Shooter's P.O.V

I was sittin on the bed in Mort's room when Clover came up. Everythin was fallin inta place an' it didn't seem like anythin could go wrong. Clover was pregnant an' I was 'mosely sure that Shadow was. I would have a child ta follow in my footsteps.

"John," Clover's voice came an' it pulled me out of my thoughts of my good plans.

She had come inta the bedroom an' was lookin at me wif wide eyes. It looked as if she was terrified ta death.

"Are you alright?" I asked gettin ta my feet.

"I'm fine," she said walkin over ta me. "I was just wanted to talk to you about something."

"Is this about the baby?" I questioned.

"Yes," Clover nodded. "Infact it isn't just me that wants to talk to you about it. Mort and Shadow are waiting downstairs."

"So they know?" I asked. "Did you tell them?"

"No," she said. "They must have figured out on their own. I didn't say anything."

"Alright," I said standing up. "I'll answer whatever questions they have."

This seemed ta make Clover happy 'cause summa the tension in her face disappeared. I followed her out of the bedroom an' downstairs. We walked inta the kitchen. Mort an' Shadow were sittin at the table talkin. They stopped when we walked inta the room.

"What is this about?" I asked.

"We know what you are up to," Shadow explained. "And we know why you wanted Clover and me here in the first place."

"Very smart of you then," I said smilin.

"The thing is," Clover perked up. "The thing is they are saying you are using me to get the baby."

Oh on. I had hoped that this wouldn't happen but I knew it would happen. I guess you could say that was true. I had used Clover at first. I knew that she would love me an' that she would give me a baby. The baby was all I had cared 'bout in the beginnin. But as time went on I found myself actually fallin in love. How was I supposed to tell Clover that?

"Well…I…" was all I could get out. My mouth was dry an' no words seemed ta want ta come out.

"Just tell her the truth," Mort said. "Telling the truth is always better."

"You didn't use me," Clover said. "I know you didn't. You love me."

I could have bull-shitted me way out of it without tellin the truth but that would only last for so long. I needed ta tell her the truth. If she left me then she left me. It wouldn't be more than I deserved.

"I do love you," I said causing her ta smile. "But when I first met you I didn't. I didn't care 'bout you at all. All I could think about was makin sure I had a child born before Mort died an' took me with him. As the days passed I really found myself fallin in love with you. So I did use you but I'm really sorry I did."

Clover's eyes widdened in surprised and were full of disbelief. She was slowly backin away from me.

"Please just hear me out," I pleaded. "I'm sure you're really upset but please understand that I'm really sorry for what I did."

"Sorry…" she started takin in a mutter but her voice was risin. "You're sorry? You used me and now you're just saying you love me to keep me from getting mad."

"That's not true…" I started but she cut me off.

"Don't you lie to me!" Clover said shakin a fist at me. "You've lied to me before and I'm not going to fall for another one of your lies."

I looked ta the silent Mort and Shadow for some sort of support. They both just shook their heads at me in disapproval. It didn't look like they were goin ta save me from Clover again.

"You got yourself into this," Mort said. "Now it's time for you to get yourself out."

"Please just listen to me," I pleaded looking back at Clover.

"I'm done listening to you," Clover said advanting towards me. "I'm done with you."

No…Clover couldn't leave me. I didn't even care 'bout the baby anymore. All I cared about was Clover. I loved her too much ta lose her. I opened my mouth ta say just that when I noticed the tears runnin down her face. Her face was soaked with tears. Her whole body was treamblin and her hands were clutched tightly.

I was then taken by surprise when she brought up one of her fist and slammed it into my chin. The force of it knocked me back against the stove. Before I had a chance ta even take a breath Clover had grabbed me by the shoulder and thrown me ta the floor. I landed on my back and pain spread through out my whole body.

"How do you like that?" she asked walkin over.

I looked from her ta Mort and Shadow. Shadow was startin ta look worried but Mort was still smirking at me. I guess he thought I was gettin what I deserved. His girlfriend had a softer heart and looked ready to step in. I guess I deserved the beating I was gettin. I had hurt the only person I ever cared about. I don't even sound like myself anymore.

Clover moved to kick me but Shadow jumped up from her seat. She wrapped her arms around Clover's and tried ta pull her away from me.

"He's had enough," Shadow explained. "You've done your job but if you hurt him anymore you'll be sinking to his level."

I silently thanked her but didn't dare ta open my mouth. I knew I had screwed up big time.

"I want out of this house," Clover said gettin control of her tears. "I want to get away from him."

Shadow and Mort exchanged glances. If Clover left that meant Shadow had ta leave and I didn't think she wanted ta leave Mort. Clover didn't say anythin. She just watched Shadow and Mort stare at each other.

"What do we do?" Mort asked seein the problem.

"I guess we don't have a choice," Shadow said still holding Clover. "I have to leave. Clover can't stay here like this. She doesn't want to be in the same house as that asshole."

Asshole? I had never been called that before. Mort was shakin his head.

"I know you don't want me to go but I have to," she said and slowly let go of the girl she was holdin.

Shadow walked over ta Mort and sat down in his lap. They talked in a tone that was too low for me ta hear. After a few mintues of their private talk Shadow stood up. Both of them seemed happy about whatever they had decided on.

"Come on Clover," Shadow said walkin towards the front door. "Let's go. Goodbye Shooter."

I didn't say anythin as I watched the love of my life walk out of the front door. I'm sure any normal person would have been reduced ta tears but I had a feelin that wasn't the last I was goin ta see of her.