Peter and Aurora walked into the station. It was busy today, and there were people running around everywhere. It was like walking in a mall on Christmas eve. Head to head traffic. People were bumping into each other at every turn. Peter realized that this was not the place she needed to be, but he had to get his wallet.

He glanced back at Aurora. She had her arms wrapped protectively around her. Peter wasn't sure how she would react to his touch, but then again he wasn't sure how she'd react in a crowd either. He gently eased his arm over her shoulders. He felt her tense under him, but she didn't pull away. A familiar touch was probably better now, regardless of the fact he'd only known her a few hours.

Peter guided her over to the desk, and let her go. Not as many people were around them there, and Aurora was grateful for that. She huddled next to Peter looking down at his chaotic work station. Papers were skewed across the top, stacks of files threatened to fall over. Peter had begun going through his drawers looking for his wallet.

"I hope you live in better conditions," Aurora told him.

Peter glanced up from the corner of his eye. "I didn't know you could crack jokes." He had a smirk on his face.

Aurora blushed and looked down, the signs of a smile playing at the corner of her lips.

"Oh my god!," Peter exclaimed in mock surprise putting a hand over his chest. "And you can smile. I thought you were physically incapable!"

This caused Aurora to laugh.

"You know, you look a lot prettier when you smile."

Peter laughed as he saw her turn red again, and went back into his disaster area to look for his wallet.

Kermit walked out of his small office, and saw Peter at his desk. He was wearing a gray suit, black tie, and leather dress shoes. As usual he was wearing his green sunglasses. He walked over to Peter and the girl, who Kermit realized Peter was much to old to be dating, so he was curious as to who she was.

"Got it," Peter exclaimed, as Kermit walked over.

"Hey kid."

Peter looked up from his desk. "Hey Kermit, what's up?"

"Not much, just about to go to lunch. Who's this?" He asked, referring to Peters young friend. "Kermit this is Aurora Ramirez. Aurora this is Kermit Griffin."

"Nice to meet you," Kermit extended his hand, so she could shake it, and was surprised when she jumped back behind the young detective. He eyed Peter suspiciously, but let it go for the moment.

"Sorry kid, didn't mean to scare you."

Aurora didn't' respond. Any remains of her previous smile were completely gone.

"Aurora, why don't you do me a favor and sit at my desk for minute. I have to talk to Kermit about a case we've been working on."

Peter pulled out the chair for her, and she sat down.

"I'll be right back."

Peter and Kermit walked back into Kermit's office. Peter made sure he could still see Aurora, just in case she tried to take off.

Kermit crossed his arms over his chest. "Alright Peter, what's going on? We aren't on a case, so what do you need help with?"

"It's about the kid. I need you to run a check on her mother. I know she married a guy named Tom in the last year, but I don't know his last name."

"What's this all about, Peter?"

"I'm pretty sure the kids been abused, Kermit. For about a year now. She says it's her stepfather." He conveniently left out the part about the dreams. Kermit didn't like that kind of stuff.

"No wonder she's so shaken up. She must have been through hell."

"Seems like it," Peter said glancing back to his desk. "But listen, I'm going to get out of here. Call me when you find something?"

"You got it."

"Thanks Kermit."

The former mercenary watched Peter and Aurora leave. He swore he would never act as a mercenary again, but beating up on kids, well he might be willing to make an exception there. He sighed. Realizing lunch would have to wait, he sat in his black leather chair, and turned to his computer. This could take some time.

Peter decided to take Aurora, or Aurora as he seemed to call her, to McDonalds. After all what teenager doesn't like McDonalds? Peter ordered a double quarter pounder combo with a Coke, and Aurora, who at first was shy, ordered a bigmac combo with a Dr.Pepper. Peter wasn't surprised when she downed her food in a matter of five minutes.

"Thank you," Aurora said, after she was done chewing.

"No problem," he replied.

Peter set down his burger, and sat back in the booth. "So why don't you tell me more about yourself."

She shrugged. "What do you want to know?"

"How old are you for starters?"

"Sixteen."

"Where are you from?"

"Miami, FL."

Peter whistled. "That's a long distance to travel by yourself. How did you manage to get here?"

"My dad left me some money. I just didn't want to use my bank card too much because they can trace it."

"They?"

"My mom and Tom."

Peter nodded. "How long has Tom been hurting you?"

