The next night
Friday

I said goodbye to Avery and Riley, and went to find a cab.

The three of us had been to see a very girly movie, with a lot of giggling and some crying; Joshua had refused to come, as he didn't want to put up with giggling, crying, little girls! Altogether it had been a good evening, but then the evening went to crap as I sensed somebody behind me, but my mind had been elsewhere and I didn't react as fast as I should have done. I was turning around, when my arms were seized and I was pulled down the side of the building and into a darker area, near some dumpsters.

I was pushed, none too gently, against a wall where my head banged against the concrete and it hurt. In front of me was that bitch, Juno! Either side of me were two other girls that seemed to regularly hang about with Juno; they had my arms pinned securely either side of me and they also had control of my legs, too, so that I couldn't kick out. It was fairly common knowledge at school that I was skilled at the Martial Arts, which was also why most people didn't pick a fight with me or any of my friends!

"Nobody threatens me!" Juno breathed into my face.

"Well you'd better get used to it, bitch!" I replied, glaring at Juno.

"You need to learn some manners, Yank!"

"Go fuck yourself; nobody else will ever want to!" I replied, rather lamely, I thought.

Juno then landed a punch, in my stomach and I instinctively tried to double over, but was held up, by her minions. That punch hurt and I could feel tears of pain, in my eyes. Next Juno punched me across the jaw from my left and I yelled out in pain; Juno was very strong!

Next I received a punch into my left side. The pain surging through my body was almost unbearable, but I had suffered worse! Just as I was wondering how long this was going to go on for and if I would last the course, through my blurred vision I saw a sneaker fly through the air and catch Juno in the side of the head. Juno span off to my left and fell to the ground. Next her two Minions were attacked and found themselves sprawled on the ground, beside their leader.

Now that I was no longer supported, I fell forward to the ground myself. I felt strong hands seize my upper arms and haul me to my feet and I found myself looking into the grim face of Kyle.

"Come on Chloe, let's get you out of here, before they get up!" Kyle advised and I could see Juno starting to get up.

"This isn't finished, you worthless piece of shit!" Juno called after us.

"Thanks, Kyle...," I breathed and stumbled out of the alley, supported by my friend.

Kyle helped me get a good distance away from Juno and not in too much public view. Then he flagged down a cab.

"Where should I take you?" Kyle asked.

"Thirty-one twenty-nine, West Columbia Avenue..." I said, before I passed out.

West Ridge

There was a knock at the side door.

I looked at the clock on the wall in the living room. It was after ten o'clock. Who could be calling at this time of night?

Dave stood up and walked to the door while I stayed with Sophia, but grabbed my hidden mini-UZI, just in case. I heard an exclamation from Dave, as he peered through the spy hole.

"Mindy, clear the couch!" Dave called and I heard voices and the door closing, then Dave dumped an unconscious Chloe onto the couch. Behind him stood Kyle.

"What the fuck?" I asked, checking Chloe over and seeing the bruises on her face.

"She got beaten up," Kyle said angrily and he looked mad. "That British bitch from school, Juno."

I knelt down beside Chloe and started to check her over. Dave took Kyle into the kitchen and he started to explain about what he had seen and done. I found some vicious bruises on her abdomen, which matched those on her jaw. I felt the anger boil up inside of me, seeing Chloe hurt. I grabbed my cell and called Cathy.

..._...

Forty minutes later Cathy and Curtis walked in the door.

Chloe was awake, but in a lot of pain. Kyle was sitting next to Chloe and holding her hand, as she grimaced with the pain. Tears of pain were running down her face. We left Cathy to check Chloe over in private and we all sat in the kitchen, where Kyle explained to Curtis what had happened.

"That fucking bitch!" Curtis exclaimed.

"My sentiments exactly!" Dave commented.

Ten minutes later Cathy appeared in the kitchen.

"Will Chloe be okay?" Kyle asked.

"Yes, Kyle. She'll be fine, but she'll be in a lot of pain for a day or two!" Cathy said, with a smile. "And thank you for rescuing my daughter and bringing her to where she could get help."

"No problem, Dr Bennett!" A slightly embarrassed Kyle replied.

…_...

I looked over at Kyle, sitting on the other couch.

I smiled weakly.

"Thanks, Kyle."

"No problem! I'd do anything to help Shadow!" Kyle said.

"What are you talking about?" I asked, or rather spluttered; that had been the last thing that I had expected Kyle to say!

"Tell him!" Mindy advised, rolling her eyes. "He's not stupid, so don't treat him like he is."

"How long have you known?" I asked.

"Ever since Josh appeared. It was confirmed when Jackal started appearing on the streets," Kyle said.

"Are you mad at me?" I asked tentatively.

"Why would I be?" Kyle asked, a little taken aback. "I got to be Shadow's boyfriend; now you can't beat that!"

I felt my face warming up!

"Can Shadow reward you with a kiss?" I teased.

"You can, but I've moved on from Shadow - I've traded up. I'd rather receive a kiss from Hit Girl!" Kyle announced, looking directly at Mindy, who blushed and averted her eyes behind her hand.

I laughed, or tried to; it hurt!

"Only if Kick-Ass will allow it!" Kyle said, looking at Dave.

"Just don't get in the habit of it, Kyle!" Dave cautioned, with a smirk.

Mindy got up and walked over to Kyle, then planted her lips on his right cheek! Kyle blushed bright red and Mindy giggled!

"So, you wanting to join our vigilante fraternity, then?" Mindy asked.

"Not really. However, if you need anything, then I'll help. Just not combat," Kyle said.

"Thanks!" I said.