Cold

Wanting to be as quick as possible, Stu rushed down the dark hallway. He knew Drew wouldn't mind if he borrowed a pair of his girlfriend's shoes for Katie. He just hoped they would be a similar size and Brandy wouldn't mind. Stu would buy her another pair, just like he would replace Katie's for her when he had the chance.

Passing the living room he clocked sight of a pair of black flat pumps. They were as good as any. He had no clue about fashion but Katie wouldn't complain. He swiftly picked them up and headed back down to the bar.

A plan was what he needed. Rarely would he be without one, but he hadn't expected to be blindsided by a blonde and thrown off track. Stopping by the entrance of the bar, he felt something was off. Katie wasn't where he had left her. The shoes in his hands were quickly set down on the floor and his gun pulled out from the back of his trousers.

Stu stepped further into the room, trying to see into the darkness towards the far end of the bar. Katie wouldn't just leave. He could read her like a book. She liked to put on a front - needing him one minute and pushing him away the next.

Turning into the main bar area Stu felt a waft of movement beside him. An elbow clipped him in the chin, followed by a thunderous fist to his abdomen. Pain splintered through his body as he flew across the floor. The grip on his gun loosened with the force and skidded across the wooden floor. He was picked up by the collar of his shirt and thrown across the bar. Glasses and bottles smashed under his weight, shards of broken glass digging into his back as he crashed onto the floor.

His body throbbed with pain. Being caught blindsided wasn't in his agenda. He didn't have to see the man to know who it was. Farrelly. And as he came towards him again, Stu sent his fists flying. Right then left, making Farrelly stumble backwards. Reaching for the bar he pulled himself up and looked around the dark bar. He needed to make sure Katie wasn't hurt - god forbid anything happened to her under his protection.

When he spotted her in the corner of the bar anger boiled inside of him. He could tell she was shaking, her body huddled into a ball to try and stay away from the danger. He had no clue if Farrelly had touched her, but if he had he would make sure he got his revenge.

"What the fuck is goin' on down 'ere?" The thick Scottish accent that ripped through the tension filled air made Farrelly spin around on the spot. Even though the man was 270 pounds of muscle, he could move pretty quick.

Drew hadn't expected two men to be brawling in his bar, Stu could tell that by the look on his face. But Farrelly quickly barged past him, pushing him into the wall before dashing out the back door he'd broken into, no doubt into a waiting car.

"Get back here you bastard!" Stu couldn't let him get away. Not when he was this close. But his vision blurred and pain coursed through his body as he stepped forward. His knuckles turned white with his death grip on the bar counter, only just stopping himself from toppling over.

"Stu, what the hell are ye' doin'?" Drew was by his side - a shoulder to lean on if he ever needed one.

"I'm fine, thanks for asking." Stu winced and clapped Drew on shoulder.

Needing to get to Katie, he staggered across the dark bar to the booth she'd taken shelter in. Her eyes were wide, the same as they had been when he'd chased her. The tables were turned now though - he wasn't probing her for information, he was protecting her from a ruthless thug that needed to be put behind bars.

"Did he hurt you?" He couldn't ask the question any other way. Maybe he was being a little insensitive especially with the state she was in.

"No he just threatened me." Katie whispered, too still too scared to speak. Her words still made him blind with rage. He needed to punch something or someone.

"I shouldn't have left you on your own."

"I didn't know what to do." Even in the darkness, Stu could see her eyes glistening. Shit. She'd been crying. He needed to get her out of her and away from Farrelly. "Are you okay?"

Concern filled her voice and she reached out to touch his bruised face. His lip was split and bleeding, no doubt looking worse than it actually was. "It's nothing."

"Bennett ye owe me, look at the fuckin' mess in 'ere!" Drew was still creeping around the bar, kicking around bits of broken glass.

"Did you leave Brandy on her own?" Stu shot back.

"Ah, fuck." Drew skirted around the bar quickly, ready to get back to his girlfriend. With Farrelly roaming about, no one was safe.

"Wait, I need to borrow your car." Stu helped Katie up but kept her close to his side.