Peter watched as Aurora wrapped her arms around her. He was noticing that every time she was scared or uncomfortable she would do that, and she was doing it quite a bit since he met her. The only difference this time was it accompanied by a slight rocking.

"I don't know."

"Come on Aurora, tell me the truth."

She sighed and looked at her lap, as if there was something miraculous sitting there. "He hit me once before my dad died. He told Tom and my mom that if they ever came near me again he'd land them both in jail. He never reported it though so after he..so afterwards the state saw no reason not to send me to my mother. He started hitting me the day I arrived."

"I thought you said that he didn't hit you at first."

"I did say that, but," she trailed off.

"But what?" Peter persisted.

"I..I didn't think you'd believe me," she whispered. "No one else has."

"You mean you reported this, and nothing was done?" Peter asked, outraged.

She nodded. "Tom has connections with the local police. His brothers on the force."

"So they said you were lying to cover for Tom?"

"I guess," She raised her gaze to meet Peters. "You do believe me don't you?"

Peter leaned forward. "Of course I believe you.

"Really?"

"Yes, really," He replied. "Aurora I know you've been hurt, and nothing was done to stop it, but I promise that I won't let them take you back."

Aurora gazed into Peter's deep brown eyes. She didn't know why, but she believed him. Then again she'd believed her father when he said he'd always be there. Now she was alone in the world. No one cared about her. Peter only took pity on her, and the only reason he was helping was probably because Caine and her father knew each other. Still she figured at least she had someone to protect her now.

Peter watched Aurora as she seemed lost in a world of thoughts. He saw the terror, the pain, the sadness, but mostly the anger that welled in her eyes. There was something she wasn't telling him, but he didn't want to push. Not yet anyways. He also realized that she looked tired.

"Hey," he said, breaking Aurora from her thoughts. "You look exhausted. What say we bring you back to my fathers place, so you can get some rest."

Aurora nodded. "Peter," she said as he started to get up.

"Yeah?"

"Thank you..for believing me." Peter smiled. "Come on."

The two got out of the booth and walked outside. They had just reached the stealth when a scream rang out from the alley next to McDonalds.

"STAY HERE!" Peter yelled, as he took off in the direction of the scream.

He ran down the alley with his gun drawn. It was a small, dead end alley, with dumpsters and trash cans on both sides. Boxes were scattered all around. Peter looked, but didn't see anyone.

"Hello!" he called. "Is someone there?"

No one answered him.

Meanwhile Aurora had let her curiosity get the better of her. That and the fact she didn't like standing there by herself. She had a feeling something very bad was about to happen. Feeling a bit frightened, she made her way over to the alley. She didn't go down, she just stood at the corner between the alley and the street. She watched as Peter slowly made his way down the alley, kicking over boxes and looking behind the dumpsters. She realized then that he really was a good cop.

Suddenly a man appeared behind Aurora and grabbed her. He was tall, at least six foot. He was wearing all black with a matching hood. He had a gun in his hand. Aurora screamed and the attacker quickly put a hand over her mouth, but Peter had heard her. He turned around and ran towards her, but three more masked men jumped in front of him, from out of no where, blocking his way.

"You guys really don't want to do this," Peter said, putting a hand up. "I'm a cop."

One of them responded by kicking Peter in the face. He grabbed his jaw, where the foot had made contact.

"I guess you do want to do this."

Peter started fighting them, catching a few blows, but dishing out most of the pain. His kung fu training, along with police training always seemed to come in handy. Unfortunately his attackers kept his attention drawn away from Aurora. He didn't notice as the fourth man, started dragging her away.

The masked attacker had pulled her out of the alley, and was heading for a black van parked on the street, when Caine appeared. He was wearing the same outfit from earlier. The only additions were a brown hat on his head, and a small bag over his shoulder.

The attacker never saw him, since Caine came up from behind. With a tactic he had used before, Caine hit a pressure point on his shoulder, causing him to pass out, and collapse instantly. Aurora pulled from his grip as he fell. She looked down at him in shock, and then turned to Caine.

"Are you alright?" Caine asked.

Aurora nodded. "But Peter?"

"What about me?" Peter asked coming out of the alley.

Aurora looked past him seeing the other three unconscious on the ground.

"Are you alright, my son?" Caine asked.

"Yeah I'm fine. You alright Aurora?"

