Thank you everyone who has reviewed, commented, or messaged me about this fic! I love all support and excitement. It truly makes my day! So thank you! I hope you all like this chapter just as much as the last one! As always TheDistantDusk and Breanie have been the best beta and advice givers out there. They are literally the best and I can never thank them enough. Hope you all enjoy chapter 2!

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Harry smiled at the barista making his coffee. He'd been coming to the same place for weeks and loved it. The staff was friendly and never messed up his order. To be fair, he was a simple guy with just one cream, but still, he liked their reliability. Most things in his life were inconsistent and fickle, but not his coffee.

"Here you go, Harry," Diana said as she placed his steaming cup on the counter. She slid a small brown bag next to his drink. "I even added one of those mini treacle tarts you like so much. On the house."

"You didn't have to —" Harry started, pulling out his wallet.

Diana waved him off. "Don't even think about it. Just come in tomorrow with that adorable smile of yours." The wink she sent his way spread heat across his neck. She'd flirted with him the last few times he came in, but he politely ignored it. But she was becoming more brazen; it was harder to act like he didn't notice.

He gave her a forced smile and snatched up the cup and bag. Harry took a detour over to the lid station and popped a cover on the cup. There was no way he was spilling another drink in his patrol car. Tonks teased him enough as it was, he didn't need to add to her ammo.

A sharp wind stung his cheeks as he pushed open the cafe door. He tucked the bag under his arm and used his free hand to pull up the collar of his jacket. It had been chilly over the last few days in Sheffield, thanks to a storm brewing off the coast near Liverpool, but they weren't expected to see any real damage from it. That was one thing Harry enjoyed about his new residence in the centralized city.

He'd only moved out of London a few months ago and he was still adjusting to the change. There had been a lot to handle, but it had been for the best. It was all to be there for his godson. His godson, who had just lost his father to a tragic car accident. Harry's chest still ached when he thought of the man who helped raise him. Remus Lupin had been there after Harry's own parents (and Harry's godfather) had died in a car crash when he was only a year old. Remus had taken him under his wing, raised him like his own, and loved him without question. Now it was Harry's turn to do the same for Remus' three-year-old son. Harry was going to be there for Teddy and Remus' widow, Dora (better known as Tonks).

He'd left his promising detective career in London to work in the much smaller Sheffield department, all so he could be with his family. Dora, or Tonks as she preferred to be called, had given Harry full access to the detached garage in her yard. In less than a month they'd had the place set up like the perfect bachelor's studio flat.

Not that he acted like the typical bachelor. Harry spent all his time either at the station or with Tonks and Teddy. He wouldn't have it any other way. He adored his family and despite only being active in the city for a few months, Harry already was dedicated to keeping Sheffield safe.

Another harsh gust of wind whipped around him as walked towards his car. If he wanted to make it to the station before seven, he was going to have to pick up the pace. Lengthening his strides, Harry glanced over to the right. He'd never been one for window shopping but some of the local stores had nice options. Maybe one day he'd even pop into one of them and get a present for Tonks or Teddy.

Just as that thought crossed his mind, something – or more like someone – ran into him. Harry's body jerked and his coffee flew from his hands, crashing into the pavement and spilling everywhere. Harry pulled his eyes from the sad scene to look into deep brown eyes. His heart stuttered in his chest as he took in the gorgeous woman who had bumped into him. Freckles covered her cheeks and long red hair framed her face perfectly. He could see all of that under the grime that coated her skin. Even with just this quick look, Harry could tell this woman was in trouble. Her clothing was ratty and didn't fit her at all. There was a fading bruise on her forearm that looked too close to a hand for Harry's liking. And there was her wrist. Her wrist looked as if it had been mauled or, and Harry knew this from cases down in London, restrained in handcuffs.

"I am so sorry!" she said, her hands coming up to straighten his ruffled jacket. "I wasn't looking where I was going."

"It's fine," Harry said, trying to give her a comforting smile. "I wasn't looking either. Are you okay?"

Her eyes went wide and she pulled her hands away from him as if she'd been burned. "I'm fine. I best be going."

Before Harry even realized what was happening, she was gone, hurrying down the street. He spun on his heel and called after her but she ignored him, her pace increasing to a light jog.

