiest thing that anyone ever said to her.

"That one answer Paul, you own me another.'' She said, leaning into him. Holy shit he is like an oven! Jesus… wait he doesn't have anything to do with this. Paul put his head on top of hers.

"What else do you want to know?'' He asked. Jade shrugged, she didn't know what time it was getting tired. The lack of sleep was getting to her.

"What do you do at work?'' Jade mumbled.

"Well, I work with Sam and Jared over there.'' He pointed to the other boys, who were apparently watching them with interest. They waved at them, Jade waved back. He seemed to be avoiding the question.

"What kind of work?'' Jade inquired.

" Nah, it's your turn chica. I already gave you my two. Why made you move from LA all the way to the middle of nowhere?'' Jade leaned back against Paul and sighed. How was she going to answer this? Tell him the truth. But as soon say it he'll go away, just like everyone else. I haven't even told Bella the truth…

"My mom got transferred to Seattle. She's helping work the missing hiker case with Charlie. I think she would have found who was behind the missing hikers by now if my dad was able to help.'' Jade explained. She told the partial truth. That was all Paul needed to know. Pulling her close, she felt his arms snake around her. Jade never let a boy this close to her, not before Malcolm. She didn't feel scared, anxious. Jade felt at home.

"So why not move to Seattle? Isn't it a little more glamorous for the Morningstars than Forks?'' Paul asked.

"No, it's your turn! What kind do you at work?'' Jade's words started to slur. Am I drunk or am I just super sleepy? Paul looked over her, eyes narrowing. He brought her closer to him, the warmth of his body becoming a blanket as he laid her into his lap.

"Hey, how about we pick this up tomorrow?'' Paul placed a kiss on the top of her head making her sigh in content. Oh yeah, she could get used to this.

"Yeah, that sounds good, tomorrow,'' Jade said as she snuggled closer to Paul. She just wished the night would last forever.

Sometimes as much as she hated to admit, Lucifer was right. She was really all work and no play. The first part of the evening she had tried to talk about the missing hikers, mostly with Billy Black and Harry Clearwater who were the most knowledgeable about the situation with the hikers, according to Charlie. But soon the conversation turned to their kids, her relationship with Dan, and then Lucifer. Chole was slowly enjoying herself. She easily found herself making friends with Billy mostly on the foundation of being single parents, but soon found they had more in common. Right she watched her eldest daughter. She liked to think of Jade as her daughter. Hopefully in a few months that legally happen. Chole watched, as she and one of the local boys, Paul sat in a corner of the gym. Talking animatedly about something.

"They look cute don't they?'' Someone asked, making Chole jump and almost spill her drink. Placing a hand on chest. Turning around she saw Sue Clearwater standing behind her.

"Sorry, I was just commenting on your daughter and Paul. They make a good pair.'' Chole nodded.

"Yeah…'' Chole said, voice tinged with worry. The detective was happy that Jade was hanging out with someone outside of Bella, not that Bella wasn't a good friend, Bella was beyond good, "It's just she's been through a lot in the last two months. She's just started to open up, and… I just don't think it's the right time for her to be around boys.'' Sue nodded in understanding. Having overheard a little bit of what Chole told Billy. Moving to Forks after a case went wrong, She hadn't heard much else aside from that her two daughters were involved.

"I understand, it can be hard when your kids go through something traumatic, but if she's willing to let new people into life, especially boys? I say that's a good sign that her recovery is going in the right direction.'' Sue said. Chole took a deep breath, she supposed that Sue was right. Since moving to Forks Jade hadn't made friends with Bella, and now here she was hanging with this Paul kid like they've known each other since childhood. Why do they remind me of Lucy? Chole thought absentmindedly. Her eyes went from Jade and Paul to Trixie who was playing with Sue's youngest child, Seth. Then to Leah, the eldest daughter hung out with a group of friends but was on her phone not really interacting with the rest of them.

"I guess, but I don't know Sue. I guess because I'm going to her mom soon I'm already parenting her, and she lived a completely different life before I came along. Lucifer let her have free reign in almost everything, and I'm saying I'm not going to give her that same freedom, but it's just… how do I say it? We lived very different lives.'' Taking a sip from her cup, the sour of the punch Chole set it down and leaned against the table.

"I know what you mean, Harry and I are very different when it comes to the kids. I can only imagine how it is with Lucifer.'' Chole nodded in agreement.

"Oh, you have no idea. He got custody of Jade when she was nine and had no clue on how to raise a kid. Jade said that her first year after she moved to LA she was a hostess, she danced on the table with some of the dancers too at Lucy's club.'' Sue gave a look of astonishment. Who would allow a child into a nightclub, much less work in one? Chole laughed at the look that Sue was giving her.

"Don't worry, Lucifer learned real quick that a nightclub was not an appropriate place for a kid. Apparently, her social worker ran into her serving drinks with her Aunt Maze. Gave him a firm warning that Lux was not a good place for a child.'' Chole explained. Sue let out a breath she didn't know she was holding, a laugh bubbled out of her.

"That is… something else. I take he learned his lesson, Jade looks like a nice girl.'' Chole hummed in agreement. She really was, despite Lucifer's rather unique parenting style, Jade is turning out to be a beautiful young lady.

"She is, Trixie loves her''- Her phone interrupted her "sorry'' Chole mouthed, turning away.

"Decker. Whoa, slow down Charlie. What happened… okay, okay I'll be there, and bring Lucifer, gotcha.'' Well shit. Chole thought.