"I'm fine."

Peter leaned down and grabbed the mans gun.

"Pop stay with her for a minute. I'm going to go call this in."

"Of course."

Peter took one last glance at Aurora and ran to his car.

Aurora looked down at her attacker.

Caine followed her gaze. He was about to put a hand on her shoulder, but thought better of it. "He can not harm you."

"I never should have involved you, or Peter," she whispered, still looking down.

Caine raised an eyebrow. "What are you not telling us?"

Aurora didn't respond. Before Caine could question her more Peter walked back to them.

"What did I miss?"

"Nothing," Aurora said quickly.

"Okay," Peter said sarcastically.

He leaned down and cuffed the attacker. Then he pulled off his mask. The man had shoulder length dark brown hair, pulled back into a low ponytail. He had a large nose, and a very square jaw. He looked like he should be in the army.

Peter stood back up, and looked at Aurora. All the color had drained from her face, and she was trembling.

"What is it? Do you know him?"

Aurora tried to swallow the bile that was rising in the back of her throat. "I don't feel so good." She stumbled backwards and Peter caught her.

"Take it easy," he told her.

"Can we get out of here?" She asked letting Peter support most of her weight.

"We have to wait for the cops to get here, but you can sit in the car okay?"

She nodded.

Peter and Caine helped her over to the car. Peter unlocked the passenger door, and eased Aurora down. She sat sideways in the seat with her feet still on the sidewalk, and her head against the seat. He put a hand to her forehead. She didn't have a fever, but she was sweating. The sounds of police sirens could be heard close by, but Peter wasn't paying attention.

"Aurora, you have to tell me. Do you know who attacked us?"

"Yeah," she whispered. "His name is Donnivan Estevez."

Before Peter could ask who Donnivan Estevez was Chief Frank Strenlich walked up. He was a balding, overweight man, wearing a tan suit, white shirt, and blue black tie.

"Hey Peter, you guys alright?" he asked.

Peter looked up at him. "Yeah Chief, we're fine. Just a little shook up." He got up, and pulled Strenlich to the side. "Hey Chief listen the guys name is Donnivan Estevez. Tell Kermit to run a check on him and get back to me."

"What's all this about Peter?"

"I can't tell you right now, but can you do me favor and take care of things here? I want to get the kid away from this. I'll bring her to the precinct for a statement later."

To anyone else Strenlich probably would have said no, but Peter was different. He knew Peter always had motives for things like this, and even though he didn't know what was going on, he trusted the young detective.

"You got it, Peter, but make sure you bring her later or it's your ass detective."

"Thanks, Chief," Peter walked back over to the stealth. "Come on Pop, I'll give you a ride home."

Caine nodded. Peter helped Aurora put her legs in the car, and shut the door. The two walked around and got in on the other side. Peter glanced over at Aurora. She was resting with her head back and eyes closed. He didn't disturb her as he started the stealth and left for Caine's apartment, leaving the mass of police cars and news vans behind them.

By the time they arrived at the apartment Aurora was asleep. Peter went around to the passenger side and opened the door. He put her arm around his neck, and gently lifted Aurora into his arms, following his father upstairs. They entered the apartment, and Peter went straight to his Caine's bedroom. The Shaolin Priest may have been old fashioned, but he still used a bed.

Peter gently lowered her to the bed, but was surprised when she clung to him.

"No, daddy please don't go," she said in her sleep.

Peter looked at his father for help, but Caine only shrugged.

"A lot of help you are Pop," he emphasized on pop, knowing it annoyed his father.

Caine raised an eyebrow. "Chastisizing me is not the way to gain my help."

Peter would have replied, but Aurora was becoming extremely agitated.

"Please," she cried. "Daddy, please don't let them hurt me!"

Peter sat down on the bed, leaning against the wall. He pulled Aurora close, and cradled her in his arms.

"It's alright sweet heart," he soothed, rocking her. "I'm here. No ones going to hurt you."

With those words Aurora's grip loosened and she relaxed in his arms, still remaining asleep.

"Where are you going?" Peter whispered as Caine went to leave.

Caine turned to face his son. "I have some things to attend to," he said quietly. "I will return soon. Lo Si should be here soon, if you need anything."

"Great," he replied sarcastically.

Caine smiled and walked out, leaving his son with the sleeping Aurora.