Note from Author; Hey guys, been a long time! However, I've been without a laptop for along while now… But I've got a new surface tablet, so I'll be able to continue writing for you all! Apologies if anything here is misspelled or anything. If you notice anything wrong, just comment!

Chapter Nine
I just stood there frozen, not able to move a single muscle, his trademark smile was there, seemingly glaring at me, daring me to take my eyes from it, and look into his eyes. The eyes of the last person I expected to ever look upon again, well except for maybe Big Daddy.

However, he took his hand out, and placed it in front of me, signalling he wanted to shake hands. I took his, and we shook, his grasp firm, but humble.

"It's been a long time Dave, a very long time." He said, a stammer evident in his voice. Hearing him speak brought me out of my seemingly ridiculous state of awe, and I flew backwards almost immediately.

"You're supposed to be – I mean meant to be – I – I- You're dead! You died!" I exclaimed loudly, probably loud enough for the entire park to hear, which was possible by the next second I had the hand I just shook moments ago wrapped around my face fiercely. I continued to attempt to scream through his hand for a few seconds before I realized it was pointless.

"Really Dave? You'd really just shout that out loud? For everyone to hear? Maybe you aren't quite as smart as I remember. It has been a long time." He smirked, releasing me from his grasp, before turning and motioning me to follow him with his arm. "I want to show you something, before we talk about Miss MacCready's current uhm- predicament."

He started walking towards to the exit of the park, knowing I'd follow him with no hesitation. Heck, I just wanted to know how he'd even managed to survive! It was absolutely frickin' impossible!

Snow started to fall from the clouds below, almost mimicking the atmosphere around us, my heart sank and I felt a terrible pain in my stomach as I imagined Mindy, locked alone in some cell. Or maybe even worse, maybe she was with another prisoner, maybe one of the women we'd inevitably locked away in our quest for justice. But hey- what was I thinking like that for? Mindy could easily handle herself. It was probably much more likely that instead of Mindy being locked up with hardened criminals in fear, it was the other way around. They were locked up with her, and she was the one they probably feared the most.

After minutes of walking in silence, I turned to talk to the Colonel, but he just shushed me before anything escaped my mouth.

"Not here, too many people. Just wait okay? And I'll explain everything." He whispered, keeping his voice as quiet as possible. I personally didn't understand why he was so paranoid, it's not as if anyone around here was going to attack us, except maybe the rare event that Chris actually tried to do something. To be honest that actually seemed quite likely back at home now Hit Girl was locked up, but she'd been gone for years anyway. Chris seemingly got her banged up just to get back at me. Maybe it was another revenge scheme of his for killing his dad, or maybe to pay me back for the loss of his legs, not that that was my fault anyway... But knowing Chris it'd eventually end up being all my doing.

Eventually we came onto a small quiet avenue, filled with long beautiful gardens, and beautiful houses, almost perfect. The Colonel smiled and walked towards the largest house in the neighbourhood, before unlocking the gate and motioning me to come inside.

"Wait… This is yours?" I whispered anxiously, staring at the huge beautiful house in front of us. He just gave me his trademark smirk once again and shrugged his shoulders.

"Every God loving man has to keep his family safe and happy now doesn't he?" he said beaming. I gasped.
"Family?"
"I'll explain inside, now come on. When we go inside, I want you to just go with what I say, at least until I tell you so. Okay?" I nodded in agreement, and he opened up the large mahogany door, finally greeting me with some warmth. My hands were starting to go numb from the cold that was accumulating fast outside.

"Honey, is that you?" came a voice from a room down the hallway, which I rightfully assumed was the kitchen. No sexism there I assure you, it was just a really good guess!

"Yeah, it's me Dear, don't worry I'm not a burglar!" He exclaimed dramatically, before heading into the kitchen to greet her.
His wife embraced him in a hug before turning her attention to me, and smiling broadly. The first thing I noticed about her was her long flowing auburn hair, and her pale complexion, she was almost the exact opposite of the Colonel, or maybe it would be simpler to call him Sal at this point, but regardless, the most important factor I could honestly tell you about her was she looked beautiful, maybe not quite as gorgeous as Mindy, but easily a close second.

"Ah, so this is that student you were talking about Damien!" she clapped her hands in glee, and I just looked over at the Colonel – Sal – Uhm, Damien? Questioning him for answers, but I just went with it.

"Yeah that's me! Nice to meet you, I've really been looking forward to having lessons, been waiting all year to learn." I honestly had not one single idea about what I was 'supposed' to be learning, but what the heck. He told me to go with the flow, so I was going to do it!

The Colonel suddenly looked quite uncomfortable and just clasped his hand on my shoulder.

"Yep, I can't wait to teach young Dave here how to play the Piano. It'll be exciting won't it? Now... I'll go talk to him in private Rosalie, I'll come up for dinner when we're done, okay?" She just nodded and we headed out of the kitchen and down the hallway, where a long bookcase awaited us. Smiling at me The Colonel just pulled a book from the shelf, and the whole case moved, almost silently, and so fast that if you blinked you'd miss it.

"Hurry Dave, quickly, before she notices we haven't gone into the lobby, she can't know about this room." I hurried after him and within moments we were in the pitch black confines of whatever room this was supposed to be.

The Colonel laughed and clapped his hands, igniting the entire room in a large pearlescent glow. The room was once again, filled with all sorts of memorabilia from when we were out fighting crime, and on a large stand was his outfit, covered in blood, something I noted quite quickly.

"Now, I can finally talk to you properly Dave, you have to understand… I have a nice setup here, nice wife, nice house, something of my own okay? I can't risk that for you… Or for Mindy. But I am going to help you, one last time, or at least try."

He laughed walking over to a large stack of boxes against the wall and pulled out what seemed to be a collection of prison warden outfits, and a large suit, all equipped with badges.

"You want Mindy out of Prison right? Well there's honestly only one way we're going to do this Dave…" he smirked. "A God-Blessed Break in! Gotta let loose every once in a while haven't we?"

I just stared at his outfits, before nodding my head furiously. Whatever the colonel had in plan, this was going to be big, and it had better work.

He then proceeded to pull out four tiny pistols, before showing me they actually had no bullets and smiling. "Nothing like this old trick… Didn't work so well last time I used it though." He scowled, placing the guns on the desk in front of me.

"I know I'm not being very clear here Dave, but you have to trust me. Tomorrow night, everything will be much clearer, and you'll have Mindy out in no time. All you have to do is trust me, can you trust me Dave?"

I just nodded, before asking the one question that had been plaguing my mind.
"Why did your wife call you Damien?"

The Colonel just smiled, and leant against the table separating us. Pondering for a second.
"Well Sal isn't a great name to introduce yourself to a lady is it?"

*

Mindy's tears fell gently down her face as she looked out of the window, covered with bars, watching the snowflakes fall to the ground.

She missed him so much.