A/N: Thank you for keeping up. I know it's been a little too long, but I've been very busy. And please forgive me if this chapter seems a little slow on the action side. This is the interaction between Theo and Miley. It's important, so please forgive if it's a bit long but it's vital for the story. The next chapters will be better and more importantly will come sooner.

Gangland Safe house

10:54 a.m.

The next morning

Theo's POV

Water is running profusely out of the tap as it masks my grunts of frustration. I am still trying to wash out the chemicals, still lingering in my eyes from the night before. More importantly, I have something else on my mind. I'm still trying to decide whether or not I should punish Miley for her disobedience. I know I have to maintain complete control of all factors for this to work out.

"Oh to hell with this, try again tomorrow," I said to myself.

As I make my way back to the main room of this hole in the wall my family called a safe house, I turned to the chain locked closet door. Sure, this place had pull out couch and I slept in an easy chair in front of the door, but Miley has to learn. I put her in there and blindfolded her to make sure she didn't try anything again.

Sure it makes sense…

But why the hell do I feel so guilty?

Because of what you did to her, stupid. My conscience reacts.

She sprayed me.

But you scared the s—t out of her.

So? I'm only took her for the family. Their orders.

Then you forced her to sleep in the closet? Who ordered you to do that?

Yeah, but I didn't hit her. That at least makes me a step up from Ryan.

Oh, please the reason you're even debating with me is because I'm aching with guilt.

I realized that fighting my myself on this was useless. My conscience was right, I was wrong.

But it can't make sense. I had been ordered to do terrible things my whole life. Both with the family and while deployed. Why now? Why with this?

I realized that I had to remain strong, so I focused on a different task to get my mind off things. Miley went to sleep at around four and I've been up since then, cleaning my guns. So that's what I continued to do, but I couldn't shake the feeling that maybe I was too hard on Miley, no matter how much I convinced myself.

I just want this to end soon. Hell, its not even the first day and I'm already getting tired of this.

"Oh, hell…" I said.

I know I need some music. That'll take my mind off of Miley. She won't be up till afternoon comes anyways. Some oldies will do some good.

As if it the conscience had secretly conspired with the radio to make me suffer more. I recognized the first song that I fully paid attention to was…

Stupid Boy by Keith Urban.

Oh, Lord no, I thought as I listened to the whole song, realizing the full impact of its message. As soon as it was over, I quickly changed the channel to hard punk rock. I thought that'll help me

It didn't.

As if Edgar Allen Poe had written The Tell Tale Heart just to foretell what I would feel, the more time that had past since Keith Urban's song finished playing on the radio, the further the song would go in my head. It played back from the beginning and only got louder as it went on. Its lyrics drowning out my head. The song mercilessly resonating in my ear drum and cerebrum. My conscience forcing my heart to beat as if it was the metronome that set the pace of the song. No matter how much I tried to stop that, I couldn't.

Theo had since slowed down cleaning since his argument with himself, but now stopped rest his forehead into his hand, trying to cope.

My iron will and had betrayed me and abandoned my heart. It was now exposed to the bear the ravages of my conscience unhindered.

Then I began to think of Miley more seriously. This actually does greatly help but has an unintended effect.

Theo thinks…

If none of this would have happened…what would have happened? I hid it well, but I was surprised and scared for Miley when I caught Ryan trying to face rape her. Sure I sounded indifferent and professional, but I swear to God, I felt something I shouldn't of have…

If I had to do it again, I would have happily killed Ryan on the spot and then…

Then what? What the hell was it that you were going to do?

I…I don't know? (amazingly)

Rescue? Rescue?!

Sorry, bad habit.

From what? Miley's just a girl. She's not special.

That's the point! You of all people should know she's not special. It's all too common.

Not my business.

Oh, don't give me that horses—t hear no evil, see no evil.

That's why your gonna leave after all of this.

Oh, yeah, than explain the abuse I doled out?

You didn't abuse her.

Sure I did, I bullied her into submission.

To get her to obey you.

I took an unarmed girl, broken from abuse, and I shoved a gun into her to get her to do what I wanted. I'm no better. Maybe she would have been better polishing Jake's knob.

So? You told her that you weren't going to do anything else.

But I did!

