I Had An Angel..

[Molly Black]

There was something to be said about going through the motions of an everyday act in a moment of crisis. The whole planet could be about to implode into a pile of space dust, but in this moment, all she needed to focus on was carefully pinching just the correct amount of tea leaves into the little mesh ball. The last few possesions she owned were spread about her on the floor of her tiny, closet sized room. The tea pot, that had belonged to her Mama, had been carefully heated, and was awaiting the gentle splash of the tiny tea ball. She lowered it into the water ignoring the inevitable confrontation that was coming. The flowery scent of the leaves drifted up from the steaming water and soothed her senses with memories of her childhood. She poured the precious brew into a tiny chipped tea cup and added a liberal portion of sweetner, a vice of hers.

Taking her cup with her, Molly scooted across the floor and settled against the wall. There was no furniture left to sit on. She had sold everything to keep her last measure of a respectable life. The only warmth in the otherwise frigid room came from the cup her small hands were wrapped around. Taking a sip, she willed the rythmic thumping of the landlords footsteps to go away. Her luck was out.

BANG BANG BANG!

She was silent as long as she could be, he knew full well she was in there.

"Black! Get yer tail out of my establishment. Yer rent is more then late and I am not having my paying customers subjected to the likes of ye another minute. This ain't a charity house. I'm calling the watch."

With a heartfelt sigh, Molly swallowed the remainder of the tea and wiped the cup out with her shirt tail. Carefully wrapping the pot and cup in a soft blanket, she tied them into a tidy bundle and moved to open the door. Stepping outside and closing the door behind her, she lifted her chin and met her landlords eyes with what little dignity she had.

"I'm going."

"Ye know Black, I am not without a heart. You could stay in yer nice cozy room, providing ye look on me a little more kindly. Ye have lovely eyes, darlin'."

She didn't suppress the look of revulsion that crossed her features at the thought his words evoked. She feared she'd be sick.

"Not for a suite at The Grande. Thank you."

She proudly walked passed him to the stairs and began her descent. Not more than a few steps down she saw a shadow coming up fast behind her.

"I'll teach you to talk back to your betters!"

His foot planted into the middle of her bottom, he gave a hard shove that sent her sprawling down the stairs. She tumbled, sure she was going to break her neck right then and there. Somehow, as her luck would have it, she survived. She was fairly certain her wrist was broken and she tasted blood in her mouth. But what finally broke her was the sight of her mother's teapot in a million pieces spread across the landing. Grabbing a handful in her trembling hands she let go of one soft sob. Something inside her broke then. She closed her fist around the fragmented pieces and squeezed until a trickle of blood oozed from between her fingers, she didn't care. Rising, with a grace that belied the pain she was in she walked out the door, obliviously to the laughter that followed her.

[Hadrian Mortmain]

"The Station"


Within one of the small offices, the Captain allowed the young woman to wait. She was a pretty little thing, obviously abused by some vile form of a man. This was definately right up Hadrian Mortmain's alley - he being the Sergeant and all. He needed something to take his mind off of whatever it was latched into right now. Those in league with this particular branch of authorities knew they were losing him, and fast.

Cpt. Dalton had been friends with the cool demeanored man for a long while now - going on five years, if he recalled correctly. It was only recently that the man had begun taking walks, smoking, and drinking more than was safe. It was a little secret he kept - no one ever knew since the man held himself in check so well.

The middle aged man thought of the girl's situation and the possible events that might have lead to Hadrian's own fall-out with justice as of late while he prepared the young miss some coffee. It was only a few moments after he had begun this thought process that the uniformed officer decided to make an entrance.

______

The night was slow. Boring. Same as every night before it. Hadrian gloomily pushed open the double doors to 'The Station' and made his way over to his private office. The Captain, he happened to notice, was already on his way to pester him. Probably about the scent of cloves eminating from his disheveled uniform or the sorry sheen of his military issue boots. He glanced down to their untied state with a meaningful glare, then bent to tuck them under his pants legs.

"Sir, just brought a girl in off the streets. She was attacked. Not saying much."

