Disclaimers: I own them not. I play with them out of love, and should you wish to sue me it would be far more profitable for you to let me pay off my student loans first.

L'amore Che Viene dalla Paura (Love that Comes From Fear)

Chapter One

She waited innumerable seconds for the sting that she knew would come, finally opening her eyes when it didn't. The man who'd moments ago been attacking her, who whispered in her ear the things he was going to do to her, who had intended to make a mockery of an act that was supposed to be pure and wonderful, now stood with his arm held harmlessly in midair. A scant second later he had been slammed against the wall on the other side of the alley. He landed so hard that she winced involuntarily, but considering what he'd been trying to do she couldn't muster much sympathy for him.

Her savior had his back turned to her at the moment, but she could tell even from where she stood he was handsome. The dim street lights reflected off of his dark hair, and then he spoke. He kept his voice soft, but it was deep with restrained anger. "The lady said no, it shouldn't be too difficult for you to understand. But let me break this down for you. She said stop, you do. Right then, no questions asked. If I ever catch you doing anything like this again, you are a dead man. If I ever hear about you doing anything like this again, you are a dead man. If I ever suspect you're thinking of doing anything like this again, you are a dead man." Some how the quiet tone was more ominous and frightening that an angry shout. "Do you understand?"

A quick flash of her attackers hand, and he was holding a knife. "Oh I understand. I understand alright. I understand that I'm going to gut your worthless interfering ass, and then let you watch while I give this little bitch what she deserves." She knew she should run, but her feet were frozen and she couldn't move from the spot she stood.

"You know, I thought you were stupid before," He swatted the mans hand, pinching a spot that made his hand go numb and the weapon clatter to the ground. "Now I know you are." He grabbed the man by the throat, and slammed him against the wall so hard that she thought he might well have dented it. "Now I'm going to ask you one more time, do you understand what I'm telling you?"

"Yes…"

"Say I understand."

"I understand."

"Good. Now apologize to the lady for bothering her."

The man said nothing, until the hand around his throat tightened and it became hard to breathe. "I'm sorry I bothered you."

"Try I'm sorry I bothered you ma'am."

"I'm sorry I bothered you ma'am."

"Not nearly as heartfelt as it should have been, but it'll do." With one quick punch her assailant had been knocked unconscious, and he was walking over to her. "Are you alright?" She blinked a few times, and then nodded. "Are you sure?"

"That was amazing."

"It's a talent." He smirked, then frowned as the flickering street lights highlighted the welt on her face. He reached out and tilted her chin up gently, so that he could get a better look. "We need to get you some ice for this, it's going to swell." He put a comforting hand on her shoulder and guided her up to the mouth of the alley, only to swear as he got a good look at her face. Despite the bruises and tear stains, he could tell that she was beautiful. "Damn it, I should have broken something before I knocked him out."

"Do I look that bad?"

"No…but you shouldn't look like this in first place." He paused considering. "Hang on a second." He went back into the alley, and she followed him in time to see him take the mans wallet, flip through it, and pocket something before tossing it into a nearby dumpster.

"What are you doing?"

"I told you I should have broken something. I'm getting his name and address so I can remedy that situation later."

"Not that I don't appreciate the gesture, but you don't have to do that. I don't want you getting in trouble."

He laughed then, until he doubled over. Seeing the stricken look on her face he attempted to catch his breath, and finally righted himself. "I'm sorry…it's just that's the first anyone hasn't rightly assumed that I'm in trouble or causing some in years. But that does bring up an interesting point, what's a nice girl like you doing in a dive like this? Because if the dress didn't give me a clue, then that question did."

"I could ask you the same question…You're not exactly from the neighborhood either."

"Ah…perceptive I see. But I asked you first."

"I was at a party. I saw something I really didn't want to see, so I left and wasn't really paying attention where I was going and ended up here."

"I figured it was something like that…Come with me, I'll get you some ice and take you home."

"Do you mind if I do something first?"

"Depends on what you want to do…but probably not."

"Well that depends on how long you think it's gonna be before talk, dark, and slimy wakes up."

"I'd say we have a few minutes, why?"

"Because…well..you'll see." She bent down, and stripped him of his shoes, sock, shirt, and pants, while the he stood and gapped. "What? Never seen a girl get even before?"

"Impressive…I'd say the punishment fits the crime."

"Well my other idea was to drop him off about twenty miles outside of town and let him walk back like this. But then he'd probably get frostbite, and as loathsome as he is I don't want to have his death on my conscious."

"I don't know…I'm sure some lonely trucker would be willing to give him a ride…for a price."

"But you threw his wallet in the dumpster?"

He raised an eyebrow, and chuckled softly. "You are definitely in the wrong part of town if you don't know there are other things that you can use as payment, little girl."

"What do you me-" Suddenly comprehension dawned, and she blushed deeply. "Oh-"

"Yes, oh…" He took the clothes she'd stolen from her and placed them in the dumpster. He took one last look at the figure before they left. "Are you sure you don't want me to break some his nose or something?"

"I'm sure. I think walking barefoot through the worst part of the city in nothing but his tighty whiteys is punishment enough. But if not I can always get the address from you and send my dad and uncle to scare him to death."

"And how would they do that?"

"With the stuff he's likely up to, two uniformed police officers at his door ought to scare the living daylights out of him don'tcha think?"

"You know, I'm getting the impression that this guy definitely picked the wrong girl to pick on this time."

"Why thank you, but don't think I've forgotten, you never did answer my question about how you got here."

"Pretty much the same way you did. My mom had me at a party, I got bored, went for a walk, and ended up at the right place at the right time."

"Well I'm thankful for your mom's dull party and your timing then."

"You've welcome…" He paused. "You know I just realized, I don't know your name."

"Sami Brady." She stuck out her hand for a hand shake.

"Lucas Roberts." They shook. "Nice to meet you."

"Pleasure to meet you, General…"

AN: Thoughts about this story would be gladly welcomed if you will simply hit the review button. Also if you are a Lumi fan and haven't checked it out yet, stop by Second Chances. It's one of the best sites out there for the pairing.