I'm sure she knows. You brought her here remember. She's heard you say it over and over again. Besides you know better than her. Maybe there's something she could learn from you…

So I think I know what we have to do now, hmmm. It'll be nice if you could show Miley and maybe she'll learn.

Anything to quell my conscience.

This time I had won against my duty bound brain.

Damn.

I didn't want to but I was right. I had to help Miley. I give up.

Just then my cell phone rung. A message appeared. I looked at the time and I knew what it was.

"Breakfast," I said to myself reading the message.

I knew what to do. I took my gun and quickly unlocked all of the door locks and opened it. Sticking my gun out before my head, I peeked out and greeting me was a large remote control toy pickup truck. In its back was a big McDonald's bag. It was being driven by remote to my door compliments from my family. I figured they'd stayed in the safety of a vehicle hidden far away.

I quickly snatched the bag and shut the door.

Up to now I had been pretty composed and somber. That was until my phone rang.

"Theo, this is Tom. Start the clock."

The message had been delivered.

I could hold it back no longer. I collapse into an easy chair and I stare into space. A wave of regret has landed and has taken hold of my mind.

Thud

Click I instantly drew and cocked my gun and pointed it to the source of the noise.

But I was relieved to realize that it was the closet.

I rush to open it, because I can hear Miley groan inside still asleep.

Theo opens it and Miley is jolted awake. She is sitting on the floor facing the door, blindfolded. She is in pain, but not because of anything I did. Her face crept with pain as she slept, as she kept unconsciously trying to finger the friendship bracelet Lily had given her, the one that wasn't there anymore.

She wakes up.

"Si..Sir…I was just…"

Miley looked up and her expression changed.

"Sir, please don't….please don't hurt me. L…Last night…I was stupid, I was foolish, I was…"

"Being human," I interjected, shutting her up like I wanted to, as I offered her a hand with an understanding nod yet maintaining a monotone voice.

I could see Miley was unsure of trusting me. I try to reach her by pointing out that…

"I have food. Come, you have to eat"

Miley thankfully warms up to me. I didn't think my conscience could get any more strained.

We both quickly make our way to the table.

I wasn't really hungry so I just resumed cleaning my guns.

Miley at first was hesitant when I say down but, but when I looked up again I saw her devour the breakfast sandwich with ferocity.

I offer her the orange juice that came with it as an attempt as a sign of peace.

She just looks up at me as her eyes screams at gratitude to me for not hurting her.

Yet, despite how hard I try, I can't help but notice Miley, who keeps glancing up at me just long enough for me to see her try to look back down. It's as if she wants to say something to me, but what is she so afraid of?

Right, stupid question.

The next two minutes had to have been one of the most drawn out two minutes of both our lives. It's as if Miley, was making me suffer in silence. I knew she just wanted to lash out. Say something. But it's as if she is eating her breakfast extra slowly to draw out a point. Like tearing off duct tape over a hostage's mouth ever so slowly. I'm convinced that killing me softly was the goal of her eyes and the silence she chaperoned in the room.

Most disturbingly

It was actually working.

But why am I affected at all? This is ludicrous. Is she really trying to tell me something?

Miley's POV

I'm so relieved that it's over. The pain stopped.

As I look down at my breakfast I do the only thing I can…

Think happy thoughts.

I close my eyes and I…

Think about when I moved to Malibu and how I met Lily…

She stuck up for me when Amber and Ashley were making fun of the fact that I just came from Tennessee.

And Oliver, that doughnut, trying to get Becca to date him, but he couldn't have really loved her.

Lily told me so.

Then why did she…

No! C'mon darlin think about good times.

Thinking about how I used to chase Jackson around the house, or how I used to jam with dad at night. Just me, him and the stars above.

About mom.

About…

Theo's POV.

For some reason I feel the urge to say something. But what?

What exactly?

Theo clears his throat.

"So…um….(clears throat)…you a fan of Chinese?"

Miley looks up surprised. She of course was in the middle of cheering herself up.

"Huh?"

"Food!…F…Food that is"

"Yeah I guess," Miley replied, although not meekly, but still subdued.

I tried to use the Grauman's angle. Trying to break the silence. It was either this or continue to have Keith Urban strum and sing in my head. I'd rather have the former, or else put my own head through a wall. Anything but being reminded of being a "stupid boy."

