Removing her apron, and gathering up her tips, Kimber grabbed her purse, and headed for the door. As she began to open it, Annie called out to her.

'Remember, tomorrow night, we are all going to Hap's for drinks and dancing. And I will not take *no* for an answer this time.'

Kimber giggled, and nodding her head, smiled. 'Okay, okay!! I will go.' Then moving through the door, she muttered to herself, 'even though I'll be the only one without a date.'

The door swinging shut behind her, Kimber inhaled sharply, as the night air moved over her skin. Pulling her coat more securely around her, and turning up her collar, she turned and headed towards home. Her friends never understood why she walked home each evening, instead of taking the bus. But, she enjoyed the walk. And, with the streets deserted at the time of night that she usually got off, it was peaceful and calming.

Knowing she was just a short distance from her apartment building, she turned to look behind her while rounding the next corner blindly. Her breath was suddenly knocked from her, as she collided with a large, bulky mass. Stepping back, and trying to keep from falling, she looked up. Grinning down at her was a rather large, rather intoxicated looking individual.

'No where... I mean... just... I am sorry for running into you like that.' Kimber stammered, trying to move around and away from the drunken behemoth as fast as she could.

'No harm done sweet thing,' he said, his eyes darting around. When Kimber realized that he was looking around for anyone who may see them together, a fear ran through her. Stepping back from the giant, she bumped into another large form. Standing behind her, and grinning wickedly from ear to ear was another mean and dangerous looking man.

Before she could say anything else, the drunken man grabbed her with his big meaty arm, and smacked his hand over her mouth. Her scream was muffled by the large hand and she felt herself being picked up and carried into a nearby alleyway

Entering the alleyway, the drunk put her down, and slammed her back up against a brick wall. With his hand still on her mouth, and his arm holding her securely against the wall, he leaned in close. She could smell the alcohol on his breath, and he reeked of stale cigarettes.

'Now listen here honey. Me, you, and Zeke here,' he said, motioning behind him to his partner, 'are gonna have us a little party. If you are a good girl, and don't fight, then all will be fine. Ain't that right Zeke?' Zeke stepped up behind the drunk, smiling wickedly, and licking his lips. 'That's right Tommy boy.'

Tommy boy then reached behind him, with his free arm, for something that Zeke was handing him. Bringing his arm back around, Kimber saw the flash of light off of metal, at the same instant cold steel touched her cheek.

'Now, I don't have to tell you what will happen if you fight, now do I?' With that, both men laughed, low and deep in their throats, as a tear fell from Kimber's eyelash, trailing down over her cheek.

Wiping the tear away with the edge of the knife, Tommy boy only shook his head. 'Don't cry honey. You are gonna love this...we guarantee it.'

Then, balancing the knife in his hand, he used his free fingers to undo the zipper on Kimber's coat. Feeling no hope of being rescued, Kimber only whimpered her sobbing muffled behind the meaty hand.

After getting her coat undone, Tommy boy took the knife securely in his hand, and placed it up against the top button of Kimber's uniform. With a slight flick of his wrist, he cut the button loose. When he did, Kimber gasped, and it only helped to encourage Tommy boy in his endeavor.

Working his way down, he was able to get almost all of the buttons cut loose. Then, handing the knife back to Zeke, he looked to Kimber. 'Now, I am going to take my hand away. If you scream, you are dead. If you try to run, you are dead. Understand?' Kimber, her eyes wide with fear, and filled with tears, only shook her head, and cried.

'Please....' she whispered, 'please don't...'

'I love it when they fight,' he chuckled, moving from her mouth to lick a path over her cheek, and down her throat.

Just when she thought all was lost, Kimber looked up, and a dark form moved from the shadows, and passed behind Zeke. In the next moment, events became blurred, and indistinct. One moment, Tommy boy was all over her, the next Zeke was screaming out in pain. Turning around, Tommy boy looked behind him. Before he could react, the dark figure stepped from the shadows, and struck Tommy boy.

'Michael?' she whispered. In the next instant, darkness claimed her, and enveloped her.

