((Hello! Okay before you read this chapter it isn't terribly long but I would be prepared to wait a bit for the next chapter. I'm going to update ONCE a week now so I don't move to story too fast or bore myself with it like I did the last chapter fic that I tried to do. And this is in no way the last chapter! It will be important though so enjoy!))

Gilbert sighed softly and stared up at the ceiling of his bedroom, his eyes tracing each crack and obstruction as his mind wandered. He hadn't been able to sleep much last night, even though Madeline had told him she wasn't mad at him he still felt like a terrible person for even doing that in the first place and probably making her cry. She had to hate him for moving so fast on her like that, just kissing her out of nowhere. That was such a dick move on his part. He sighed heavily and took another sip of the drink that was in his hand, sitting up in his bed and flicking on the television with his remote, clicking through the channels just to occupy his mind seeing sad stories on news channels or random football or hockey games that flashed by on the small screen. He had to do something until he went in to work but knowing his brother would probably kill him for coming in with even the smell of alcohol on him he clicked the Tv off, tossed the bottle into the trashcan and went into the bathroom to brush his teeth, shower, and ready himself for work. He sighed as he tossed his clothes from the previous day into the basket and got his uniform from the closet, basically just a black t-shirt and matching jeans that he and Ludwig both wore. He pulled his shirt on as he was entering the bathroom, sighing heavily as he heard his phone ring across the hall. He brushed it off and continued to get ready, brushing his teeth and making sure the alcohol smell was gone before he went to see who had been calling him. He picked up his phone and his eyes widened as he saw what time it was on the screen.

"Shit! I'm so freaking late!" He growled, snatching up his keys and jacket from the hooks by the door and stuffing his phone in his pocket before jolting out the door. He picked up his phone in the car to call his brother back but as soon as his brother answered his call he was barraged with his loud German voice.

"Gilbert! Where the hell are you!? Your already an hour late! If this happens again I swear to gott!" Gilbert cut him off quickly, starting his car and backing out of the driveway with the phone pressed to his ear and held by his shoulder.

"Ja, ja I know West, I'm on my way right now!" He huffed, hanging his phone up and driving to work as quickly as he could without getting pulled over.

Gilbert hurried into the door of the coffee shop, his brother smacking him on the back of the head as soon as he saw him and beginning to scold him for being so late.

"Get out there and help Felicia, she's swamped and we're full! You know she doesn't need this kind of stress as far along in the pregnancy as she is!" His brother fussed. Gilbert rubbed the back of his head where his brother had hit him.

"Ja, I'm on it." He grumbled, hurrying out with his apron already around his waist and almost bumping into Felicia on the way out. He put his hand on her shoulder to help steady the already clumsy woman.

"Sorry about that Felicia, Luddy's rushing me." He said. The little auburn haired Italian girl smiled at him, giving an understanding little nod, a steadying hand on her protruding stomach.

"Si, I understand Gilbert, It's alright. It is good your here now, I need a moment to get off of my feet and rest." She said, patting his shoulder as she walked past him into the kitchen. Gilbert smiled at her as she went before rushing to tables and taking orders. He had always thought that he would be the first out of the two brothers to get married and have kids but his little brother had proven him wrong from the moment he had met Felicia when she'd come in and asked to be hired those years ago. Now the two were happily married and expecting Gilbert's new niece. Gilbert smiled at the thought as he took another order, rushing three tables worth to the kitchen for Ludwig. He walked back out of the kitchen and froze, seeing Madeline and Elizabeta at their little table in the corner. He gulped as he walked over to them and everything seemed to move in slow motion as he made his way over to her. Madeline smiled up at him when he got close and it seemed like he had a chance until the door slammed open and in stormed Ivan, glaring over at Maddie as he stomped over to her table. Madeline seemed to cower in fear as Ivan grabbed her wrist.

"Where have you been for the past three days bitch? Did I give you permission to leave?!" Ivan bellowed, his grip tightening on the small girl.

"I-Ivan stop! Please! L-Let go of me!" Maddie squealed. Ivan huffed and pulled her out of the chair.

"Come! We are going home and you are in trouble! Let's go! Now!" Maddie struggled as hard as she could against Ivan's harsh grip as he started to leave with her in tow. Gilbert felt his vision go red, his brow furrowed in anger as he grabbed onto Ivan's shoulder, his fingers digging into his skin.

"Hey asshole! She said let go of her!" He growled. Ivan turned around, facing Gilbert and looking down at the smaller man. He pushed Maddie to the floor and into Elizabeta's waiting arms. Elizabeta held Madeline as Ivan glared down at Gilbert.

"Oh? And what gives you the right to tell me what I can and cannot do to my girlfriend?" He asked, an eerily cheery smile on his face as he looked down at Gilbert, his purple spheres glinting with rage as he stared down the albino.