"So you have a good time at Grauman's"

What on earth was I asking? God, I sound pathetic, here I am holding her captive and the best I can do is remind her about the evening. She doesn't remember stupid. Didn't you see what went down?

Miley remained silent. Not wanting to respond because she didn't know him that well to tell him about her night without risking reprisal, she just looks at Theo.

I try to continue…

"I heard the place was spruced up real nice like…yeah… something"

Miley speaks up…

"Why did you do it?" asked Miley.

I freeze. For the first time in this whole ordeal, I don't know how to respond. I'm convinced she wants to know why she's even here. At least she's entitled to know why she is still here. At the very least she wants proof her father was behind this.

What Miley asked next surprised Theo.

"Why did you kill my Jake?"

Is she serious? She didn't know why I had to kill Jake. It seemed like only common sense. By now I had long since finished breakfast, and was now finished cleaning my guns. I clear my throat again and am about to speak.

I mean to try to express regret …

"He didn't deserve this. He's really not like…," continued Miley.

Now, I'm agitated out of sheer frustration.

I had gone from understanding to disbelief. I had thought that Miley wanted to know why her or why couldn't I have taken her without lethality.

But what has agitated me was the fact that she still is defending Ryan's behaviour. Defending Ryan's actions

It's like she had just watched me shoot a nun.

I try to calm down as I try to be patient. At the very least to keep things between us from being too familiar.

"Why did you stay?"

"What?"

I couldn't believe it. I was hoping I wasn't right about that. She was amazed that I couldn't understand how she couldn't bear to leave Jake's side.

This girl was naïve.

"Why stay with Ryan. I wouldn't have had to take him down."

She cautiously give me a look in response.

Correction, this girl is painfully naïve.

But my patience is waning. This girl knows nothing about reality.

"It's not like he valued you or anything"

Miley gave me an incredulous look, trying to prove how wrong I was to me.

"Jake, LOVED me!" protested Miley, in an incredibly spirited voice.

"Wrong! Jake loved to hurt you"

Miley looked at Theo, almost defiantly as she is amazed at how Theo could say that about her Jake?

I see Miley look at me and open her mouth but shuts it again. I take this as a good sign. I could be reaching her. Miley seems caught.

"Jake didn't mean it. Besides he's been through a lot."

"And takes it out all day everyday on you," retorted Theo.

"You don't understand he's not like, I swear."

"Miley, time doesn't lie, you're body doesn't lie, so why do you?"

I try to reach Miley by casually referring to the marks on her body. Time had eventually washed off all the thick layers of makeup, there to masking the evidence of abuse on Miley's body.

Miley looks down at herself and sees the many bruises and marks of purple.

Both Theo and Miley knew that this wasn't from Theo or the gang he got rid of.

The marks are pale; tell-tale signs of severe and repeated trauma from days ago.

From the zombie slayer himself, Jake Ryan.

Miley starts up again.

"How do you know this."

"Miley, I know a lot of things about you…and soon enough you'll see your father…so go yell at him," Theo says, snapping at the end.

Miley looks at me but then bows her head. She concedes defeat in this argument, but feels that she could win a point.

"Jake could've changed, he really could've, I could've helped him change."

This made sense to Miley. While Miley was in middle school Jake was a cocky snob. Then during high school he had become more genteel and considerate.

But Theo knew better. Amazingly he had some knowledge of the history of Miley and Jake in high school. And he actually made it a point to learn it.

But really it was because he was all too familiar with it.

"Men like Jake Ryan don't change. They either stay sharp or grow lethal. But they don't change," Theo stated with conviction.

Miley then thought again. But this time to try avoid dealing with Theo's observations, which to Miley was beginning to sound more and more valid with every passing one, she makes it a point to think about Theo.

She was almost amazed. What Theo had said in the alleyway when trying to convince her had stunned her.

But what was most stunning was that it wasn't an act. He meant it? Did he really?

Or was it Miley trying to convince herself.

But why would she try to convince herself?

"But in high school, he loved me, he showed me…"

"He showed to off to all his friends. That's when things were good, when he was good," interrupted and confirmed Theo.

Miley nodded in amazement.

"Otherwise he would just bask in the radiant attention the world could give him."

