Adult content.

The small bathroom reeked of bodily fluids. Lulu really didn't want to think too closely on what exactly was all over the floor. Surely she wasn't the first girl to throw up before her first night on the stage. More than likely she wasn't going to be the last.

Haphazardly running her fingers through her hair, she caught sight of herself in the cracked filthy mirror. Her mother would say she was too thin, but she hadn't felt the need to eat in weeks. Although she wouldn't swear to it, she was almost positive she hadn't actually eaten since she agreed to Vermin's terms. No male in her family would let her near daylight in an outfit this short and this tight. Of course Vermin had reminded her that the whole point of the outfit wasn't how she wore it. It was all about how she took it off. Her stomach rolled again at the mere thought of him.

Had her life really come to this? Was she seriously about to step on that stage and take her clothes off in front of strangers in an effort to pay off her dealer? The music pounded between the paper-thin walls separating the stage from what was laughingly referred to as the "dressing area." Even with the pounding bass, it was impossible to miss the catcalls and screams for whoever it was, Lusty Linda? Shy Sherry, she couldn't remember right now, to take it all off. It was an offer Lulu was sure wouldn't be refused.

And in a matter of minutes, it was an offer she was going to be expected to accept as well. Leaning against the wall, Lulu closed her eyes, feeling her heart start to speed up. Vermin had promised she would be in the prime spot, midnight. Still early for the bachelor parties and trust fund frat boys to be out to play, late enough they would be drunk enough to give her all their money. Vermin had sworn with her looks, she'd make back what she owed in one shift. "But who knows? You might find you like the attention Little Lu. And we both know how much you like to show off." He had purred to her, running his hand over her shoulder and down her back. "I have a feeling this will be very good for both of us."

The applause startled her out of the memory. This was it. The last act was done and it was now time for her to make her way through the crowd, possibly looking for what Vermin had termed a "special client." A client that wanted her services only. God only knew what services. Vermin had been pretty clear he expected her to satisfy any request given to her. There wasn't any more time for stalling. It was her turn.

"Gentlemen, we have a special treat for you tonight," The disembodied voice of the announcer signaled her doom. Oh god, she was two seconds away from stepping out on that stage and destroying every dream her family had ever had for her. Her feet moved despite her fear. She couldn't do this. She couldn't do this.

"She's making her Paradise Lounge debut tonight and she's a little shy. So let's make her feel welcome." The announcer continued intent on delivering her to guillotine.

Her brain shut down. Instinct took over and Lulu swore she could feel herself leave her body. She watched as she abruptly turned to the left and ran through the creaking oak door that led to the back alley.

"It's Little Lu." The excited voice of the announcer continued, almost oblivious to the empty place on the stage as the regulars exchanged indifferent shrugs. It wasn't the first night a new girl ran.

Vermin looked over at Derek, seated next to him in the back booth. "Get Sherry out there. And make sure our Little Lu understands what happens when she skips out on a deal."

*****

Evan double-checked the number before he risked picking it up. Maybe she had misdialed. "Evan Cassidy." He announced sounding bored.

"Evan?"

He had never expected to hear fear in Lulu Spencer's voice. "What's the matter?"

"I'm really scared. Someone's been in my apartment."

"What do you mean, been in your apartment?"

"My door's kicked open. My stuff's been destroyed." Lulu put her hand over her mouth to keep the sob back. "They left a note they would be back."

"Don't touch anything. I'll be right there. I'm coming." Evan was putting on his coat before he even finished the conversation. Who would be back? What had she gotten herself into now?

"Please hurry. Please Evan hurry."

He could still hear her plea five minutes later when he pulled his car in front of her building and killed the engine. He took the stairs two at a time, ignoring her neighbor who had poked her head out to see what all the racket was about, and didn't bother knocking. "Leslie." He breathed. She was sitting in the middle of the floor wrapped up in a worn blanket.

"Evan." She had never been so glad to see him. The same part of her brain that had gotten her out of that club and made her not return home right away had told her to call him.

"Are you alright? Were you here when this happened?" Evan asked crouching down in front of her. He didn't immediately see the damage, his eyes focused on Lulu's pallid face. She had always been pale, but now she looked ghost-white and the sight was so unfamiliar, he was knocked a step backwards by the full force of it.

"No. I wasn't here. But he's looking for me. I can't stay here." At first, he couldn't make sense of her words. If she couldn't stay here, if she wasn't safe here, there would be no going home to her parents. He would look there first, whoever he was. Evan couldn't take the chance.

"Who's looking for you?" He wasn't surprised to hear she had made a few enemies; they were the only guarantee that drugs always provided. Still, he felt his instincts perk up, his ears waiting for confirmation before he made any rash decisions.

"Vermin."

"Are you sure?"

She nodded her head. "I ran...I ran out on a deal tonight. He's looking for me."

"What deal?" What did it matter anyway? She had pissed off her drug supplier and that meant she was going to have to be made to pay. He didn't want to think of the many ways he could accomplish this because, frustrating or not, she didn't deserve to die because of a few wrong choices. He shook his head. This had so little to do with her.

"I..." Lulu shook her head from side to side. She couldn't admit what she had almost done. Even to him. It was too raw. Too real. Too much of a reminder of what she had become. "It's not important. I just can't stay here."

"Get some clothes then." Evan instructed walking toward her room.

Slowly she followed him, more out of relief to let someone else take the lead and make decisions. Her hand shot out to stop him from turning on the light. "Don't. Someone might be watching."

