Author's Note: Glad you like it here's chapter 3!

Of course I was up first, never fails. And guess what? It was 5 am. Just perfect. Not wanting to lay there for another three hours I got up heading straight for the bathroom. I was actually looking forward to my ice cold shower. Making sure I didn't disturb Jack, I tiptoed whenever I moved. I looked over and the poor thing was out cold, I don't think a bomb could have woke the kid. All well she needed the sleep cause today we were going shopping and not just for clothes I might add.

Sure we needed to get her clothes but I found myself smiling at the thought of the other things I was going to get. Been a long time since I held a gun, long time since I enjoyed it. And that was the scary part. I did enjoy it, probably a little to much but I was always rewarded when I brought someone down, made him happy. I knew that this was going to be another test, this time I would have to control it. And not just for my well being but for Jack's as well.

I was an only child so I really don't know how to take care of someone else. I've been on my own such a long time that its going to take some getting use to. But nothing I can't adjust to. Besides it looks as if Jack can take care of herself especially if she can use that hand carved knife of hers.

This was going to be tough no doubt about that but if Jack wanted what I think she wanted then I was going to teach it to her, show her all I know. There was something in her eyes that taunted the back of my mind. Some kind of anger, hatred almost made me want to ask who? Almost. Hate was a good thing if used properly but I think Jack's hate was personal, very personal.

"Marie? You alright?" I was so tangled in my thoughts that I barely heard her. She was sitting up still under the covers watching me grip the hell out of my mug.

"Yea fine. Sleep well?" I directed the conversation away from me so I could get everything back in check.

"Yea first time…." She caught herself and I saw it, had to ask.

"First time?"

"First time that I didn't have any nightmares. You remind me of him."

"Who?"

"Just someone I use to know." Her face fell, eyes watered ever so slightly.

"Oh, well I'm glad you didn't have any nightmares Jack." I stood up and stretched walking over to the roll out bed.

"Thanks." Was all Jack muttered.

"You know I'm here if ya wanna talk, anytime."

"Okay I'll keep that in mind."

"Good now get your ass up! We have things to do, and you are going to start dressing like a young lady." I yanked the covers off her and she groaned throwing a pillow at me.

" I like my baggy clothes! Besides I wouldn't know how to act like one." She insisted trying to change my decision.

"Trust me Jack you'll catch on real quick." I told her throwing her my coat while I pulled on another sweater.

" This is going to be a long ass day." Jack grumbled as she followed me out the door and into the ice pit. I smiled we were making progress.

The clothes shopping was first and Jack just loved it to death. The clothes weren't real girly or anything plus you couldn't go outside in a tank and shorts anyway. She picked out a couple of loose fitting cargo pants that I let her have but I made her try on the sweaters that I liked. She complained the whole time but like I promised she made it out of it alive.

By the end of the day we had many bags, aching feet, and few credits. I heard her stomach growl so the next little eat in I saw we went in and parked it. It wasn't real big but from the number of people in there you thought it would have been. Since it was Saturday and mostly everyone had off they spent what was left of their paycheck on beer. We were seated right away and Jack made a point to be seated in the back. 'What have you been taught Jack? And by whom?' I wonder as we sit and look over the menu's.

"I want the chicken noodle soup and the grilled cheese." She announced with a smile. Jack closed the menu and settled back into the booth her eyes never leaving the people in front of her. I noticed them too when we walked in, two guys, I knew the one he was from the docks. They were paying an awfully lot of attention to us, but especially to Jack.

"You two ready to order?" The waitress stepped in front of me blocking my view.

"Yes. We'll have two chicken noodle soup's and grilled cheese." I answered wanting to get her out of my way.

"Anything to drink?" I looked to Jack who looked in deep thought.

"Chocolate milk." She said and I agreed, making the waitress go put in our order. The two guys were laughing loudly about something and I cringed, not good. The one I knew, Jeff, tipped his glass at us barking out another laugh. What the hell are those two doing? Looking over to Jack I found she was playing with that knife of hers again, twisting it in the palm of her hand like it was paper.

"Where'd you get that from Jack?" I asked and she met my eyes putting it on the table.

"I took it." She held it out to me. Sliding my fingers across the sleek blade, I examined it noting that whoever made it knew what they were doing. It was beautiful, the blade was black so it wouldn't give it self away, the handle was carved perfect to fit your hand, so sharp that it could spilt a hair. While looking it over, I noticed something carved into the top of the handle, R.B.R. Hmmmm who could it be? I handed it back to Jack, my brain trying to place the initials, but I was coming up blank.

"Whose is it?"

"Someone I knew." An answer she gave readily.

"Their name?" Yea I was curious, though curiosity killed the cat.

"Rick." She turned away pointing out our food coming this way. 'Your saved this time Jack but might not be so lucky next time.'

We ate in silence neither not knowing what to say. I didn't mind thought my mind was elsewhere, like where are next stop was. The food was good and Jack again dug into like it was going to disappear. Her clear green eyes lit up when she tasted the chocolate milk. I had to laugh I don't know how she managed the fool people into thinking she was a boy. Her hair was short but was a deep dark brown that made her eyes stick out even more. I felt the air change, and sure enough there was Jeff standing dead in front of me.

"Marie what a surprise, whose your lovely friend?" He slithered over to Jack while his buddy kept an eye on me. I saw Jack reach for her blade, Jeff would kill her if he saw it not to mention is she cut him.

"No." I told her never leaving the guy in front on me.

"Go home Jeff, you're drunk off your ass." I warned as he sat next to her.

"I may be drunk but I no a pretty thing when I see one." His friend made another move towards me and that's when I acted. Jumping up, I kicked his knee out reaching for his gun that was in plain sight of anyone with eyes. His buddy was on his knees when I pressed the gun against his temple.

"Go home Jeff!" I yelled this time, the feeling was back and I had a gun.

"Whoa! Marie shit I was just messing with her. Sides not like you'd give me any, cold bitch." I cocked the gun now pointing it at Jeff my finger itched to pull the trigger, just like it use to be. I realized how much I missed the gun in my hand.

"What did you say?" My tone was calm, daring him to say it again.

"You heard me, I thought I could borrow your little friend for a couple hours break her in for you, so that way when you wanted to play with her she'd be nice and lo…." My finger slipped and the bullet flew out of the chamber lodging into his shoulder. He fell to the ground roaring in pain, shouting all kinds of curses. People fled the store running and screaming as if a bomb just went off I knew we had to move and fast. Running over I patted Jeff down taking his gun and small pistol. Jack came up behind me, a little shook up, but she looked surprised.

"Guess I won't be seeing you on Monday Jeff." I turned to Jack asking if she was alright, all she did was nod with her mouth open in surprise.

"First rule, never underestimate anyone, even me." Grabbing the bags and her we took off out the back door not looking back. My adrenaline was on high and I like it, the feeling was back and I knew if I wasn't careful my past that I tried so hard to get out of would be back. The thing of it was a part of me wanted it back, missed it, craved it……