"Wait!" Harry started after her, his long legs cutting the distance between them. "Wait, Miss!"

She glanced over her shoulder and in that brief moment, Harry could see true fear. She was terrified of something or someone. Her head turned back and she broke out into a sprint. Harry picked up his pace, determined to reach her, to help her. Whatever she was afraid of, he could protect her.

"Miss, I'm the police. I can help!" Harry yelled.

If anything, his supposedly comforting words made her run faster. She turned down a side alley and Harry put his head down to cover more ground. He reached the corner right as she pushed her way through a side door. Harry didn't hesitate; he followed her straight into the cafe's kitchen.

Diana was standing by the sink, placing dishes into soapy water. Her head spun to look at him, her brow furrowing in confusion. "Harry?"

"Diana, did you see a woman come running through here? She had red hair and was wearing a dark green shirt with holes in it."

"Umm, yeah, she asked to use the loo." Diana pointed to the employee's only door. "Normally I would have turned her away but it looked like a real emergency."

"Is there a window in there?"

Diana shook her head. "No, it was converted from a mop cupboard years ago. What is this, Harry?"

Harry moved slowly towards the door. "Diana, can you please go tell the manager that I'm back here and will be escorting a woman out of here through the back door. She's in some sort of danger and I'm trying to help her."

He didn't take his eyes away from the door as he heard Diana's steps fade out of the room. Slowly, he raised a fist and tapped at the door. "Miss? I am Detective Potter with the Sheffield police. I can tell you're in trouble and I'd like to help."

Nothing. No response came from the other side of the door. Harry tried turning the handle, but it was locked.

He tried knocking again. "Please don't make me break down this door. I would like to keep getting my coffee here and businesses tend to dislike blokes who break down their doors."

Again, no noise came from inside the loo. Harry let out a long sigh before turning his body so his shoulder was facing the door. He'd only done this successfully one time and that had been while chasing a drug dealer through a woman's flat. Harry had been fueled by the sounds of screaming children and women back then. This time was less… intense, but Harry needed to get in there.

"Back into the furthest corner from the door!" Harry commanded. Taking a deep breath Harry started a countdown. Three. Two. O

"Wait!" Diana screamed from behind him. Harry jerked forward in surprise, just tapping his shoulder against the wood. He twisted to look at the barista. Her whole body was shaking as she held her palm open. "I have a key!"

Harry blinked once… twice. A key. Why didn't he just ask for a back up key? He wanted to slap his forehead, but resisted, instead holding his hand out. Once Diana had placed the cool metal in his palm, Harry turned back to the door.

"Miss, I have the key and I'm unlocking the door." Harry wanted the woman to know everything that was happening, to help keep her calm. It only took a few seconds for Harry to slide the key into the hole and unlock it.

The door swung inward; just as Harry took in the small, square room with just a sink and toilet, a long metal pipe swung at his head. Harry had no idea where the woman had gotten the pipe, but she swung it like a professional cricket player. She would have hit him square on the side of his head if he hadn't managed to jump back in the nick of time.

"Whoa!" Harry held his palms up. "Put down the pipe."

"You won't be taking me back there! I won't go back!" The woman raised her weapon again. Though her stance and words were battle-ready, there was a tremble in her tone that gave away her fear.

Harry kept his hands up. "Okay. I won't be taking you anywhere. But I would like to know where there is. I'd like to help you stay away from wherever there is."

Her eyes narrowed, staring him down with an intense look that would make most men cry. "Who are you?"

"As I mentioned, I'm Detective Potter. I work here in Sheffield. I've been here for a few months. What's your name?"

She pursed her lips not giving anything away. Harry internally sighed. She didn't trust him and they weren't going to get anywhere until he gave her a reason to trust him.

"Are you cold?" Harry asked, gesturing to her frayed clothing. "Would you like my jacket? Maybe have a cup of coffee to warm you up?" He glanced at Diana from the corner of his eye. "Can we get a couple cups, Diana?" The barista nodded and hurried away, clearly anxious to get away. Harry brought his full attention back to the woman. "So would you like my jacket? At least for a little bit until you get that cuppa?"

