Sorry for the late up date. I'm running out of ideas for this story and had to think about it for a little bit. Thanks for all the reviews! Again… if anyone wanted to do some fan art… I WOULD LOVE IT!

DAY FOUR

Jack woke to a tangle of inky black curls splayed across his chest, and I tiny warm body pressed into his right side. A small hand was clutched in his own.

Slowly, Jack turned his head to peer down at Sem'. Her pail face was clear of all emotion, and her thick black lashes fanned over her scabbed cheeks. Koshka was wedged under her head.

Jack had never really seen her sleep. A swell of pride filled his chest as he took in her small frame pressed so firmly against his massive one. HE was the reason Sem' slept so soundly.

Jack, for the first time in a long time, had slept through the night. Not plagued by nightmares, or woken up by the sounds of the city. He felt... rested.

Slowly, so as to not wake her, Jack turned on his side to face Sem'. Gently he tugged her into his chest. She mumbled slightly, and stretched her arms up to clutch at his neck. "I like Jack." She mumbled sleepily before once more going still. Small little noises escaping her with every even breath she drew.

A massive smile found its way to Jacks face. Sem' was HIS. Completely and utterly. She let HIM carry her. Grinned at HIM. Cuddled with HIM. He would strangle anyone who tried to touch what was his. And Sem? She. Was. His.

He decided when she got up. When she got food. When she got to take a bath. No one else had the right or luxury. She depended on him in way that he hardly knew.

He knew that today was going to either go one of two ways. His Boss was going to rip into Jack for either killing or maiming Tommy, He still wasn't sure if he had killed the sick little Fuck. Or. His Boss was going to give him and James some type of mindless work. Now that Molotov was dead, all they had to do was dump bodies and that wasn't the hardest thing in the world. It was GOTHAM after all.

Jack hated it when his work would slow down. It left him antsy and restless. That was why he had been making plans. Never would he EVER have to sit around doing NOTHING again. Not with what he had planed.

Sem' only slept for a few more minutes before waking and yawing widely into Jacks chest. She had never slept in the same bed as anyone before. She like it. Jack was REALLY warm and she didn't get cold throughout the night.

"Is there still snow?" She questioned lightly as Jack set her on her feet and began to brush her hair. He sat on the toilet.

Jack hummed lightly, but didn't answer. He didn't feel the need to. Sem' would wait all day for him. He knew it.

Sem' was only slightly put off when Jack didn't answer her. But she soon let it go. Jack just didn't feel like talking was all. That was okay. She was used to people not talking to her.

Instead, she turned to Koshka, who was gripped in her right hand. "Sleep good?" She questioned him lightly.

She was happy. Happier than she had ever been before. Koshka was clean. Jack made sure her hair was always pretty, and Jack had even washed her dress!

Slowly she turned her eyes to Jack. He sat above her on the toilet. He looked bored again. Jack looked bored A LOT. That's was okay too. As long as Jack wasn't mad at her like he was yesterday, she didn't mind.

Her eyes roamed over his torn apart cheeks. They would turn into scars soon. They, and Jacks eyes were her favorite parts about him. His eyes were a very dark brown, and whenever they would settle on her they would soften. He didn't look at her like she was bad, but like he liked her. She hoped he did.

Sem' smiled at Jack when he arched a brow at her. And watched as a small smile pulled at his lips. "What'cha uh... thinkin' about... Doll face?" He questioned in a low drawl.

Sem's smile grew into a grin. "I like Jacks eyes." She stated as she crawled her way into his lap. It took some difficulty, with her leg but as soon as she settled her bottom on his lap, jack closed his arms about her small frame and squeezed her lightly.

"Oh yeah? I uh... I like your eyes toooo" he drew out his words as he nuzzled the top of her head with his nose.

Jack was amazed at how willing Sem' was to be near him. She had willingly pulled her self into his lap and was now clutching at the thick black hoodie he wire as if she were scared he would push her away.

And. She said that she liked his eyes. He wasn't quite sure as to why that small statement affected him so, but it did. His chest gave a squeeze. This time, he liked the feeling that flooded through his chest. A warm, nearly fuzzy feeling that seemed to be linked directly to Sem'.

Sem' rubbed her scabbed over wounds across his chest is a small nuzzle. "Momma never sat with me for this long." She murmured into his chest.

Jack went still at the mention of her Mother. She had mentioned her many times before, but it was always in the past tense. Hack made a note to question James about it when he got here.

