A month went by working with Barrows and Nurse Graves trying to get her to be able to walk again. It was slow and torturous but effective as her left leg slowly regained its feeling. There were long nights of crying herself to sleep because her leg wouldn't budge the entire day no matter how hard she tried and she could tell Barrows and Graves were getting tired of her presence in the Chop shop.

She got up from the bed and shimmied her way towards the crutch to the far side of the wall. She forced herself to leave it there every night so she had a reason to walk more to get to it. She had high hopes making her way to Carol's place that there was something Carol could do about her living situation because no one was sweeter than Carol.

She was instantly greeted by happy warm faces anywhere she went. Everyone seemed to like her except a few ghoul residents. She helped as much as a crippled person could and people seemed to really enjoy being helped but her, its like they've missed it. She still didn't appreciate being called a smooth-skin though and everyday she had to deal with it, except from Carol. Carol was the only one to treat her like an equal and that was something she had always wanted to happen towards a normal person and a ghoul.

"Hey Carol, I have a serious question for you." She said as she sat down at her usual table.

Carol looked in my direction curiously as she stuffed a can of Pork N' Beans in a pot heating it up. Mandy always ordered the same thing and Pork N' Beans were the only things that weren't stale. Being heated up also helped the gelatinous texture the liquid surrounding the beans made. Carol poured some beans in a bowl and made her way over to Mandy before taking the seat in front of her.

"What is it hon?" She eyed her curiously.

"Well Barrows is getting a little much and Graves keeps giving me dirty looks so I was hoping you knew of a place nearby that I could stay." She shoveled down some beans before looking up at her.

"There isn't much of a hotel in Underworld seeing as we don't get enough visitors to keep it going. All we have is my shop where some people can stay but all the beds are taken and I don't think you're going to find anything close by outside of underworld...buuuut..." She hesitated.

"I do have an extra closet. It aint much but a bed would fit in perfectly and you'd have peace and quiet."

Mandy looked at her for a moment before smiling wide.

"I won't make much noise and I won't be here all day seeing as I'm getting physical therapy done at the Chop Shop."

Carol got up and grabbed her empty bowl smiling from ear to ear.

"I can't wait to have you move in. For rent I'll charge you a cap a day." She winked and started to walk away.

"Carol that's nothing! I should at least be giving you 120 caps a night!" She limped towards the front desk where Carol had returned to and gave her the 3 caps for the meal. She was always giving her discounts and although it made things easier she always felt terrible, like she was using her kindness.

"I won't hear none of it. You have helped me so much around here. A cap a day is perfect." She smiled.

Mandy couldn't help but smile back at her as she placed her hand on Carol's arm.

"Thank you so much Carol. I mean it." She then turned and headed out the door.

The rest of the day was filled with a very happy Barrows and Graves helping her put a bed in Carol's Place and continuing her work with Physical therapy. At night she usually made her way up to the bar to get something to drink. Just a small shot of vodka always eases the pain and lulls her to sleep. Limping to The Ninth Circle she made her way up the stairs and to the doors and opened them.

The first time she came here she was met with weird looks and judging faces. She nearly tripped and fell over the stairs and embarrassed herself to no end before looking at Ahzrukhal pleading for help. He just looked away and began polishing a shot glass not giving her the time of day. She knew what he was. He was scum and by what Carol had told her he was a greedy man who cared only for money and power. Reaching into her pocket she grabbed the pouch of caps she brought with her and cleared her throat to get his attention. When he finally looked at her she shook the bag of caps to get that clinking sound he most likely loved to hear and was given a sly smile in return. He whistled and pointed at her and continued polishing the glass.

Confused she just stared at him. Within seconds the crutch that was supporting her weight was taken from her and she fell into the arms of a very tall, very large ghoul. She stared oggly into his face, scanning over his features as he picked her up unwavering his bland facial expression. He grasped onto her hip and she gave a sharp intake of breath as a shot of pain spread through her. He noticed and looked down at her as he carried her bridal style, crutch under his armpit, to a bar stool setting her down with ease and giving her crutch back. She watched, pink faced, rubbing her hip as he walked back to his seat in the dark corner of the bar and sat down not wavering his stare towards her. She couldn't tell if his look had tiny laces of pity, guilt or warning as they stared at each other but concluded it was probably just her imagination.