************

With that last thought, and the flash of memory of her knights shining green eyes, Kimber sat straight up in bed, and screamed. Looking around, she realized she was in her own bed, in her own apartment. Everything was as it should be. Except, there was a man, rushing through the bedroom door, with a look of concern etched on his face.

When Kimber saw the man, it didn't register just who he was. She moved across the bed, and leaping off of it, pressed her back against the wall. She was so frightened, her breath was coming in short, painful gasps. She watched the man slowly walk towards her, a scream stifled, as her throat constricted with fear.

'Its okay, I am not going to hurt you,' Michael whispered softly. He knew that, when she woke up, that she would be disoriented, even frightened. But, this he was not prepared for. Kimber appeared to be having trouble breathing, and her eyes were round and wild. She resembled a cornered, frightened animal. And, Michael did not like thinking he was the cause of such fright.

Michael felt as if his heart was being ripped out, hearing the pain and anguish in Kimber's voice. He stopped his advance, and just stood completely still. After a few moments, he took a deep breath, and spoke in low, hushed tones.

'Kimber, I am not going to hurt you. I only want to help,' he offered.

Michael took a small step forward, and Kimber started to slide along the wall. When she had reached the corner, just behind the nightstand, she realized she had boxed herself in, and whimpered.

'Kimber, think back. To last night. Two men, they attacked you, they tried to hurt you.'

Michael waited, as he saw the look of terror and fear on her face change to one of deep concentration. After a few moments, she looked up, and shaking her head up and down, spoke.

'I remember. They were going to...' she trailed off, fear trying to take her over again. But, he watched her fight the feeling back, and keep it at bay. 'Then...then something, someone saved me. A dark shadow....' Then, looking up, and gazing into Michael's eyes, she whispered, '...my knight in shining armor.'

Michael only nodded, relieved that she no longer saw him as the enemy. As she pieced the sequence of events from her memory together, Michael watched her breathing ease and return to normal. After a few moments, she wiggled from behind the bedside table, and moved towards him.

'Michael?' she murmured, not sure of what she was remembering.

'Oui,' he replied, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. Then, reaching out his hand, palm up, he motioned to her. Watching him tentatively at first, after a few moments, Kimber slowly moved towards him. When she was within reach, she placed her small, delicate hand in his, and grasping tightly, he pulled her firmly to him.

Drawing her closely, he wrapped her in his arms, Kimber placing her head on his chest. Raising his hand, he slowly and lovingly caressed her hair. It felt like silk, and smelled of the softest scent of shampoo. Closing his eyes, he continued to hold her, as small, mournful sobs wracked her body. He held her, and protected her, all through the night, and into the early hours of the morning.

***********

Drifting in-between slumber and consciousness, Kimber smiled, and stretched. She had not slept through the night in so long, she forgot what it felt like. And, upon wakening, she felt warm, secure, and for some unknown reason... protected. As a momentary thought of cautiousness crossed her mind, she moved to sit up. But, when she did, she found that she was being held down. Held down by an arm lying casually across her stomach.

Wondering to herself what he was dreaming, she smiled. Reaching cautiously across the bed, she ran her fingertip lightly across his brow, and down the bridge of his nose. He was perhaps the most beautiful, perfect man she had ever seen. Softly, she brushed his bottom lip with her finger, smiling to herself at the feel of his skin.

Wondering who he was, and how he came to be in her bed, his body suddenly tensed. Jerking her hand back, she stiffened as his arm moved, the muscles flexing from his constant opening and closing of his hand. His breathing quickened, and was now nothing but short, frantic gasps. He moved his head, from side to side, and mumbled incomprehensibly. His brows drew together, and in the next instant, he yelled out 'Nikita...no!'.

In the next instant, the 9-1-1 operator picked up and her soft yet professional voice carried over the connection. '9-1-1, what is your emergency?'

Breathing a sigh of relief, Kimber opened her mouth to reply. But, before she could, he was there. He was standing in front of her, and looking intently at her. His green eyes showed a mixture of both fear, and confusion. 'Please hang up the phone,' he whispered in an accent that was familiar yet eluded Kimber. Caught off guard by the softness of his voice, Kimber could only stare at him. After a few seconds, she heard the operator again, 'Hello? 9-1-1, what is your emergency?'