Speaking of. Jack stood from the toilet, and resettled Sem' on his hip before reaching into his pocket, and with drawing a pocket watch. It was nearly noon. James should he here any second.

When Jack had spike to him earlier in the day, he had said something about going back to Molotov's place. Saying something along the lines if there being more guns.

Jack left his bathroom, and looked down at Sem' as he walked toward his living room. How would she react to going back to her old home? Would she want to stay? He watched as she played with Koshka then turned her eyes up to his. Like she always did when he stared at her. It was like she knew.

Jack couldn't help but smile back at her when she gave him one of those special little grins that were reserved for him and Koshka. Something told him that Koshka wouldn't mind.

He didn't think she would want to stay there. That house held a lot of pain for her. And if she did want to stay. Hate would just toat her out like he did the first time.

Beating on his door pulled Jack from his mind. It seemed as though it was getting harder and harder for him to focus on the real world. Ever since the... incident. It was becoming increasingly difficult.

Resettling Sem on his hip, Jack pulled open the door. James stood there, looking at Jack as if he were worried he would break. His dull green eyes wide, and his shoulders tense.

This caused Jack to frown. He was fine. As long as no one tried to touch what was his, and Sem' was HIS and HIS alone. Everything would be fine.

"Hey kid." James grunted as he turned on his heel and began away from Jacks apartment.

Jack quickly caught up with him. "Heeyy" he drawled in a low tone.

James heat beat fast in his chest as he left the apartment building and got in his car. Something had changed with Jack. Something serious. His entire demeanor had changed. His head seemed to be stuck in a bow, and his tong was now almost ALWAYS lapping at his lips. James was nearly reluctant to look at Sem' with the way Jack was glaring at him.

Jacks possessiveness had tripled during the night. James ducked into his car and shook the snow from his hair with a deep sigh. What was the kid gonna do when their Boss either ordered her dead, or fucking gave her to whoever the hell he had been talking to for the past two days?

Jack ducked into the car, and settled a giggling Sem' on his lap with a grin. Snowflakes clung to her black curls, and her cheeks were flushed red from the cold. Her massive green eyes were wide with amazement. "It's so cold, Jack!" She called grinning up at him and shaking her head about.

Jack chuckled lightly, and turned to face James as he pulled from Jacks apartment. "So what's is... uh... going onnn?" He questioned.

James cleared his throat slightly. "Well... Boss is convinced that we didn't get all the guns last time. He wants up to go back and tear the place apart looking for them." He stated nodded and turned his attention to a quiet Sem'.

She wasn't sure quite how she knew it. But as soon as the other man pulled his car to a stop. Sem' knew that there was something wrong.

"Don't worry Koshka." She murmured softly, as Jack picked her up and crawled his way from the car.

Cold wind snaked about their bodies, sending flakes of snow curling about their bodies. Jack clutched Sem' to his chest as he and James trotted into the small house.

Sem' shuttered and ducked farther back into her hood. It was REALLY cold here! But... as soon as the wind stopped. And Jack began to kick at the snow that was caked to his feet. A smell hit her nose.

Her heart sunk. She knew this smell. The smell of her old home. Bad food, and dirty carpets. Unwashed clothes, and the scent of sick and blood. She didn't want to be here.

Slowly, she sunk deeper into her hood, and her small fingers began to work the front of her dress. Koshka tucked into the curve of her arm. Tears flooded her eyes. Jack had brought her back to Daddy.

Daddy was gonna be SO mad... he was gonna hit her, and put her in the dark room and NEVER let her out. He was gonna re do her marks. ALL of them. Jack was gonna leave her here. This thought made her whimper softly, but she dared not cry.

Jack looked about the grungy home with disgust. Just knowing the Sem' had lived in this hovel made Jacks hands clench.

"Okay. Ill dig around. See if the Kid wants anything." James muttered as he entered the living room. He himself had disposed of Molotov's body the day after they had taken Sem'. The man may no longer have been there... but his stink was.

Jack peered about the room, and resettled Sem' on his hip. "Where uh... did you sleeP" Jack questioned Sem' lightly, as he turned to look down at her.

Instantly, a frown was pulling at his lips. Sem' was crying. That same, nearly silent little mewl that she always did. "Sem'? What's wrong?" He questioned gently reaching out with a hand to gently pull back her hood.

She looked up at him with those massive eyes. So green they were nearly unnatural. Filled with tears. She sniffed once more. "J-Jack is gonna leave..." she whimpered softly. Her small hands moving to clutch at his hoodie as if her life depended on it.