Ever sense then though whenever she walked into the bar the ghoul she later found out to be Ahzrukhal's bodyguard would come and pick her up and take her to a bar stool. She thanked him every time and Ahzrukhal always told her not to because he wasn't worth the time and he would go all mushy. This time however when she opened the door the ghoul stood up and walked towards her and she put her hand on his chest stopping him feeling him stiffen at her touch.

"It's ok big guy, I think I got this." She said with a big smile up at him.

His face never changed expressions as she limped her way to a bar stool slowly going down the stairs taking note he walked behind her making sure to catch her if she fell. When she made it she turned around with the biggest smile on her face ready to share this excitement with him but he was already back at his seat in the corner. She gave him a look and pouted her lip and he just turned away and put his hand on his mouth hiding the slight smile that crept on his lips. He shook it off and continued observing the bar.

Ahzrukhal had already poured her a shot of vodka when she turned to greet him.

"I see you made it on your own this time." He said with a wink, hand open for the caps she was digging out.

"Yeah this physical therapy is doing wonders for the old legs." She said with a nervous smile handing him the caps.

"Well maybe when you're all better we can go somewhere..more quiet to chat." He said with a sly smile lingering on her fingers a bit too long for her liking.

"Yeah.." She yanked her hand away and grabbed a hold of her drink but his smile never left his face. She looked around the bar trying to keep her mind busy when her eyes fell on the bodyguard.

"Hey can I get..er...What's your bodyguards name?" She asked without taking her eyes of him.

He cocked an eyebrow at her and she turned towards him. After a moments hesitation he finally said "Charon" and began to clean the counter.

"Charon." She repeated quietly and turned her head in his direction to be met with milky eyes staring back at her. She felt the flush of red hit her cheeks and a tingling sensation in the pit of her stomach and quickly turned away.

"Uh can I get him a drink?" She asked hopeful. He nearly dropped the bottle he was holding before composing himself and she could hear the judging whispers behind her from the other residents of the bar.

"Why would you want to do that?" He said trying to hide the annoyance slowly creeping into his mind. "He's worthless and doesn't deserve kindness from anyone."

She stared at him in disbelief. She knew he was an asshole but this was too far.

"What does it matter to you? You'd be getting my caps for it." She pointed at him glaring just slightly.

"He is my property. I ultimately choose whatever fate I want for him." He glared back at her.

After an awkward silence of what she assumed to contemplation he said "Fine. But only one. That bastard needs to pay attention once and awhile around here."

She smiled triumphantly and gave him the caps for the beer, grabbing her crutch and downing her shot of vodka. Ahzrukhal grabbed her arm and leaned in close to her face. Too close.

"But you're giving me that quiet chat when you're all better." He gave a wicked smile and rubbed his hand up and down her arm. She gave him a death glare trying to suppress the bile inching it's way up her throat. He leaned back and walked over to the other side of the bar to help a very drunk ghoul get more drunk never stopping the eye fuck he was giving her.

She got up and limped her way to Charon who never took his eyes off her. She noticed she wasn't pissed off anymore by the time she was at his feet.

"This is thanks. For helping me all those time." She thrust the beer towards him and he just eyed her curiously not taking it.

"Go on. I already made sure Ahzrukhal is alright with it." She shook the bottle slightly to emphasize he should take it.

He shifted his weight and stared at Ahzrukhal who just shook his head in a silent yes. He grabbed the beer and slowly took a sip. She smiled at him and turned to make her way out of the bar before hearing a quiet but husky thank you. She stood there as his voice sent shivers up her spine. She continued limping towards the door shutting it behind her before leaning against it. How could his voice effect her like this? It was just a thank you but something about his voice sent images of naked bodies pressed together in a fit of loud moans and unadulterated passion. With a fresh shade of pink on her face she made her way to Carol's place and sat on her bed, mind reeling about the bodyguard ghoul who had such an effect on her.