Miley was close to breaking down. She never wanted to confront this reality. Yet what Theo said was so very true. She wasn't dumb, but she had always been held on her naïve belief that he would change. Yet Theo was being so harsh to her, not because he did anything wrong, but because the absolute truth seemed too hard for Miley to cope with. Yet Theo was in the right all the while. And Theo seemed adamant to make Miley see.

Yet Miley had to, at least one more time try to make Theo understand.

"Men like you don't understand…"

Theo's POV.

That was it. I had enough of Miley being so naïve, I was gonna give her a piece of my mind by giving her a piece of my life experience.

Theo starts booming. Yet with a compassionate boom, for the right reasons.

"I understand damn well, more than you can ever imagine!" I began forcefully, "can't you see, can't you see how much of a f—king fool you are?"

Miley froze at my loud outburst. But I wasn't finished.

I calm down.

"You're White. You're American. You have no idea what you have and what you lost all these years, do you?"

Miley froze and just looked at attention.

"Let me guess. You moved away from family at a young age. Probably against your father's wishes. And you let Jake Ryan take advantage of you to the point where you have no friends, no life, and no visible hope. And you do it willingly"

This was not because Theo was aware of Miley's history. But he had read Miley like a book. The same tragedy he had read in the lives of others, he dealt with.

"Willingly?" she questioned only partly understanding.

"Yes, willingly. And let me tell you something…it pisses me off to no end to hear about you defending Ryan. You have a choice."

"What do you know about choice?" Miley challenged, yet refraining from incurring my wrath.

"I know damn well about choice."

Calming down.

"I spent years helping my folks take it away from other people"

I froze. Dammit. I had probably just let out something about the family I shouldn't have. Luckily I don't show it at all. Yet despite my brain screaming at me to drop this, something deeper making me go on. But I can't let another girl go down like the others.

Why you ask?

My heart? My conscience?

"Other girls? …" asked Miley.

"No," I replied, "women. I condemned."

"Condemned?" she asked, genuinely curious.

Damn, there's no stopping me now. Yet something in me makes me feel that I have to justify myself to her.

Guilt? Release? I don't know anymore. I don't care either.

I try to change the subject. Or at the very least give background.

"Guys like Jake are all the same. Think that the world revolves around their problems. Little men, masters of the universe. Thinks the world owes them something. Believing that life is hard only on them. Only when girls like you service yourself to them do they believe more and more in that. A girl to kiss their boo boos and suck their d-cks. Self absorbed completely incapable of any empathy, going outside wanting to strike back at the world which they find too, too cruel. Only to go after the girls who stay, because anyone else would hit back. Ryan needs you to feel important.

Miley was absolutely flabbergasted and frightened. Theo had painted a horrifying portrait of a life. Yet what scared her was the realization that it was not a portrait at all. It was a mirror. After all of this, she should have been able to continue denying that was. The one thing preventing her from doing that was the fact that it was her life

Teddy had done no wrong. He had amazingly retold Miley what, till now, she refused to believe. The story of herself and what she had become. This despite only knowing a bit of specifics of Miley. But still questions remained.

"But, how do you know…"

Theo wasn't ready for that question. But Theo wanted to built credibility, so he reveals something he may come to regret to reveal…

"Ever heard of mail order brides?"

"Yeah," Miley intently listens to me.

"My 'people' provided it. A front for people trafficking."

"People?"

"That's right people."

"Why?," she asks me.

"Because normally to get a 90 day fiancé, you have to pass checks and balances. Kinda like adoption. They wanna see that not out to buy a slave."

"And you…"

"Gave the Ryan's and the other would be horrible men of the country a way to skip all of this. We supplied them with subservient bitches."

I could tell Miley was shocked and even outraged at this. More importantly, she was beginning to believe me as my credibility shot up by what I had just told her, and what I am going to tell her. Good, maybe now she'll recognize. Lincoln didn't free the slaves in this country. Well, not the modern slaves anyway.

"We took the most vulnerable, uneducated, and weakest women, smuggled them here, a country which they are completely unfamiliar with and threw these, invisible to society, sheep to the wolves."

"Really?"

"Yes, really. And the boss gave me my 'special' job to provide such 'wonderful' services, such as intimidation, cover up, and disposal in the end. So that in the end; we could it all over again.