"And what would you like me to do about that?" He ground out, lifting his head so he might observe the mothering stare of the inferior officer.

In answer, the man lifted the steaming cup of coffee he had prepared for the victim. "Bribe her with nasty coffee maybe? She's cute..."

"Oh bah."

He stood, snatching the cup out of his hands, only to have it slosh mockingly onto his coat. Muffling a curse into a low grumble, he removed the jacket and then strode quite proudly out of the messy office.

__

"Evening, miss. I understand that you've been hurt. Perhaps I can be of some assistance." He offered, setting the cup in front of her before taking a seat at the opposing end of the rectangular table. He gazed upon her with renewed interest that had been missing from his work for years. She looked.. familiar.

Crossing his legs low beneath the table, he reclined back in the chair as though there wasn't a care in the world. Slipping? No. Perhaps he was just growing more comfortable with his job. He pasted on a smile and tipped his head.

[Molly Black]

"I don't..know. I didn't come here to file a report. I was seeking medical attention for my wrist. Your Cpt. Dalton assured me that I would recieve care?"

If Molly did feel a brief moment of recognition, she shoved it aside. She was in a good deal of pain and had been left sitting in the wreck of an office far longer than was warranted she was sure. She regarded the small cup of caf skeptically. Figuring she should accept any kindness shown to her at that point she reached forward with her left hand and took a small sip. She covered up a grimace at the burnt, hours old, flavor.

"Thank you, it's good."

Her right arm was tucked up to her chest, protectively. The bleeding from her split lip had subsided but left a scab and her eyes were both showing signs of darknening.

Molly was a tad disappointed, she expected something more grand the way the captain had gone on about how she would be okay when the sarge' got back. Instead of a polished officer come to take her cares away, she was faced with what could only be described as a wastrel. He reeked of too many cigarettes and his clothes looked as if he'd been wearing them for days. If this was his office, she would really hate to see where he lived. He seemed to be eying her up as well, and in her own defense she was not at her best, so maybe neither was he?

"Really its nothing. I.. I fell down my stairs."

[Hadrian Mortmain]

"You fell down.. your stairs." He repeated dryly, gazing directly into those lovely, skeptically blue eyes of hers. With that look, it was simple to discern that he didn't believe her, nor was he about to settle for such a mound of bull -

The captain entered the room cautiously, revealing a first aid kit tucked beneath his arm. He meant to linger, Hadrian realized in mild annoyance. Scowling, he shot up from the chair he had taken and stalked over to the paling officer.

"That will be all, Captain. I believe I can handle my work alone." He bit out, snatching the kit from him and popping it open. He set about cleaning the injured area of her arm before wrapping it secure with a thick bandage. He wasn't exactly skilled in the whole medical whatever and what not, but he was sure it would hold until he could get her to some better accommodations.

Tearing his eyes away from the bandage after sealing it, he meet her bold eyes and held them in a challenging look of his own. They were assessing him, it seemed. Scrutinizing. She really had no authority to judge when she looked rather like a trollop.

"My dear, I'll have you know, I'm not a moron. I deal with cases like you all of the time. Who hurt you?" He murmured fiercely, his eyes wandering away. Picking up a stray piece of gauze, he canted his head and patted at her split lip gently, the dried blood flecking away.

[Molly Black]

Men of the law, especially in the seedy area of the city that she lived in, were hand picked because of their strength. They had to be capable of dealing with the violent ruthless types that roamed the dangerous streets. Molly could tell that "the 'sarge" was no exception. He had an aura of barely leashed rage. That was why his gentleness in dealing with her was her undoing.

As he patted at her split lip, a tear, the first she had shed since walking through the doors, rolled down her cheek. His gaze bored straight through her. After all that had happened, it was not reassuring. It was terrifying. She lowered her gaze and muttered under her breath.

"It dosen't matter. I can't go back there anyways. It won't happen again. I should go."