Bringing her full attention back to him, she watched as he slowly walked towards her. 'Kimber, I will not hurt you. Please, do not be afraid,' he urged, his voice traveling over her skin, soothing and calming her. Suddenly, and to her own surprise, she was not afraid anymore. She instinctively knew that this man would not hurt, nor harm her. When the realization of this very thought rooted itself within her brain, she relaxed slightly, and stood her ground.

Clearing his throat, and reaching up, he pulled her arms from around him, and stepped a few feet backward. 'Are you okay?' he asked, trying to quell the emotions that threatened to rise to the surface. He admitted he was attracted to Kimber, but had to keep his feelings in check. It would do neither one of them any good for him to act on his feelings. He would not allow his growing sense of doom, not knowing who or what he was cast a shadow over Kimber's life.

Kimber, not understanding Michael's sudden stand off attitude, dropped her head, to hide her sudden embarrassment. She had literally flung herself at him, and now he was too embarrassed to tell her he was not interested. *Great going, Kimber* she berated herself. *How are you going to be able to look him in the eyes now?* she thought. He had been kind enough to rescue her, then stay all night to make sure she was safe, and how did she repay him? Why, by practically accosting the poor man.

Keeping her head down, she moved around Michael, and into the kitchen. Reaching up into the cabinet, she took down a can of coffee, and proceeded to place water and grinds into the percolator. She needed to keep herself busy, with anything, just so she wouldn't have to face him. But, her tactic was not going to work, because Michael was suddenly there. She felt the movement of air behind her, and in the next instant felt his hand lightly on her shoulder.

Watching her intently, and looking deep into her eyes, Michael had the strangest feeling of deja vu. He felt as if he knew this fragile, young creature before him, and that he had to do everything in his power to protect her and keep her safe. But, thinking to himself, that cannot be. He had only met her the night before. Still, there was an undeniable familiarity there, that made him feel at home, and at ease with her.

Leaning in again, Michael slowly ran his tongue over Kimber's bottom lip. Kimber sighed, and leaned into Michael, allowing him to kiss her again. This time, when his lips covered hers, it was with more urgency. Michael felt something in that kiss that he had not felt in a long time. He felt a breathlessness unlike any other before.

Kimber, encircling her arms around Michael's neck, ran her hands up into his hair, weaving its auburn length back and forth between her fingers, caressing and stroking his scalp. She matched Michael in need and intensity, reveling in the sensations he ignited in her. She felt as if she were floating, every nerve ending on fire, and he was the only lifeline back to earth. She felt warm, and secure, and loved. She felt wanted, and most of all needed.

Continuing to kiss, and stroke each other, neither heard the phone until the fourth ring. Breaking apart, and stepping back from one another, Michael and Kimber were both breathless. Looking at one another for a few seconds, Kimber broke the silence first. 'I better answer that,' she whispered, giving Michael a wide berth as she stepped around him, absentmindedly wiping the back of her hand across her mouth, and pushing her hair back from her face.

Picking up the phone, she spoke in short, soft tones. After a few moments, she hung the phone up, and turned to Michael. She shifted her weight back and forth on the balls of her feet, and looked down at the floor. 'That was work. Tina called in sick, so I have to work the afternoon shift.'

Before waiting for a reply, she turned and headed for the bedroom, to change into her uniform. Michael, still standing in the kitchen, only watched her go. He did not understand why what happened had just happened, but he was sure of one thing. He could not let it happen again. Kimber's very life could depend on it.