"She isn't your girlfriend! The poor girl is scared to death of you! And a heartless bastard like you doesn't deserve to so much as look at someone like Maddie!" Gilbert roared. Ivan's smile faded into a deadly frown as he grabbed Gilbert's shoulder and shoved him to the ground

"It is not your place to say such things worm! I have seen the way you look at her and I do not like it!" He said sternly, reaching to grab Madeline again only to be punched in the gut by Gilbert. Ivan grabbed his stomach, the wind being knocked out of him but he still managed to let out a crazy chuckle.

"Oh so this is how you want to do things, huh waiter boy~?" He teased, laughing manicly before grabbing Gilbert's shoulder again and punching him in the ribs, a slight crack being heard through the shop.

"Alright then~ Let's play dirty~" Ivan laughed, giving Gilbert another hard punch in the ribs. A few patrons screamed and moved out of the way of the two men, now engaged in a full on fight, Gilbert landing a few punches to Ivan's face, stomach, and chest. However the mighty swings of the larger man at Gilbert's torso and shoulders seemed to break at least three bones of Gilbert's and possibly. Ludwig hurriedly called the cops as he watched his brother fall to the floor with one swift punch from Ivan to his head, his shoulder bloodied from Ivan's last few punches. Gilbert felt his vision blur as the police showed up and took Ivan down, putting the other man in handcuffs as his last sight was a distraught Madeline's sweet violet eyes and the last feeling her gentle little hands. Madeline wasn't even sure how to comprehend what had just happened, all that was clicking right now was that Gilbert was hurt and needed help.

"S-Someone call an ambulance!" She screamed, holding Gilbert's hand and gently stroking his hair with tears streaming down her cheeks

"Gilbert...G-Gilbert you idiot..." She whimpered, feeling Elizabeta's hand on her shoulder and looking up.

"Liz...he...he saved me." She murmured.

Gilbert's eyes opened slowly, the bright lights blinding and sharp pain in his side evident. He groaned slightly as a shape appeared in his vision at his bedside. His vision finally cleared enough to see Madeline asleep at his bedside, her blonde hair pulled back into a bun and her glasses still on her face. He smiled a little bit at her, putting his hand on her head.

"She's been here with you all night you know." Ludwig said. Gilbert looked up to see his brother leaning in the doorway of the room, his arms crossed over his chest.

"That bastard sure did a number on you. Broke two ribs and a collarbone. doctor wanted to keep you here and observe you for a bit." He said, walking over to the opposite side of the bed. Gilbert groaned as he sat up a bit, chuckling softly.

"Tell me that guy's finally in jail?" He asked, looking back to the sleeping Madeline.

"She would be a lot better off." He murmured softly, gently brushing a strand of hair from Madeline's sleeping face. Ludwig nodded

"Ja. They would have arrested you two if Madeline hadn't have said anything. She saved your ass. She practically begged them to let you be, said that you were just protecting her and that Ivan probably would have killed her if you wouldn't have stepped in. Your that girl's hero you know." Ludwig chuckled. Gilbert smiled at Madeline.

"I'm just glad that she's finally safe...she won't have to live in fear anymore and she can finally go back to her home."

"Ja...I'm going to go and check on Felicia. It gave her quite the scare as well. She's down in the cafeteria with Elizabeta." He said, leaving the room and Gilbert. Gilbert smiled a little with a soft sigh, jumping slightly at a soft noise as Maddie's eyes opened and she looked up at him.

"G-Gilbert! Oh thank goodness your awake!" Madeline squealed, sitting up straight.

"I...I was so worried about you." She said in a softer tone, her eyes welling up a bit with tears. Gilbert wiped the tears from her eyes.

"There's no need for that Maddie. I'm fine." He said with a chuckle, his hand rested on her cheek and his thumb stroking slowly. Maddie smiled and placed her hand on top of his.

"I'm so sorry that this happened to you. Ivan was after me and you had to step in...Thank you...Ivan might have killed me if you hadn't done that...You saved my life..." She murmured. Gilbert sighed softly and smiled at Maddie.

"No need to thank me for doing something that any man would have done in that situation. I did what I had to and rescued you from that guy that dares to call himself a man. I didn't want him to hurt you..." Madeline smiled at Gilbert and pressed a gentle kiss to his forehead.

"He didn't, and I don't think he will be hurting anyone again. He's going to prison for everything that he's done." Gilbert smiled back at her, giving a little chuckle.

"So I'm guessing that now wouldn't be the best time for me to ask you to be my girlfriend so I can show you what a real man should treat a girl like?" He asked. Madeline smiled at him and shook her head with a chuckle.

"No it's not a terrible time at all." She responded, her voice more cheerful than Gilbert had heard it being in months.

"So is that a yes?" He asked. Madeline smiled at him, her lips pressing to his in response.

"Yes."