[Hadrian Mortmain]

"You shall not go anywhere. If you don't want to help yourself, help the other women out there who are going to be hurt by.." He paused, realizing in mild annoyance that he didn't know a wit about whoever it was that had done this to her. Usually, by now, the paper work was all finished and he had the brute under arrest. Why was she being so difficult? Perhaps he had been wrong in saying that he had cases such as her previously. She certainly was a unique individual. Still, he could not shake the feeling that he knew her from.. somewhere. In his past. Long ago.

"Anyway, Miss. I'll need to type in a report, at least. You came here for my help and that is what you are going to get." He said, his voice a bit more firm and direct, more so than usual. Taking a seat next to her, after dragging his chair around the table, he fished the data pad out of his pocket and slanted a glance to her.

"Name?"

[Molly Black]

With yet another sigh of resignation, Molly gave up. It was painfully apparent that she would not be leaving the station without giving at least a summary of what had occurred and her name. She lowered her head a notch and became as compliant as she could.

"Molina.. Black. I go by Molly."

Growing irritable at being bullied into staying when she wanted to flee, she wiggled her cup of caf at the officer. "Do you at least have any sweetner? If I am staying, I am going to have to drink this and its horrible."

[Hadrian Mortmain]

"Molly..."

______

"It's okay, Mol. You know, I wont let anything happen to you. Things may seem bad, but as long as we are together, you know?" A very young and stupid version of himself had once said. He had said it to her. The little girl forever at his heels, at his side. It was where she belonged and he wouldn't have had it any other way.

At least at that point in time.

Later, he could recall several more incidents revolving around her. Beating up that guy hanging all over her, getting quite an ear full afterward, then asking her out while they drank coffee and watched ships land in the port across from Estate.

It had been a long time ago. Everything so intricately placed, almost as if fate was directing them toward every mistake, everything right. It was so hard to tell what was real.
______

He had been silent for a while, it was her voice that brought him back. His hand had tightened around the small data pad to the point of cracking the screen. It had blackened. Like the heart within upon learning that he had broken his promise. He had lost track..

"Molly..." He canted his head downward, hair slanting over his amber gaze. Releasing the data pad onto the table with a loud 'clank', he placed his hands on the cool surface, unable to meet her confused stare.

"Who did this to you, Mol?"

[Molly Black]

She would have bet the expression on her face was comical. It went from shock, to agitation at lightspeed. Her eyes narrowed, but even she was not quite sure if it was speculation, or anger she felt more at the moment.

"Nobody calls me "Mol". At least not anymore. When they did.. it was mostly family."

She sat forward in her seat, still in pain. She'd had enough. Now she was past the limit of all she could handle in a day without snapping. The poor 'sarge was in trouble.

"So which cousin are you, Sergeant?"

[Hadrian Mortmain]

He winced, taking a step back just to be cautious. She had an ugly temper as a girl and seeing as how that cup he had brought her was within her reach, he didn't want it to make contact his head when he next spoke.

"Mol, it's me!" He laughed nervously, thrusting his hands out in front of him. Did she really not recognize him? Now that he had the time to look her over, he could see perfectly the girl from his childhood. He smiled slightly, lowering his head.

"Hadrian. Hadrian Mortmain. Remember me?"

He had to get her talking, remembering. He had to find out who had done this to her so he could... to something.. about it.

With his head angled downward, she could not see the violence swimming in his gaze. Whoever had done this to her would pay dearly.

[Molly Black]

"Hadrain Mortmain! Get out of that tree and come down here so I can give you a kiss!"

"Not on your life, Mol! You aren't going to kiss me, you're going to pound my head with a rock for scorching your hair! I'm sorry okay, leave off!"

He had eventually come down from that tree. She'd sucker punched him in the stomach for the burnt smell that would stick to her for days. He hadn't meant for the minature rocket to go off that close! But she'd wanted a good seat and..well..

Later that day, he kissed her. It had been her first kiss and she still curled her toes and smiled everytime she thought about it. That had been ten years ago.. She'd been thirteen.



"Hadrian..?" She seemed frozen for a long time. Then without warning she launched herself out of the seat and into his arms, burying her face in his shoulder and cried.