Theo finishes slowly and softly.

"In the only business in the world where there is no pride, no philanthropy…only casualties."

Miley had listened intently as Theo began to wrap up his case.

"So don't you tell me I don't understand. I understand more than you can ever comprehend. You had everything for you, and you still stayed? The 'dolls' that I sold had lost everything and had nothing, stripped of dignity. So you see what I'm trying to tell you?"

Miley nods.

Theo continues one last time.

"$35,000, the going rate for each body and each soul."

Theo then turned away and continued under his breath half hoping Miley wouldn't hear.

"Their bodies and pieces of my soul. I've been paid to give away both for too long"

Unbeknownst to Theo, Miley heard all of it. She never forgets this. She asks him.

"Then why all this? Why…"

"Why am I holding you? Just so you don't get the wrong impression of me, the fact that I'm holding you is only because I'm doing what I have to so I can leave all of this"

I leave it at that. Miley seems satisfied to me.

Then just as an act with no real reason, I try to put on my balaclava, but a lot of the hair dye residue is still soaked in it, thus I quickly change it for a bandana concealing over my nose and mouth. Then I take off Miley's blindfold.

Unbeknownst to Theo, Theo had proceeded to reveal a bit more of his face to Miley by wearing only a bandana around his mouth. And Miley not only noticed it, but took it to heart.

Theo continued on to himself.

Indeed Theo recalled his time where his father would take him while 'working.' Too often he had to clean up the mess from the patriarchs who were not above using severe physical violence against women. This whole cultural attitude had given his family power. But it was this attitude that disgusted Theo. No matter how hard he tried he couldn't even tolerate it, much less live comfortably while it provided him with a decent income.

Miley's POV.

It was when Teddy took off my blindfold, then I was finally able to see the light.

No, much more than sight.

But see as in a clear mind.

What Teddy had revealed to me had come as an absolute shock to me. In this day and age? But then again why would Teddy lie. About all this. I can tell by his face, it's hurting him to say this. Hurting him too much, way too much to be a lie.

I look up. I can see that Teddy had closed his eyes before refraining from going on some more.

He is hurting. Yet he is relieved. Probably because he told this to no-one else.

Yet, why am I so…happy for him.

Maybe because he's right about me? I could have better.

Wait, I want to have better

I have to have better.

I need to have better.

I had completely underestimated Teddy. He's been through a lot. Yet he revealed all this…for me? To help me?

But no matter what I'm gonna listen. I feel like I have to. At the very least, he won't kill his only listen girl.

But I am absolutely amazed. Teddy seems so mature and he seems to genuinely want to help me understand. No wait, he does want to help me understand.

And everything he says is gold.

True gold.

Theo's POV.

Yet after I said all of that. Something hit me.

It hit me just as the satisfaction in myself wanes.

Why am I so intent on making Miley see, again?

Why do I care whether Miley understands what I do and learns from me?

I'm only here to hold her as ransom?

Then why the hell did I…?

Why do I care…?

I couldn't bear to try to answer these questions. And yet I'm supposed to be the brave man. But I knew that pursuing these questions would give me more anguish than the dye treatment to my eyes. Thus I stop it.

Yet at the same time I can't ignore the feeling of satisfaction that I feel throughout me. It is as if I had just released the weight of the world from my shoulders. And made a small difference in…

Yet Theo can't bring himself to believe the real reason he had the talk to Miley. Theo needed an outlet to let this out. He had lived with this for too long in silence. Yet he still is in the dark on why he told this with such conviction to Miley. He couldn't believe he cared for her well-being enough. After all the first thing he told Miley was how her well-being came a distant second to the ransom.

Eventually both Miley and I grew tired of talking. Miley by now had just finished breakfast and was idly sitting waiting for me to make the next move.

I then realize something…

I haven't said my rosary for today.

Well this is as good a time as any. Plus it's good to say the rosary to reflect after all this.

As I pull out my rosary, suddenly the mood in the room changed. Miley went from contemplation to recollective horror as her eyes widen in fear at the sight of what I held in my hand.

Surely by now, it wasn't me. But its only later I begin to realize what Miley was seeing.

My Rosary.

As I pull in up towards me to start reciting, to my surprise.