"Ye goin' to wreck it like ye did the last time?" Drew gave an angry snarl before reaching into the jeans of his pocket. He pulled out a set of keys and took one off the ring. Throwing it Stu's way he said, "Ye owe me."

"Thanks, mate." Stu felt himself leaning on Katie as he walked with her through the bar. Spotting his gun on the floor he bent down to pick it up, met with a splintering pain through his body.

"Oh my god, your back." He felt Katie beside him, hands roaming his injured body. He knew blood was soaking into his shirt, but it was just superficial. No real damage.

Again he said, "It's nothing." And grabbed hold of his gun, gritting his teeth and standing straight.

"You are crazy." He took a firm grip of Katie's arm and stopped her before they got near any of the broken glass scattered on the floor.

"You need to be careful." He nodded towards the glass and before she could move an inch closer to getting her bare feet cut, he picked her up. A little yelp left her lips but it with nothing compared to the groan of pain Stu wanted to let out. All he needed was a little bit of time and he'd be back to one hundred percent again.

"Be careful." Katie whispered against his neck and Stu couldn't help but grin. Whether she liked it or not, she cared. Glass crunched beneath his heavy steps as he moved to the back of the bar.

"I don't know if they'll fit, but I thought those would do." Stu set Katie down next to the black pumps he had found. It didn't matter if they fit or not anymore - he'd get her into the car and away from here as quick as possible.

Katie slipped them on, delighted that they were only a little bit too big for her. "Thank you. Are you taking me home?"

Her eyes pleased with him but he couldn't give her a straight answer. "That depends on whether Farrelly is still around."

"What does that mean?"

"He might follow me, and there's no way in hell I'm leading him to your place."

"Oh."

"Are you sure you're alright?" Stu asked before they left the bar. His hand cupped the back of her neck, tugging her forward so he could see her better. She gave a small courteous nod but didn't say anything. He hoped he hadn't scared her anymore. "Come on then."

"Wait! Do you need to go to the hospital?"

"No." His voice was gruff and hoarse as he answered. "Trust me, I've suffered worse."

Sensing her reluctance to leave, Stu took a deep breath. He needed all of his strength to get through the night. Tucking her close into his side, he hurried her out. It was the only way he'd get her out without her stalling again.

"The black SUV over there is Drew's, don't stop and do exactly as I tell you." He eyed his suit jacket still clutched in her hands. "It's cold out."

Taking his jacket from her, he wrapped it around her shoulders before making her slip her arms through the sleeves. It looked ridiculous on her; huge, baggy and far too long, but it would keep her warm. Stalking his way over to the car, Stu stayed close to the building, using the dark shadows to conceal him. Please that Katie was right behind him staying as silent as she could. Once the car was unlocked he pushed Katie forward towards the passenger side door.

"Get in." She did as she was told and after giving the area another quick search, Stu was in the driver's seat and on his way away from the bar.

He glanced over her way before checking the mirrors again. Still no one was around. Katie looked anxious, wringing her hands together each time they turned a corner. She watched the mirrors too, making herself more and more paranoid the further they drove. He needed to take her mind off things.

"So you think I'm hot?" He wanted to kick himself for even bringing that up, but it got her attention off the mirrors.

"What?" Katie gasped.

"That's what you said outside of the bar." Despite everything, Stu smiled and looked over at Katie.

Katie remained silent for a moment but Stu knew she was watching him. She bit her lip with nervousness before she said, "Yeah, but look at you now."

Stu rubbed his thumb across his lip. The blood had dried and he still looked a state, but he didn't look that bad. "You wouldn't say no." He winked and turned his attention back to the road. He needed to concentrate – granted it was hard with Katie right beside him – Farrelly could turn up anywhere. Despite his size, he liked to pop up unexpected.

"Stu are you even going to tell me why Farrelly wants to kill you?"

Could she read his thoughts? Surely he didn't give away that much – he'd trained to have a poker face like steel. He knew he'd have to tell her sooner or later, it was the least she deserved.

"That's because I'm after him." His grip on the steering wheel tightened with his words, "I'm a bounty hunter."

A/N – Thank you boston246, xj0j0x, ThatGirl54, prettybaby69, charmedbyortonbarrett and Shamaness1171 for the reviews :) Lou x