He could practically see the gears working behind her eyes. Trying to see the trap. He sent another comforting smile her way, making sure to keep his palms out to her.

After a long moment, her shoulders lowered just the slightest. "Back up." Harry blinked at her but did as she asked. "Now throw me the jacket." Again Harry followed her order, sliding the jacket off his shoulders before throwing it to her. She narrowed her eyes at him and he lifted his hands up again.

"I'll stay right here," He promised. She hesitated for another moment before lowering the pipe to the floor and sliding the jacket on. It was way too large for her but she didn't seem to care as she made quick work of the zipper.

Harry pointed over to a small break room off to his right. "Would you like to sit down for a bit? You look like you could use a rest."

She glanced at the small sofa and Harry could see the longing, but she was still hesitant. "I don't —"

"How about I take a seat by that table in the corner and you take the sofa. Give you a more comfortable seat and an easier way to the door if you feel like you need to leave."

"I —" She glanced again and Harry saw the last of her resistance fall from her shoulders. "Alright, but you go in first. And I'm bringing my pipe."

Harry chuckled. "I wouldn't have it any other way."

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While waiting for their drinks, Harry sent a discreet text to his partner. It was direct and to the point. He wasn't going to make the morning briefing due to a woman needing his help. Seamus Finninagin responded quickly telling him to call if he needed backup.

Diana not only brought them a whole pot of coffee, but also an array of scones and biscuits from the display case. Harry'd watched her hands shake as she placed the tray on the coffee table in front of the woman. She'd backed away slowly, telling them to enjoy with a shaky voice.

Now it was just Harry and the woman. Harry had pulled a creaky chair from the table in the corner and now turned it so he faced the middle of the room. The woman stared at the baked goods like they were poisoned.

"The butter scones here are excellent." Harry broke the heavy silence, making the woman jerk her head to look at him. "I've had them more times than I probably should have."

The woman stared at him, her brown eyes suspicious and cautious. Harry again couldn't help but wonder what this poor woman had gone through. To be this wary and skittish… Harry didn't know what he could do to make it easier on her, not until she opened up. If there was one thing he knew, she needed to feel in control. So he would wait. Wait for her to make the first move.

Slowly she leaned forward, taking a scone off the tray. She took a cautious bite, her eyes closing for half a second before she went in for another. Harry just stayed in his seat, letting her take her fill.

After her third biscuit, she finally looked up at Harry. "I um —" She swallowed. "I haven't eaten in a little while." Harry nodded, letting her take her time. After a deep breath she continued. "I don't know what happened. One minute I was coming home from the gym and then the next —"

Even from a distance, Harry could see the way her muscles tensed and her breathing shallowed. She was panicking. Whatever she was remembering created a physical response, and he needed to get her back

"Hey." Harry kept his tone gentle. "Hey, Miss, look at me."

She did, her wide eyes bearing into his as if looking for a lie. Harry wanted to take her hand, to try to comfort her. But he knew if he moved towards her, she would bolt. He could see her lip tremble and it ate at his heart.

"I'm," She sucked in a harsh breath. "I'm sorry."

Harry shook his head. "You have nothing to be sorry for."

She closed her eyes for a moment, her chest rising and falling with deep breaths. It took her a moment, but eventually, her spine loosened and she relaxed into the sofa cushions. When her eyes opened Harry could see the exhaustion etched in every feature of her pretty face. "I was kidnapped a few days ago."

Harry nodded, again letting her take the lead. Which she did after another deep breath. "I don't know exactly why or who. But one of the guys, I only saw him once, made a comment about how his boss picked me out… special."

It was thanks to years of being on the force that Harry managed to keep his expression impassive, while his anger boiled violently in his gut. He could guess what that meant. Harry allowed himself a second to make sure his voice stayed level. "So you were held hostage?"

She nodded, her jaw clenched in a hard line. "I — um — I was tied to the bed frame." He could see her hands starting to shake before she clasped them hard in her lap.

Unable to resist any longer, Harry rose slowly and moved in front of her. She looked surprised at his movement, a little apprehensive. He stopped on the opposite side of the coffee table and offered his hand. She stared at it for a long moment before separating her trembling hands and taking his. Her fingers closed in a grip so tight Harry was afraid she might break something.