"Don't worry." Evan soothed her, taking his free hand and loosening her hold on him and intertwining their fingers. So what if they were watching? To Vermin, his band of lackeys, and the Spencer family they were dating and it wouldn't be uncommon for a boyfriend to be called over to his girlfriend's apartment after something like this happened. Still, he didn't point this out because she seemed too frightened to think logically.

And who could blame her? Even in the darkness he could see tiny shards of glass sprinkled all across her bedspread. Her pillows were gutted, feathers everywhere, and the message was not lost on Evan. The dresser had been pushed over to cover a place in the carpet where he vaguely remembered seeing a grape juice stain.

"I don't want to see it all again." She explained. Vermin had to have ordered Derek to send her a message. She was positive of it. Nothing had been sacred. Even the pictures of her nephews and niece had been torn, words scrawled across their faces, promising he'd return. "I just want to go."

He handed her the keys. "Go get in the car."

She nodded and ducked out of the room, clutching the blanket to her chest. "Just hurry," she whispered as she made her way to the door.

*****

"I wasn't sure what you wanted. I kind of just threw it all in a bag." Evan admitted once they got to their destination.

"It's fine. I don't really care." Lulu blinked as she looked up at the building. "Where are we?"

"A safe place." Evan told her. "Come on."

She followed him up the stairs, keeping her eyes open, every few seconds looking behind her. It didn't seem like anyone had followed them but it never hurt to be careful. She almost crashed into him when he stopped in front of a door.

"Give me some credit." He teased. "Nobody followed us."

"That's what everyone says before they get grabbed."

"Then I'll be sure no one gets you." He slid the key into the deadbolt and twisted it until the lock disengaged. "I wasn't expecting company." He couldn't remember the last time he had been nervous around a woman, but he suddenly was.

"You weren't expecting...this is your place?" Even though she was still shaking, she couldn't keep the surprise out of her voice.

"You'll be safe here." Evan replied dodging the question.

Taking another careful step inside she tried to take in all the details. For some reason she had never imagined Evan having his own place. "Looks nice."

"Well they got mad when I tried to sleep under my desk." Evan answered in a light, playful voice.

"Are you sure we weren't followed?" Lulu put her hand out, touching the soft fabric of the couch.

"Positive." Evan nodded. "Do you want anything to drink?"

"No. No." Lulu shook her head and sank down slowly into the cushions. "I just want to forget this day ever happened."

"I have just the thing." Evan moved around the couch and selected a DVD from the pile. He had meant to organize them, but he had had other things to do, like sleep. He turned on the television and placed the disc in the player. Lulu's jaw dropped when Scooby Doo flashed up on the screen. "Not what you were expecting then?"

"No. You watch Scooby Doo?"

"Of course. All detectives do."

"Well you had to learn your skills from someone I guess."

"Insults will not make the popcorn cook faster," He assured her, heading for the kitchen.

"Evan?"

"Uh huh?" He stopped in his tracks.

"Thank you. I know I didn't really give you a reason to come and I don't know why I thought to call you but I'm glad you did."

"You had plenty of reason to call. I only wish you hadn't waited so long."

"I'm sorry. I was just...scared."

"You're going to be fine." Evan guaranteed, bending down in front of her. "I promise. You believe me, don't you?"

"I know you think you can keep me safe. But Vermin's looking for me. I can't stay here forever."

"Would I be wasting my breath if I suggested you let the cops worry about it?" Or him in particular. He purposely didn't mention his intentions because he didn't want to scare her even more.

"You don't understand Vermin. Cops don't scare him."

"I'll remember that." Evan told her. "Do you have a preference on butter?"

"Lots of it."

"Good. Do you mind if I ask you for a favor?"

"I think I owe you one."

"You don't owe me anything."

"Yes I do." Lulu shook her head stubbornly.

"If I had been doing my job right, you wouldn't have come home to..." His voice trailed off.

"It's not your fault. It's mine. I make my own decisions remember? Just ask me."

"If I ask you to do some things, can you promise to do them whether or not you agree with them? It's important."

"Maybe."

"There are some rules—yes rules—that you're going to have to follow if you stay here. Considering your alternative is to go straight to the commissioner..."

"No. I can't go to Mac." She couldn't go to anyone and let them know how close she came to...no she couldn't do that to them. "I'll listen."

"Three things. You don't leave the apartment first off."

"No problem. I don't exactly want to be found remember?"

"That's the easiest to follow then. Second, no one comes over."

"I'm a Spencer. I know what hiding out means."

"Three and this is the most important, while you're here, no drugs. It's completely non-negotiable."

On any other night, she would have argued with him. But it was the drugs that led to tonight. Slowly she nodded. "Fine." She whispered.

"I mean it. I don't want to come home and..." He stopped talking again, noticing how she had closed off into herself. "Look, it's none of my business what you do elsewhere and if it wouldn't affect your judgment—but we can't risk it."

"I know." She answered in the same soft voice. "I know that now."

He left her then, throwing the popcorn in the microwave and staying in the kitchen until it was finished. "Now I don't rely on the producers to provide enough butter, so I keep a special stash of melted butter." He told her once he reached the living room, the bowl in one hand, the butter container in the other. "Don't tell anyone about the stash."

"Who can I tell? I can't talk to anyone remember?"

"Oh, right." Evan laughed and doctored the bowl with the perfect amount of butter, stretching out beside her.

"You don't have to go back to the station tonight do you?"

Evan considered his answer very carefully. "Just for about an hour, but then I'll be back. And that's a long time from now."

"Good. Just promise you'll stay till I fall asleep."

"I'm not going anywhere."