***********

Walking up the steps toward her apartment, Kimber knew she should be tired, but, she wasn't. She was worried, and agitated, and finally frustrated. The events of earlier in the day, in her kitchen, kept coming back to her. Playing the events over and over in her head, she tried to look at the situation logically. But, everytime, she would fail. Her memory would remind her of the feeling of Michael's lips on hers, the feel of his hands on her skin. She would close her eyes, and remember all the feelings and sensations that he brought out, and would go weak in the knees. *If this is what a memory does to you* she would ask herself *how do you hope to deal with the real thing?*

When she turned back around, he was there. He was wearing one of her oversized flannel shirts, with a pair of her friend Annie's boyfriend’s sweats. He had taken a shower, and his hair hung in damp curls, hugging his head tightly, and framing his face. But, the thing that she could not take her eyes off of were his eyes. With his hair slightly darker, from the shower, his eyes appeared an even deeper and intense shade of green. They mesmerized and lulled her into a sense of security.

'Welcome home,' he offered, smiling slightly. When he smiled, Kimber got the feeling that the very act itself was something strange to him. That there were very few things in his life that he smiled about. That thought, in that moment, made her suddenly sad for him. Picking up on her somber mood, Michael looked down at the floor. 'I will just change, and be going,' he said, and turned for the bedroom.

'No… wait,' Kimber stammered, moving across the room and closer to him. 'That is not necessary. You can stay here, that is not a problem. I mean,' she smiled, 'you did save me.' Waiting a few moments, and seeing him nod in agreement, Kimber moved to the kitchen, throwing her keys on the small round table there. Then, turning to look back at Michael, tilted her head.

'I am just going to go change, then we will decided on dinner, okay?' she asked, as Michael nodded in agreement. Kimber then disappeared into her bedroom, where she changed out of her waitress uniform, and into a pair of black jeans, and black silk top. Pulling her hair back into a loose ponytail, she checked herself in the mirror. Smiling a weak, unsure smile, she turned and headed back towards the living room.

Entering the room, she found Michael occupying himself with checking out her CD collection. Clearing her throat, she noticed the tension grip his shoulders, before he turned to her. 'Quite a collection that you have here,' he said, shuffling CD cases through his hands.

'Yeah, well, what can I say? I have a rather diverse taste in music,' she replied, moving up beside Michael. She moved in, taking a few of the CD's from him, when his fingers lightly brushed hers. The feeling, more like a small electrical shock, jolted her momentarily, causing her to inhale suddenly.

'Kimber, is something wrong?' he asked, concern creeping into his voice. Michael started to touch her again, when Kimber stepped back, and moved across the room.

'So, what do you feel like for dinner? Italian? Chinese?' she inquired. But, before Michael could answer, the phone rang.

Walking over, and picking it up, Kimber spoke. 'Hello?'

On the other end of the line was her friend Annie. 'So, Kimber...where are you?'

Kimber laughed, 'I am at home, obviously. Why, where are you?'

'At the club...remember? Hap's...drinks...dancing...FUN?' Annie emphasized.

Kimber placed her hand to her head, and closed her eyes. 'I forgot all about it Annie. I am afraid I will have to take a rain check.'

'Oh no!! Not this time missy. You promised!! So, get your sorry butt down here... pronto!!'

'Okay, okay!! Don't have a fit or anything on me. I will there within the hour.'

Annie laughed, agreed, and Kimber hung up the phone. Turning, she had forgotten about Michael. Should she invite him along, or would he feel out of place? She couldn't just leave him here, and she had to go. She had promised Annie already.

Walking over to the table, and picking up her keys, she played with the fob. Then, looking up at Michael, she smiling slightly. 'That was Annie. She and a bunch of people we know are at Hap's, a local club. I had promised to go...before... well before...you know.'

Michael stepped towards Kimber, coming within arms reach of her. Then, raising his hand, he stroked her cheek. 'It is okay. I understand. May I come with you?' he asked.

Kimber smiled brightly. 'I wouldn't have it any other way.' Then, reluctantly, she stepped back from his touch, turned and headed for the door. 'Wait,' he started, 'Do I need to change?'

Kimber gazed back over her shoulder at him. 'Nah, you look fine. Come on, let’s go.' She opened the door, and waited for him to proceed her. Then, after he had moved through, she followed closing and locking the door behind her. Once in the hallway, Michael waited for her. Coming up beside him, she smiled when Michael offered her his arm. Placing her arm through the bend of Michael's, and pushing a stray lock of hair back behind her ear, Kimber smiled.