He returned the pressure, albeit with less force. "It's gonna be alright. You're safe now."

"I — I um," She cleared her throat. "Thank you for coming to break down the door."

Harry smiled at her. "I'm glad I didn't have to. The boss wouldn't have ever let me come back for my coffee fix."

Her lips curled in a strained grin. "I've heard it's frowned upon to let customers break down doors. Bad for business and all that.

That made Harry laugh. They stayed there for a moment. Her hand grasped tightly in his. Harry's eyes started taking all her in, looking past just the terrified woman. He could see the countless freckles coating her cheeks and how there was a little slash in her left eyebrow. Then there was the tiny scar that curled just above her lip. All of it suited her so well.

"Ginny."

Harry started at the sound of her voice. "Huh?"

A real smile spread across her face and Harry noticed a dimple on her left cheek that was incredibly adorable. "My name. You asked it, like, twenty times."

"Oh!" Harry could feel heat spreading to the back of his neck. "Right! Right!" He had no idea what his problem was; it was like his mouth and brain had lost connection.

"And your name is Harry? I heard the barista say it through the door."

"That's right. I — um come here often."

That dimple reappeared and Harry's eyes followed it as it deepened. "I got that." Her smile slowly faded and Harry's attention shot to her eyes. There was that anxiety taking over again. "What am I gonna do? I still don't know why those men… why they took me." She swallowed so hard, Harry could practically hear it.

For the second time Harry was drawn to move towards her, like she was magnetic. He moved to sit on the coffee table, placing them close enough that their knees were touching. "I've got you, Ginny."

Her eyes met his and Harry felt an overwhelming wave of… of something that he couldn't place. But there was something about the rich brown of eyes that sucked him in. When she squeezed his fingers he glanced down at them and then back at her face. "I don't know why, but I trust you."

A pleasant heat spread through his body at her words. He returned her squeeze. "I'm glad. Now, we will figure out the who and why. But for now how about we find some clothing to change into."

Ginny looked down at the ratty clothing and gave him a sheepish smile. "This was better than walking down the street naked."

Harry clenched his jaw. Those fucking bastards had not only kidnapped her but taken her dignity. When he got his hands on these people Harry would not hold back. His fingers fisted as he imagined punching faceless scumbags.

He took a deep breath to calm himself. The level of animosity surprised him. Normally he could control his temper, but imagining some creep smirking as stripped her… It made his blood boil.

Harry took a deep breath to calm himself. He didn't want to frighten Ginny with his anger. She'd had enough happening without some bloke getting into a rage. "I can imagine. Okay so how about I take you to the station we can —"

"No!" Ginny shook her head hard and fast. "No cops!"

That surprised Harry. After an innocent like this most people would want to get their statement record. "Why don't —"

Ginny continued to shake her head. "There was a bloke… I can't remember his name, but he said he was a member of the MET. And yet he was involved with… whatever happened to me."

He could see her body trembling and just like that Harry was in a rage again. Ginny had been kidnapped by a corrupt cop! Harry wanted to punch something. This was getting worse and worse by the minute. He mentally released as many curses as he could think of before forcing himself to calm down.

"Alright, alright no cops." Harry tried to rack his brain about what to do. "I have a friend who is about your size and I know she would be happy to lend you what you need. If you're comfortable with it, I can take you to her house. Well, it's my house too, sort of. I live in the renovated garage."

He slammed his lips together. Before he couldn't get words to come out of his mouth, now they wouldn't stop!

Ginny gnawed at her bottom lip for a moment before nodding. "If you really think she'd be okay with it…"

Harry smiled. "Trust me, Tonks has that mothering vibe about her. She'll take you in and want to feed you before tucking you in."

A shy, mischievous grin curled her lips."Are you saying that from experience?"

The quip surprised him for a second before he laughed. "No, but that's not from a lack of trying on her part."

He rose to his feet, keeping their fingers joined as he helped her up. His hand stayed in hers long after she was on her feet. It took a weirdly conscious effort for Harry to remember to pull away. "Come on, I've got to go pay all of this, and then we'll head out."

"I —" Ginny let out a deep breath. "Thank you, Detective Potter."

Harry smiled at her as they walked out of the break room.