***Disclaimer: I don't own Outlaw Star or the characters... Hello everyone! I'm on a roll this week! I'm getting back to writing these chapters! I hope you like it, and please review!


Chapter Five

The next day, Gene walked to the restaurant where Melfina worked. He opened the door and was met with the sweet aroma of rice and wax candles. He walked up to the hostess and asked for Melfina.

"I think she's in the back with Aisha," she replied in a flirty way. "Do you want me to get her for you?"

He shook his head. "No. I think I can do it all by myself."

"Oh." He could hear the disappointment in her voice. "All right."

Gene nodded and walked past her. He scanned the dimmed restaurant, but he didn't see her. He continued to walk to the back and still didn't find her. But he saw Aisha, standing near the doorway of the kitchen.

"Aisha," he said as he walked toward her.

She looked up and smiled. "Oh, you're that guy that Melfina's been telling me about. You're name's Gene, right?"

He nodded. "Do you know where Melfina is?"

"Well, actually I do," she replied.

"Well? Where is she?" he asked impatiently.

She looked at him and then at the long line of customers in the lobby. "I have to get back to work."

As soon as she stated to walk away, Gene grabbed her arm. She turned to him and gave him an annoyed look.

"What is it?" she asked.

"Tell me where she is," he demanded.

She sighed. "She's in the bathroom. I guess Harry came in earlier and made her upset."

"Where is it?" he asked.

She pointed to the wooden door with white screens. "There," she replied, and took her arm out of Gene's grasp. "Now I have to get back to work or else I'll get fired."

"Thank you, Aisha," he said, and ran towards the bathroom door.

He stood in front of it. He knocked, but there was no answer. He put his ear against the screen and tried to hear her. He heard soft sobs and whimpering. He quickly opened the door and stood stiff. There she was, curled up in a little ball in the corner. He ran over to her and knelt beside her.

"Melfina," he said softly. "What's wrong? Why are you crying?"

She didn't answer. She kept her face in her hands and cried.

Gene didn't know what to do. He never had to worry about Hilda, since she pretty much took care of herself. And she hardly ever cried, so this was all so new to him. It wasn't as if he was a complete idiot when it came to taking care of someone and comforting them, it's just that he wasn't the sappy kind of guy to be open with his emotions.

"Melfina, tell me what's wrong," he said. "You could tell me."

She looked up at him. Tears trailed down her cheek and splashed onto the marble floor. He wiped away her tears with his fingers and smiled at her.

"Gene," she whispered as tears continued to fall. "Why did you come here?"

"To look for you," he replied.

"Why?" she asked. "Why would you want to look for me?"

"I told your sister that I would protect you," he said, and wiped more of her tears away. "And so I came."

She smiled. "I'm glad, Gene," she said. "But I don't see why I need protection. I mean, it's not like I'm totally helpless."

He raised his eyebrows and said, "I can see that. But I don't see why you're crying in the corner of the bathroom."

She looked away and stared at the floor. He wondered what was wrong. Then he remembered what Aisha said about Harry coming there earlier.

"Did Harry hurt you?" he asked. "Because if he did, I won't let him do it ever again. I promise."

She looked at him. Her eyes were cold and her body was trembling in fear. Gene wished he could read her mind to see what was wrong with her. Then she surprised him by wrapping her arms tightly around him. He was stunned at first and just sat there. But he eventually put his arms around her and held her close to him.

"What did he do to you, Melfina?" he asked. "Tell me."

"He threatened … t-to kill me if I didn't m-marry him," she replied in broken words.

"I won't let him, Melfina."

"Gene, please don't let go," she pleaded. "Don't let me go so he could hurt me again. Please don't."

"I won't Melfina," he said, and rubbed her back. "I promise."

He helped her onto her feet and led her to the sink. He ran the cold water and splashed it onto her face.

She looked up into the mirror and watched as he wiped her face with a paper towel. She never thought anyone would care for her like this. No one ever touched her the way he does and she never felt this way about any one. Her stomach was in a giant knot and her heart was pounding wildly. "Can he feel my heart?" she asked herself as she watched him. She wished she could save this reflection in the mirror, but she knew she couldn't. Reflections can't last forever.

"Melfina?" he said, waving his hand in font of her face. "Earth to Melfina."

She snapped out of her daze. "I'm sorry. I guess I was just daydreaming."

"I can see that," he replied. "How about I take you home?"

She nodded and they walked out of the bathroom.

"Melfina, wait!" Aisha shouted, and ran toward her. "Your sister left this for you."

Melfina took the letter from her hand. "Thanks, Aisha."

Aisha grinned, as she looked them over. "Have fun guys."

Melfina rolled her eyes and they continued to walk out of the restaurant. They walked down the sidewalk, hand in hand.

Something weird was happening to Gene. His stomach felt as if it was doing somersaults and his heart was beating faster than usual. "What is this?" he asked himself. It was a feeling that was so foreign and so unusual. "It's been so long since I've felt this way."

They got to her apartment building and he walked her to the door of her apartment.

"So, Melfina said.

"So…"

"Do you want to come in?" she asked.

It was tempting, but he couldn't say yes. It just wouldn't be right.

"I don't think it would be the best thing right now," he replied.

"Oh, all right." He could sense her disappointment in her voice. "Well goodnight."

"Goodnight, Melfina," he said.

She smiled and closed the door.

Gene stood by her door for a couple seconds and then started to walk down the hallway. But he stopped when he noticed a dark figure standing in the dark shadows of the hall.

"Gene Starwind," the figure said, and moved out from the darkness.

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To Be Continued...

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