Captain Dalton waltzed by Hadrian's office just then and muttered at them. "Bit faster than usually 'Sarge, congrats!" To which they both turned and yelled.

"SHUT UP!"

[Hadrian Mortmain]

The Captain gave them a bewildered look before sliding away from the office. Now given a bit more time alone with her, he wrapped one of his arms firmly about her waist and pressed her head against his chest with a gentle touch from his unoccupied hand. It gave him a moment to get a rein on his emotions - someone had hurt her and that person would pay, yes. But then, a icy cold slap from logic was sent his way. Imprisoning the man over night, knowing that he would just get out with a slap on the wrists wasn't good enough. He knew how this place worked better than anyone. To them, she was a mere slip of a girl who had gotten what she had been asking for.

He scowled slightly, his grip tightening on her waist for a moment before he thrust her back to an arms length.

"Mol, I'm gonna get him. I swear it." He whispered fiercely, not really caring if his nosey assistant was still eavesdropping. "You will show me where he is. I will.. take care of it."

[Molly Black]

She sniffled, but eventually caved in and gave him her address. More specifically her former address. She was never going back there again.

"Hadrian.. You should know the reason behind all this. I couldn't pay my rent, I lost my job at the cafe. The only jobs that are available right now are.. not of the decent sort. I didn't want that, so I sold everything I owned to pay my bills. It wasn't enough.. He threw me out, but not until he'd offered to let me stay if I.. submitted to him." She shuddered at the reminder and tried not to be sick in front of Hadrian.

"When I lost my temper and told him what I though of his offer, he shoved me down the stairs. He broke Mom's tea pot." A new wave of tears threatened to spill over, but they were dabbed away by a concerned Hadrian, who had grown curiously silent. She knew he was a bit more than angry.

"I don't want to go.. Can't I stay somewhere? I'll even stay in your messy office!"

[Hadrian Mortmain]

Hadrian scanned over the address, noting it was not too far from where he was currently living. His apartment was in better shape than his office, considering he was rarely there and the maid tended to it every Sunday. She'd be safe there and that was all that really mattered at this point in time. The rest, he'd worry about after he had finished with her attacker.

"You can stay in my apartment for now, Molly. Take a shower, get something to eat, and some rest." He offered, pasting on the most convincing smile he could muster. Then, he slipped his hand into her uninjured one and tugged her out of the office.

After mumbling some excuse to the Captain, they both moved down the street, took a few alleys and then they came to stand before a large apartment building. Upon entering, it was plain to see that the inside was belittled by the out. It smelled clean, was full of plush carpet, and friendly faces.

He lived on the first floor a few rooms in. He stopped before the door 203 and opened it for her, then motioned her inside.

"It isn't exactly an estate, but you know.."

[Molly Black]

"Hadrian, I'm homeless. Anything is an estate." She stepped inside and smiled. Not half bad for the salary that the watch recieved.

"I really wish you'd just stay. I owe the guy money, he might come after me.." She held up a hand before he could talk. "I know I know, you'll take care of it. Just come back soon okay and see if you can get a binder for my arm.."

As if she did it everyday, when really she hadn't seen him in years, Molly walked up to her knight in shining armor and wrapped her arms around him squeezing him tightly. "Thanks for popping back into my life when I needed you, you are the best Hadrian. I always said so."

[Hadrian Mortmain]

“When you weren’t beating the crap out of me…” He mumbled softly, wrapping his arms about her as well, placing a gentle kiss upon her head. The last bit of innocence that would ever come from him. He prayed they would make it through this night and afterward, when he was a wanted man for utterly destroying the filth that had dared lay a hand on his Molly. Drawing back from her, he flashed her a smile before disappearing out the doorway.

Hadrian proceeded down numerous alleys and seedy streets, growling at the woman who clawed at his coat with mewls of invitation and seeking hands. He really hated this side of town, hated the people here and would have thought nothing of taking their slimy selves in were he on the clock. But tonight, everything was for Molly. Luckily for them.