"Was that Charlie?'' Sue asked with concern in her voice. Her face grim, the detective nodded.

"Uh yeah. A body was found in the woods, he thinks it's one of the hikers, but uh. But the way it was found it was almost ritualistic, which is Lucifer's… shit what I am gonna do about the kids?'' Sue placed a hand on Chole's shoulder.

"Chole, look at me. It's okay, I'll call Emily over and see if the girls spend the night with her and Sam. Don't worry, okay? Chole nodded. She felt herself go numb. She didn't want to leave her daughters with someone she didn't know. They hadn't been left alone since… taking a breath she tugged at her jacket.

"Right, I'll get the girls, stop by the house so they can get their things, and then drop them off at '' Sue shook her head.

"Look you and Lucifer go on, Sam and the boys can take care of Jade and Trixie.'' Chole nodded, she called over to Lucifer who sauntered over. She filled Lucifer in on what was going on. When she told him the state the body was found in, he visibly paled.

"Lucifer are you alright? I thought this right up your alley?'' Chole asked. Lucifer nodded slowly.

"Yes it is Detective, but I'm afraid this might hit a little close to home for me,'' Lucifer said with fear in his voice.

Paul felt like he was in heaven. Jade had fallen asleep in his lap. Yep, life was good. Leaning his head against the wall he pictured so many seniors in his head. He saw the two of them at prom, graduating, getting married, having kids. God, he couldn't wait to tell her about everything. Paul, we have a situation. Sam's voice drifted into his head, ruining the daydream. What? He asked bitterly. He glanced over to where Sam and Jared were, they were talking with Harry and Sue, both looked pretty concerned about something.

Chole got a call about one of the missing hikers. It's gotten her and Morningstar pretty shaken up. Jade and Trixie are gonna spend the night at my house since we live closer. Sam explained. Paul stiffened. The hikers, he hadn't thought about the missing hikers for days. He brought his arms tighter around Jade. She groaned in his arms, opening her eyes as she looked around at him.

"Wha's going on?'' She asked sleepily.

"Your parents just got called on a case, you and Trixie are gonna spend the night with Sam and Emily after we go get your things.'' Jade nodded, making Paul wonder if she heard what he said. Slowly getting up he picked up Jade and carried her bridal style over to Sam and Jared. He watched as Chloe and Lucifer discussed something, probably about the case. They were too far away from him to hear anything. Paul suddenly felt the blonde detective's eyes on his, her bright blue eyes stopped on him, then looked over at Sam

"You must be Sam, I'm sorry springing this on you and Emily at the last minute, but thank you so much for letting my girls spend the night, normally they have their aunt or uncle stay with them, but their aunt is working a case and their uncle in…'' Sam shook his head, part of him wished he could meet his pack sister's parents under more normal circumstances. Paul cradled Jade in his arms. She looked so small in his arms. Maybe if he could ask Sam if he could…

You can stay on the couch. Paul smiled and kissed Jade on the forehead, completely forgetting that Chole was standing in front of them with a confused look on his face. The clearing of the detective's throat brought Paul back to reality. Sam hid a laugh under a cough. He pointed at Chole and mouthed "stepmom'' Paling, he gently shook Jade awake. She looked up and saw Paul smiling at her with those honey eyes.

"It's not a problem Ms. Decker, Emily and I would love to have them,'' Sam said. He gestured over to Paul who had set Jade down on the floor. He had his arms wrapped around him, she leaned into him taking in his warmth.

"Uh, this lovesick puppy here is Paul Lahote, one the guys I've been uh, mentoring.'' Chole smiled and held out her hand. Paul took it and shook it firmly causing the detective to pull her hand back and rub it.

"Quite a grip you have there Paul, you work out of something?'' Chole jokes. But the look between the two young men said otherwise.

"Uh yeah, I promise, Jade is in good hands, right Jade?'' Jade nodded, a quiet "yep''. Paul noticed that Ms. Decker didn't seem comfortable with Jade being with them.

"Okay, so here's the thing. Jade has trouble sleeping at night so she gets her medicine and takes about thirty minutes before bed. Trixie likes someone to read before bed, she's reading I think one of the Warrior Cats books, uh Jade do you remember which one it is?'' Chole asked, Jade thought for a moment.

"It's The Broken Code. Left off on chapter five.'' Jade said.

"Yeah. I think that's it for the girls. Just make sure they brush their teeth, take medicine, pack jammies, and clothes for the morning. I think that's it. Lucifer and I will be, hopefully, will be at your house in the morning, maybe their Aunt Maze or their uncle.'' Sam nodded, making mental notes of everything. Did you get everything, Paul? Paul nodded. Chole started to walk away to find Lucifer and Trixie who had wandered off somewhere. But she turned around.

"Oh, I forgot to ask, what's your address before I forget,'' Chole asked.

"I live off the road from the community center, it's about a twenty-minute drive from here. It's a big house, can't miss it.'' Sam explained. Chole nodded and said thank you before leaving to find her wayward daughter and finance. Paul tightened his arms around her as Jade whined when she watched Chole go away.

"What's the matter Bunny?'' He asked. She put her hands on his arms and rested her chin on them.

"I haven't stayed at anyone's house since meeting Bella. And the hikers, I'm scared Paul.'' Hugging her, he rested his head on top of hers.

"Don't worry Bunny, we won't let anything happen to you.''