Levi went by Kenny's sordid and run-down house first. He kicked in the door and searched the place. No Eren. He got back in the car and headed toward the club.

The Cadillac's tires crackled on the gravel in the parking lot as he came in too fast. Kenny was here, the Continental sat in front of the front door. Levi got out of the car and faced the double front doors. He went in like a hurricane, slamming both doors back against the wall with a crash.

Kenny and Eren were standing by the bar. Eren looked startled and scared and relieved all at the same time.

"Heeeyyy, brat!" Kenny crowed. "I didn't expect you this soon. The bus doesn't run out this way."

"I'm in Eren's mother's car."

"Well ain't that sweet? Your mother-in-lust is lookin' out for you."

"Oh, just shut the fuck up, Kenny."

"Yeah, yeah, so how's my little grand-niece doin'? She's a cutie. She should be old enough to be in school, right? What school is that, then?"

"You even think about my daughter and I will kill you in your sleep you old fuck," Levi said as evenly as he could.

"Now, now, don't be ugly."

"Give me Eren back. Now."

"I didn't steal him. He's standin' right here, right as rain. He and I just took a little ride, had a little talk. Ain't that right, pretty boy?" Kenny removed his hat and scratched his head.

"Come over here, Eren," Levi said, "By me."

"Ahh, I ain't gonna hurt your fuck-toy, brat. Calm down. I just want you to listen to this sweet job."

"No. I don't work for you anymore. I haven't in years."

"But you need cash, right? I'll bet you're living off of the kindness of your friends, aren't you? We're talkin five hundred here."

Levi had no reply to that and Eren's heart broke at the look that crossed Levi's face; pain mixed with guilt.

"I do alright," Levi muttered.

"So you listenin' to the job or are we gonna dance or what?"

"Eren, would you wait for me in the car?"

"I don't want to leave you alone. Levi, he has a gun."

Levi massaged his forehead, "He always has a gu—wait …" He looked up at Kenny. "You pulled a fucking gun on my—on Eren?" Levi's hands clenched into fists and he stepped toward Kenny. "Did you do this in front of my daughter, you fuck?"

Kenny looked offended. "I wouldn't do that! Not in front of a kid!"

Levi relaxed. "Yeah, you're a real prince. Eren, please wait in the car. I need to talk to this shitheel."

Eren went out the doors, slowly and clearly reluctantly.

After Eren was safely gone, Levi stuffed his hands into his jacket pockets.

"So you found me."

"It took a while but, yep, I did. You want a beer?" Kenny reached around the bar taps and poured himself a Budweiser.

"Fuck off. I'm not here to get drunk with you."

"Fine, fine, you always were a goodie-two-shoes."

Levi shifted from foot to foot. "OK, so tell me about this job."

If Kenny's jaw could have hit the floor it would have. "You gonna take the job?"

"Oh come off it Kenny. You and I both know that if I don't, you will never fucking leave me or my family alone."

Kenny grinned like a hyena. "You countin' that brat as family?"

Levi, who knew it was not wise to give Kenny any advantage in the way of information, stayed quiet. Kenny wasn't fooled. He shook his head. "You always were a hopeless romantic. You think that kid's gonna stick around now he knows you're a criminal?"

"Was," Levi said firmly.

"And poor as a churchmouse to boot?"

"Are you gonna tell me about this job, or what, you old fuck?" Levi growled.

Kenny laughed.

"You want me to steal a shipping container?!"

"Not steal it. Steal what's in it. But you don't have to worry about that. The boys'll do that. I just need you there to keep a lookout, kinda. They're gonna just open it, grab the cargo and leave. Easy-peasy."

"I'm not touching the container. All I have to do is keep watch?"

"That's it."

"When?"

"Thursday. Meet Alejandro behind the 7-11 down from my house on 17th street at 6pm."

"I know the place, asshole. I'll be there."

Eren fidgeted in the car for what seemed like over a half an hour but was actually only about fifteen minutes. It was bitterly cold and snowing and Eren was contemplating turning the car on and running the heater when Levi came out the doors of the club. Levi slid into the driver's seat and cranked the car. He looked over at Eren. "You OK?"

"Much better now."

"Good." Levi pressed the accelerator and kicked up a plume of gravel leaving the lot. "Well hopefully that's the last we'll see of Kenny."

"I can't believe he wanted you to work for him again."

Levi nodded carefully and kept his eyes on the snowy road.

Eren hesitated. "So … what kinds of stuff did you do … for him?"

Levi sighed. "Eren …"

"I know you don't want to talk about it, but … please?"

"Muscle, mostly," Levi said. He glanced at Eren who didn't look as if he was going to accept just that. He sighed again. "I'd go around to people who owed Kenny money and … get it. Act as bouncer at the club. Protect him. That sort of thing."

"You beat people up."

"When I had to."

"Did you ever …" Eren studied his hands. "Did you ever get locked up?"

"I went to jail a couple of times for small stuff. If you're asking about prison, then no, thank goodness."

Eren stared out the windshield, silent. Levi cut his eyes at him.

"I never messed with guns or drugs or prostitution," he said. "I never killed anybody. Can you … can you forgive me?"

Eren just sat there, obviously lost in thought. Levi felt like screaming.

"You were a kid," Eren finally said slowly, "and you got out as soon as you were able." He looked at Levi, "I think you did the best you could. There's nothing to forgive."

Levi looked relieved. "Thank you," he said sincerely.

When they got back to the house they weren't half-way up the walk when Carla and Mikasa came out the front door. Carla ran into Eren's arms and Mikasa ran into Levi's.

"Oh, Eren baby! I was so scared! You didn't say anything you just left with that horrible man!"

"It's OK, mom, we just went for a drive, that's all."

"'Kasa," Levi said worriedly, "Let's get you back in the house, you don't have a coat on."

"But the snow is so pretty."

"It's also fu—really cold."

"Levi," Carla said, "Who was that man?"

"I'll tell you in a bit," he said, nodding his head at Mikasa. "C'mon, the front door's standing open."

When they got to the front step, Mikasa stopped and looked up gravely at Levi. "Papa, was that the bad man?"

Levi and Eren exchanged a sober glance.