Miley begins to go berserk.

She pulls back in her chair and cringes, losing balance.

She is tearful and physically struggling with herself and very softly pleading to no one. And doing so in a childish voice and manner.

"No, No, Please, please don't. Please doooon't (bawling)…stop it stop please stop hurting meeee."

At first I thought she was suffering from a seizure. That was until the pleas. Then I thought it was a nightmare. But how could that be? She was awake.

Had she gone mad?

I leap to her side and try to physically control her, yet giving her room so I may find what is wrong with her. Yet she continues to struggle. In fact when I inadvertently bring the rosary in my hand very close to her.

She lets out a scream and struggles with me to push it away.

"LEAVE ME ALONE! NOooo, NOooo, STOP IT! STOP IT!...MOM…MAMA, HELP, please help me! PLEASE…"

At that moment she continues to struggle but in a much slower more futile motion.

I begin to realize what the cause was. I had to get rid of it.

I rapidly kiss my rosary, asking for the Holy Mother's forgiveness, right before I throw it away to the far corner of the room, rapidly discarding it and trying to get control of Miley.

Like I had guessed, the discarding of the rosary had calm Miley down, as if it brought her back from a seizure.

Miley had calmed down but was still frightened to the point where, yet again, she was again in the fetal position.

I cradle her as best as I can, yet she only gradually lets me by relaxing as she realizes more and more that I discarded…

The rosary?

What was that about?

She is still trembling and quietly calling out her mother. I look around at the knocked down chairs and dishevelled mess Miley made. And I remember something that may help her.

I pull something out of my pocket. Something that I had been working on the night before after Miley went to sleep.

A small friendship bracelet.

I had noticed that Ryan had inadvertently ripped it off and discarded it when he was forcing himself onto Miley in Grauman's alley.

It was broken and the charms had been let loose on the ground pavement.

What Miley didn't know was that I had secretly collected all the charms and re- assembled them the night before today.

When I offered it to Miley, she seemed stunned.

After two minutes, her face relaxed and Miley had realized what it was.

And she showed me a great sense of gratitude for it.

She was truly amazed at what I had done. Her eyes widen and she gives a bright and sweet smile. She very slowly looks at me with her hazel eyes and mouths the words 'thank you' when she finishes being amazed and realizes it fully.

Not only was I able to re-assemble it but…

truly only by the grace of God was I able to re assemble it exactly the way it was before.

Lily and Miley block charm letters and charms all in the same order.

Skilfully re-arranged and re attached to the degree where there was no hint of it ever being broken in the first place.

At that moment, Miley had taken the next few minutes collecting herself, by lingering in my arms longer.

I couldn't help it but feel a little flushed…flushed? Why? Am I tired?

"Nah. I can't be feeling what I think I'm feeling," I dismissed to myself, "I'm just relieved that no one noticed…"

Oh to hell with the excuses. I'm too tired for this.

Thankfully my phone rang. And I continue to hold on to Miley while answering it.

"Hello,"

"Ted, this is Tom. Something came up"

"What?"

"You, bro. You rocked the world of three Black girls last night didn't you? Is the package ok?"

"Yeah, she's fine. Now. You heard about that? Did you get that word first?"

"No, CNN did you dope."

"What?"

"Ok, not CNN, but still the heat is on, media and police. No one heard or saw, but still it's getting too hot. We arranged for a few cops on our side to sidetrack the search. In the meantime, you have to change venue."

"Where?"

"Big five in Deagle town"

"Ok, I'll pack ASAP. I'll call when I reach the city."

"We'll be waiting"

Click

I run through my mental checklist of what will come next. Miley is regaining her composure and I could see a little embarrassment from her face. But the more important matter, why the freak out, would have to come later. When we locked eyes, her eyes pleaded with me not to ask her about it. And I didn't push. At least not now.

But why a rosary?

I was certain it was the rosary. But, I didn't understand, but I was determined to find out the truth.

A/N: I know, I know it's a bit drawn out and not much action. But please tell me what you think. Any encourage any constructive review on absolutely any aspect. All is welcomed.

What did you think of Miley's enlightenment?

And what was the deal with the rosary to Miley…hmmmm…

Past? With Jake…or well before him...you'll just have to wait to find out.

Please Review

GFMarshall