A/N: sorry if this is a little choppy...i wrote this at odd intervals during the day.

Chapter Three- Samantha's POV

"Hi, I'm Thomas Magnum."

"Hi," I said as I timidly shook his extended hand. "My name is Samantha."

As he took a seat across from me, I was overcome by fear at the realization of what I was about to do.

I didn't want to lie to him, but I also was unsure if I should tell him everything.

"Mr. Magnum..."

"Call me Thomas." he interrupted.

"Um...Okay. Thomas...I...I need you to protect me." I said, the last part in a rush.

"From who?"

"If you want my help, you have to tell me." he said softly after I hadn't answered for several moments.

He was right; I knew that.

I struggled to hold back my tears, but I was not successful. As the tears rolled down my cheeks, I contemplated what to do next.

He gently took my hand, and I looked up at him.

"I know it's hard to trust someone you don't know, but, I'd like you to give me a chance; I want to help you."

"Who are you running from?" he asked after a few more minutes of silence.

"Before I tell you, I need you to promise me something."

"What?"

"That you won't go to the police...at least not yet."

"I don't think I can promise you that. I'd like to...but I can't."

"Okay." I said, glad that he was being honest with me.

"Will you tell me anyway?"

"Yeah, I guess so." I said reluctantly.

I took a deep breath and said, "I saw my stepfather...commit a crime."

"What kind of a crime."

I paused, unsure of how to answer that.

"A serious crime." I answered vaguely.

He raised an eyebrow at me, but he didn't push for more details.

"Where are you staying now?" he asked, changing the subject.

"Nowhere yet; I just arrived in Hawaii this morning."

"Well, I think you would be safer if you stayed with me. That way, I would be able to ensure your safety...Is that alright with you?"

"Sure...You live on Robin Master's estate, don't you?

"Yes." he said, sounding surprised that I knew that.

I smiled in amusement, glad that I had researched him so extensively.

As we drove to the estate, I felt both relief at the fact that Thomas was going to help me, and anxiety over problems that I was sure would soon surface.

A/N: please tell me what you think!