Jack worked his mouth slightly, before he dipped his head slightly to look directly into her eyes. "I'm noT. Uh... leaving you, Baby doll." he muttered quietly, raising both brows as his tongue slipped out to wet his lips.

Sem' shook her head. Daddy wasn't gonna let her stay with Jack. Daddy was gonna be MAD. "Daddy... he gonna put me... in the dark room!" She sobbed leaning forward, and coiling her hands about Jacks throat. She nuzzled her face against his cheek.

Jacks heart gave an uncomfortable squeeze. "Sem'... I'm not gonna let him uh... HAVE you baCK. You're... uh... miiinnneee." He drawled lowly, turning to place his fore head against hers. He held her teary gaze with a deep fascination.

She sniffed loudly. "R-really?" She whispered, her cheeks heating as Jack stared at her.

Slowly Jack nodded. "Really Baby doll." He murmured.

She blinked at him for a moment. "I love Jack." She mumbled softly, leaning back and looking away from him. She clutched Koshka to her chest.

Jack stared at her for a second or two but smirked. He said nothing, but slowly walked farther into the house. His eyes searching over everything.

"I slept over there!" Sem' suddenly cried, pointing to the far corner of the room. It was the corner that Koshka had originally be found in. There was what could be considered a crib of sorts in the corner, but the front of it was missing and there was no mattress. Just a flat of intertwining metal rods. Piled atop this, was one large blanket. It may have been red at one time, but it was now faded to a dirty brown. It looked absolutely filthy.

Toys were scattered about in the corner. Little bright pink plastic plates and cups. Two large coloring books, and a small box of crayons. Near this, and the large green chair that Molotov had died in was a small baby bottle that was tipped to its side. It was completely empty.

"Mommy gave me my toys." Sem' piped up, as she pushed at Jacks chest. Wanting to be put down.

Reluctantly, Jack bent and set Sem' on her bare feet. Instantly, she was on the floor and flipping through one of the coloring books.

Jack straightened and took a few steps back to peer at Sem'. Her small body huddled on the floor, bent ofer the large dog eared coloring book. Koshka sitting beside her in all his long limbed, over stuffed glory.

Was this how she spent her days? Alone sitting in the corner? No one but her stuffed toy to speak with? No. She had said something about a dark room. That her Father had put her down there.

What type of life was this? Jack could give her better! And he WOULD. Sem' was under HIS care now.

"Mommy colored this one!" Sem' suddenly gasped loudly, as she scrambled to her feet. The large coloring book held aloft for Jack to see.

It was a fairy tail book, and Jack found himself staring at two large pages of a scene from Little Red Riding Hood. It was a very simple design, but the trees had been colored in dark colors, and shadows. As if it were night.

A little girl in a shocking red cloak was skipping down a darkened lane, and just behind her was a hulking beast of deep black and dark gray. The wolf's eyes were a shocking yellow.

"Mommy's favorite color was red." Sem' murmured, offering Jack the coloring book.

Jack crouched, and took it from her. Vaguely he could hear James in another part of the house. Thrashing things to the floor. "What uh.. Happened to herrr?" He questioned lightly, as he closed the book.

Sem' blinked at him for a moment. "Daddy grabbed her neck really hard. She was cold just like Daddy and wouldn't wake up. She was asleep for a long time before Daddy took her away." She murmured turning to peer at her Fathers chair. Almost like she was expecting him to be there.

Jacks jaw clenched. The sick fuck choked her Mother to death. It didn't really occur to him that HE himself did the same thing to MANY women. At least not at the moment. "Did you see him uh... graB her?" He questioned again.

Sem' nodded slightly. "Her face got really red before she fell asleep." She stated in a distracted manner. Her small had going out to clutch at the thick black cloth that covered his chest. She was looking about the room, not letting her eyes settle on Jack.

Jack licked at his lips as he watched the innocence slide from Sem's face. A frown pulled at her lips, and her green eyes grew cold and harsh. Her brows furrowed slightly. "I don't like it here." She stated in a VERY hard tone. Jack frowned.

"We'll uh... leeaavvee sooon-ah" He stated in a low tone, as he set the book aside and tugged Sem' to his chest. "Is there anything you wanna take?" He questioned. His voice slipping back into that tone. The one he had NEVER heard before Sem' came along.

She stood stiff against him for a moment before relaxing into him. Her large eyes softened once more, and she smiled as she nuzzled into Jacks chest. "I can bring my colors?" She asked pulling back slightly to look up at Jack.

