A.N. Thanks bunches for reviewing.. I'm not sure if I said before that this is the sequel to my story with Ice. Oh well..

One Month Later:

It had been a hell of a lot harder finding a place to stay and a job than Dagger first thought it would've been. But she'd managed to find a place using the money she'd stolen, and she was able to send Tale to a small school but the money was running out and quickly; which is why she'd taken a job at one of the local bars, called Riley's Pub. It was about an hour walk from their apartment so it was pretty late by the time she got in. Tonight was only her third night working there and she was already having trouble with the customers. Dagger couldn't seem to get used to just letting that go, it wasn't in her nature not to stick up for herself, but that was the only rule. If someone got to be too unruly they'd be thrown out but other than she couldn't do a damn thing to stick up for herself; against people grabbing her or saying crude things to her, she just had to drop it.

It had been especially bad that night, so ad that she'd almost pulled her gun on one of the guys there, but she'd managed to keep her anger under control. Now all she wanted to do was get home and see Tale, to make sure he was alright. It was a long walk home and it was only natural for her to watch her surroundings, keep an eye on the shadows and a hand on her pistol. She didn't hear him or see him but she felt him, the hairs on her neck were standing on end. "Is there a reason you're hiding?"

The cold chuckle sent a shiver down her spine but she managed to hide it. "Just wanted to make sure you got home alright."

Dagger turned in a circle, searching every corner for this mysterious boy, somehow she knew though that if he didn't want to be found, he wouldn't be. "And why is that? Do I know you?"

Again with the chuckle; when he started talking she could almost hear the smirk in his voice. "Nah, we 'aven't been properly introduced, but da Riley's are good friends of mine an' I wouldn't want one of dere new workers hoirt."

Keeping her hand on the gun she began walking again, "I'll be just fine but thanks." A hand reached out and grabbed her shoulder, spinning her around. It was pure reflex to draw her gun and cock it. But in what seemed like a few seconds he had grabbed her gun hand and pointed it towards an abandoned part of the street. "What the 'ell are you doin' with dat t'ing?"

She narrowed her eyes at him and scowled, "I believe its called protection." Even in the dark she could see he was really very handsome but in a cold way.

He shook his head, "Yeah? Well you could end up hurtin' yourself." The hateful glare crossed her features once again but he didn't seem to notice as he took her gun away from her and tucked it into his pocket. "I really don't want to be shot at tonight so I'se 'ill jist give dat back to you once we get to your apartment."

"Why don't you give it back to me now and I'll walk myself."

"What kind of gentleman would I be if I did dat?"

Sighing, she stuffed her hands in her pockets, "The kind that could take a hint." She didn't bother to look over and see his reaction and instead kept walking. He didn't seem like the type to talk much and she was thankful for that. Once they were a few blocks away from where she was staying, she stopped and turned to study the boy. "Thank you dearly now hand over my pistol."

The easy smirk that crossed his face had her fingers itching to form a fist and punch him but she had more important things to think of, like Tale. With that in mind she calmed her anger and waited for him to speak. "We're not there yet."

Her breath caught in her throat and instinct kicked in causing her to go for the only other weapon she carried, her dagger. Which was tucked into her boot, then she launched herself at the boy. Although she wasn't thinking clearly she did register the impact of the fall. They tumbled a bit before he pinned her with her arms above her head. The expression in his eyes was both amusement and cool respect. Not many attacked him twice within a few hours, even when they didn't know who he was. Staring down he studied the girl beneath him, she was far from ugly but she didn't have curly, blonde hair or ice green eyes, her eyes didn't go wide with passion and love when she looked at him. Gasping he shook the memory away and frowns. "Why do you keep doing that? You have to know by now that you won't win a fight with me."

The growl was low and came from deep within her throat. The place she was in, in her head wasn't a dark alley off an empty New York street. She was back in Texas, in the room Jimmy had kept her in and it wasn't a stranger pinning her down; it was the man. the devil who had done it before but he would never do it again, never! She twisted and squirmed, trying to get away from him. He on the other hand held tight and stared, surprised, at her; it was easy to tell from the glazed over look in her eyes that she wasn't seeing him but instead in another place and time. The only thing he could do was keep her where she was and hoped this would pass once she tired herself out. It did pass but then it took her a few minutes to gather herself and when she did he stood and held a hand out to her but she ignored it and stood on her own, absently tucking the dagger back into its place.

Realizes that she shouldn't have just attacked him like that but she had reason. for one he knows where she lives. Studying him she finally caves and asks him what's been bothering her, "What's your name? And how do you know where I live?"

Laughing a bit he leans back against the wall and lights a cigarette, "I know a lot more than just that. Like your little brother goes to school on the next block over, and somehow you have enough money to send him there and pay your rent." Pausing for just a minute, he looks her over, "Spot. my name's Spot Conlon."

Raising an eyebrow, she studies him, "Cute. real cute." With that she turns and continues at a fast pace towards her apartment and doesn't stop outside, instead opens the door and heads up waiting for him outside her door. "Is this close enough?" An overly sweet and sugary tone to her voice, Spot just laughed and turned to head back out, "Hey. you said I'd get it back if you walked me home."

He didn't bother turning only chuckled and continued down, "Check your pocket." Dagger stuck her hand in her pocket and frowned as she felt the cold metal of the pistol in her pocket. "Bastard." Muttering she unlocks the door and heads in, glancing around for Tale, "Devlin?" She heard a small cough and headed towards the bed where he lay, the sight of him worried her, "Are you alright?" He nodded a bit and closed his eyes once more, so she climbed in with him and wrapped her arms around his waist and kissed his temple. She held him close and felt the heat on his forehead but she didn't know what to do so she only held him while he slept.