Men begin to push other men out of there way to get a better view which begins their own fights. Women pull the hair of other women and begin to kick and accuse. Izzy throws her shattered glass at one man making his way towards me. It cuts his face and he runs at her. I kick his stomach and shove the heal of my palm upwards into his nose. He doubles over in pain and cups his bloody face. I take a bar stool and whack him over his head with it, knocking him out cold.

"Damn Jean" Izzy stares shocked before running behind the bar for shelter. "Behind you!" She yells before ducking.

Whipping around I also duck, dodging a punch meant for my face. I shove my hand at a short, stubby man's throat, causing him to cough and stumble over to the bar counter for support. Incontinently, a beer bottle smashes over his head, the beer bubbling down his face obscuring his vision. Standing with a devious smirk on his face is James. Grabbing the towel off of James' forearm I wrap it around the man's neck cutting off his air supply.

"I would typically avoid using such brash methods, but through my studies of these people I have come to the conclusion that this is the only way to restrain them." James smiles innocently and nods, "I am such an erudite student."

I return a smile, but the man grabs my wrist and twists it causing me to release the towel. His short grubby hands shove me back as he turns around grabbing James by the collar of his shirt. "You have some nerves doing that to me."

"Well an average human being has approximately 100 billion nerves in their body. But I am taller than the average male and you appear to be smaller so, the facts say I have more nerves than you."

The man fumes with anger, reaching over the counter he grabs James' throat. Instinctively I clench his wiry hair and yank his head back before smashing it down into the bar. His hand falls from James' throat and he slumps down, unconscious.

"James?" I ask getting his attention, "do me a favour and hide behind the counter?"

James opens his mouth in protest before a bottle is thrown and smashes behind him. He shuts his mouth and crouches behind the bar with Izzy.

Swirling around I watch Alaric take on two men and an aggressive woman clinging to his back. Knowing the gentleman he is, Alaric wouldn't dare threaten her pretty face... but that doesn't me I won't.

Walking behind him I rub my bruised knuckles and grab the women's head. Yanking her backwards I force her off of Alaric's back. I snap my fist to her symmetrical, freckled face and she limply lays on the ground.

Another woman flings herself at me from behind, knocking me to the floor as her arms wrapped around my neck. I fight her death grip as a drink is thrown at us followed by a chair. Izzy is now chucking cutlery at the girl on my back. I snag a fork and jab it into her arm. She screams and loosens her grip as I take hold her arm and throw her over my shoulder. She lands beside her friend on the alcohol infused floor roughly, unmoving but awake. I nod at Izzy and she runs over spewing insults at the girl before knocking her out with a kick.

Finally, the man who started this in the first place grabs my waist and turns me towards him slyly. "I don't like girls who don't listen, but I do love a girl who knows how to fight."

"I don't listen," I whisper into his ear seductively, "and I don't fight. I kill." Before he can reply I jab a knee him in his groin as he grabs my hand and swings me to the ground. I smack my head hard on the back of a fallen chair. I move to stand up but loose my balance. Helplessly, I prop myself onto my elbows and watch the man take a step towards me. The smirk on his face falling before his knees buckle and his face meets the floor. Alaric stands behind him, his fist and jaw clenched.

"Everyone listen up!" Alaric booms and the crowd quiets at his rage. "Treat this woman with the respect that she has earned. I have no doubt that she could easily take on everyone of you in a fight if it came down to it. Do not touch her again or there will be repercussions. Jean has earned the archer spot on my crew, she will be traveling with me on my missions and will be honoured in this Clan." Alaric looks down and me and let's a little smile slip onto his lips before looking up again. "Now leave before you really regret it."

The voices mumble as people grab their friends off of the floor and move out the door. Stares dig into my body as Alaric walks over and gives me a hand up. I wobble forwards and nearly tumble to the floor as he catches me. My head aches a little and I touch my brow to feel the blood cover my finger.

"Are you okay?" Alaric asks concerned, "you hit your head pretty hard there."

"Yeah," I sigh, "I'm fine, just glad that you had my back there."

"Jean," Alaric turns me towards him, his stare intense and serious. "I will always have your back. You are apart of my team, and I never leave a teammate behind."

"I presume we can exit the saloon?" James walks up to us giving a wave goodbye to the bartender left to clean the mess with a few other employees.

I turn to see Izzy flirting with a beautiful girl leaning against the bar. They both laugh and the woman touches Izzy's arm while she brushes a piece of her hair behind her ear.

"She's better at it than I am," Alaric pouts.

"No worries," I tap his shoulder, "you can't be as bad as the guy who started the brawl."

"Actually you started the brawl," James corrects counting his coins from his pocket.

"I'm sorry?" I ask tilting my head and stretching an agitated smile across my face.

"I forgive you. I could've made more tips tonight but this will suffice for now." James continues to count and I sigh.

"I'm ready to go," I turn to Alaric and he nods calling for Izzy.

As we head home Izzy and James recall the bar fight, bragging about each of their hits. Alaric walks slowly beside me offering support when I need it.

"I can take you back to my place and patch you up if you'd like." Alaric analyzes my wounds and I roll my eyes.

"I'm sure you'd love to take me back to your place."

"Well I'd prefer it under better circumstances, but a man has to take it where he can get it." Alaric winks and I fake throwing up.

"In your dreams lover boy," I shake my head and release his arm, confident I can walk on my own.

"Ironically you show up in them quite often."

"Please stop. If I can sleep in tomorrow that would be better than any bandages you could give me." I stroll close behind Izzy who laughs loudly.

"Okay, no training tomorrow. But you do have to meet a couple people and someone very dear to me." Alaric grows serious and I know better than to make a joke.

"Okay," I reply as we reach the door to my humble abode. "Who are we meeting?"

"Our assassination team, and my father." Alaric walks me up the steps as I take his arm to balance myself.

"Your dad?" I ask cautiously, "are you sure you want to introduce me to him. I'm known for messing up balanced relationships."

"You'll be fine," Alaric stops at the door where Izzy and James walked through. "He'll love you."

I shift under his warm gaze which leaves me with suspicious goosebumps. Giving him a small smile I slide to the door and rest my hand on the handle before turning back. "Goodnight Alaric."

"Goodnight buttercup. Get better, I'll see you tomorrow." Alaric smiles kindly before walking away.

Sliding into the quite house I shut the door, Izzy immediately grabs my arm and pulls me aside. "So, what did he say?"

"What are you talking about?" I ask pulling my arm away from her.

"Did he try to make a move? Because you know Luke is still out there," her eyebrows raise.

"Yes, I know Luke is still out there, and I am going to find him." I grow quiet as I stare at her excited, sparkling eyes. "Why must you know what Alaric said to me? Do you like him?"

"I mean I flirt with him, but we don't have that connection you guys do. It's kind of like a realistic knock off version of the chemistry between you and Luke." Her smile fades and she pulls me towards her. "I know you miss him, but Alaric is a good guy. He'll make a great friend, just let him in." She releases my arms as hers fall to her sides before heading to the bedroom. "Don't stay up too late."

Dissipating into the darkness she leaves me alone with only my ominous thoughts. The high of this evening wears off as I sit at the table and light a lamp. I grab a pencil and paper, jotting down my revenge for Roxy, and where I'd find Luke.

I was foolish to think I could be happy for a night. To sleep soundly and not relive Roxy's death over and over and over again. To not feel any heavy, lamentable weight on my chest while I enjoy myself. Any escape from pain or guilt is temporary.

Guilt doesn't leave its victims without scars.