He worked his mouth slightly and held back a grin. He had made her happy again. HE had. No one else. "Yeah Baby doll. You can" he stated on a chuckle.

Her face broke into a grin. "Okay! Let me go get my pack pack!" She called wriggling out of Jacks grip and trotting away from him.

He watched as she picked up a dirty white back pack and began stuffing her coloring books and a few of the plastic play toy inside of it. She moved past him and collected the coloring book she had shown him and the baby bottle before disappearing into what looked like a bathroom on the other side of the room.

"Hey Kid! Get over here!" James called, pulling Jack away from his staring.

He rose with a groan, as both of his knees popped. He sauntered after James hands shoved in his pockets.

He turned a corner into a small room and stopped in his tracks. The rancid scent of stale blood hit his nose first, then the grotesque scent of something dead and rotting. His eyes settled on a mutilated carcass of... what looked like a pig. Blood was splatted against the walls which were lined with guns.

The pig was splayed in the middle of the room. Its entrails ripped out and strewn about its body on the floor. A large knife was rammed in its skull, a bloodied scrap of paper pinned.

James stood beside Jack, his folded over sleeve covering his mouth and nose. Slowly James moved forward and ripped the paper from under the blade. "We leave the guns. The girl lives." He read aloud.

The two men stared at each other for a moment. "It's a warning to Boss. He's being watched." James stated in a low tone.

Jack worked his lips and peered about the room. A wave of anger flared in his chest. Of course Sem' was going to live. She was HIS. And if there was a warning here... that meant his Boss had been speaking with whoever gave Molotov his guns. They wanted her alive. So they could TAKE her. Fuck. That.

"He's... uh... TALKING tooo... the uh... Gun dealer?" Jack questioned in a high nearly naisly tone. His hands slowly sliding from his pocket to fist at his sides.

James heart rate jumped to nearly painful as he stared at Jack. Never had Jack looked at him like this. The boy had tried many times to intimidate him... but James had NEVER seen such a look of sheer MALICE. There was nearly a dark haze surrounding him that made the air in James's lungs freeze and every hair on his body stand on edge. His eyes grew wide as Jack slowly cocked his head to the right. His neck popping in the process.

"Jack... you knew that this was gonna happen" James stated raising his hands in a placating manner. He took a few steps away from Jack.

"NoT any mooorree. Sem'. Is. Mine." He snarled lightly following after James step for step.

James's blood froze cold in his veins. "Calm down Kid. I'm not the one taking her from ya!" He stated, his voice nearly breaking as panic flooded through his system. His edged closer to the wall that was lined with guns. He just hoped they were loaded.

Jacks head bowed lower. "No oneee is TaKing her fromm meee." He growled before launching himself at James.

Sem' hoped down from the toilet humming an aimless tune to herself. Her bottle was clutched to her chest and Koshka was in the other hand. Her pack pack was strapped to her back.

She toddled out of the bathroom only to go still as yelling filled the air around her. Her eye grew wide. She could distinctly make out Jack bellowing voice that was broken into by a loud cackling laugh. The hair rose on Sem's arms. She had never heard such a scary noise.

"Jack?" His name bubbled from her throat as she pulled Koshka to her chest, and looked about the room.

Jack heard Sem's small voice call for him, and he instantly lifted himself from hovering over James's limp form. He had beaten the man bloody. His right eye was already swelling, and his nose sat slightly crooked on his face. Jack took a ragged breath as he kicked the man to his back and fished his wallet and key from his pockets.

He stood and sauntered from the room without a word. He entered the living room wiping blood from the right corner of his mouth. He tongued at his stitches, and was relived to find that none had popped. Sem' stood before him, clutching Koshka and a baby bottle. Her green eyes massive and bubbling with fear.

"Hey Baby Doll. Have every thing you uh… Neeeddd?" He questioned on a low drawl as he scooped her into his arms. He didn't even pause in his walking.

Sem' eyed Jack warily for a moment before nodding slowly. "Yeah." She mumbled lightly. Jack looked up set again.

They left the house at a brisk pace, and Jack trotted through the deepening snow. It was now at least three inches. He would NOT let them take Sem' from him. She was HIS. He quickly opened the passenger door to James's car and buckled Sem' in. Trotting around the front of the car, he glanced around. The street was empty.

Ducking into the car, he started it without a word. "What we doin Jack? Where's that other man?" Sem's small voice questioned from beside him.

Jack worked his mouth for a long while. A grin suddenly pulled at his lips. "Don't Uh… Worry about him Baby Doll… We're jusT playing hind and seek."