He reached the establishment in which the bastard resided. It was easy to slip into his apartment unnoticed, easy to find him. He watched in disgust as he pawed at some young chit - just about Molly’s height. She didn’t seem to be enjoying it anymore than Hadrian was.

He pushed the folds of his coat back, revealing a weapon, previously concealed at his side. He drew it forth, revealing it to be vibroblade. It hummed with excitement, much like that urge coursing through his body. He brushed into the room, lacking the stealth which he had used to enter. His hand clamped down on the man’s shoulder and he flung him away from the young girl, who promptly gasped and fled the chamber upon noticing his weapon.

“Could she not pay for her room either, you frelling swine!” He snarled at the man, leaning over him like a foreboding tower, radiating the man’s impending doom, leering the shivering weapon in his direction. The man let out a frightened squeak.

I don’t know what you’re talking about!

“Of course you don’t. That’s why I’m here to remind you…” He whispered, his voice twisted. He slammed the blade into the man’s shoulder, wrenching it about for a moment, reveling in his pain filled screams. “Molly Black. Your ill treatment of her… it was very disappointing news, sir. You shouldn’t have touched her. It was as if you were seeking death.”

No no! I never meant it! Pleaaaase, sir!

“Now you can have it…”

_____

So much blood. Obviously, he had decided to use other things than the blade. He was covered in crimson, liquid substance. He let out a restless sigh and entered his apartment building, not bothering to avoid any horrified gazes.

S-sir!

“Long night, Gibbs. Long night…” He murmured to his neighbor before entering his apartment. He feared what Molly would think of it all. He had no regrets. Not one. The man deserved to die and Hadrian had ensured that he had. Most gruesomely.

[Molly Black]

She couldn't remember the last time she had felt so...safe. It was not her childhood home with laughing faces and that familiar smell that seemed to cling to everything, but it was almost as good. Molly spent the first few minutes walking around just snooping a bit into how Hadrian had turned from her old scrawny boyfriend into a crime fighting hero. The plaques and awards alone were impressive, if a bit .. outdated. It seemed he was in a bit of a slump.

Invading his kitchen she scavenged for food only to find a variety of old leftovers and to go meals from local restaurants. Hadrian.. you are such a bachelor. She smiled and figured she could have him get her something to eat when he returned. She stripped tossing her dirty clothes in a bin with his and took a quick shower, then stole one of his clean shirts and tried to wait up.

But he didn't come back. She woke up a short while later with a horrible pain in her neck from dozing in the chair by the window. Maybe he had been called back to the station? Maybe he had brought the guy in on charges? She wasn't worried. He was her Hadrian, he could do anything.

On that note, she curled up on his bed, on top of the sheets, fully intending to stay wake and wait for him. Seconds later she was out cold, sleeping the kind of deep sleep that only the truly weary could obtain.

She was safe.

[Hadrian Mortmain]

He panicked at first, searching his apartment for the woman he had sworn to protect. Then, he settled when he found her sleeping in bed. His bed. He arched a brow and approached her silently, extending one hand toward her upturned shoulder. He paused, however, as a torrent of blood dripped down to the underside of his curved palm. Wincing, he dragged his hand away from her and turned toward the bathroom adjoined to the master bedroom. He wanted to wash it all away. Somehow, he was not yet satisfied. Perhaps because he knew what was to come.

Wiping his hand across the front of his jacket, he shed the upper layer of his clothing and entered the washroom. There, he showered. The hot water did wonders for his aching body and frayed nerves. Releasing yet another sigh, his mind wandering, replaying the events of the early evening, he rested his hand against the front wall of the walk-in shower, watching the watery blood wash down its length. They had to leave soon. They had to get away before his own forces discovered what they had done. While they could take the ever common injury inflicted by a rowdy landlord, a good cop gone bad was a whole different story.

He slammed his fist forward, cracking the white tile that stood in his way. Then, he stepped out of the shower, donned some new clothes and sat on the bed beside Molly. He smiled slightly, just slightly. Then, he filled up the rest of the bed with his somewhat muscular frame, cradling her backside against him.