He came rushing back a moment later with a first aid kit and a bottle of alcohol.

"What's that for?"

"You're going to take out the bullet."

"I'm what?"

Please Ms. Carmichael, it's not a deep wound. He took off his suit coat and I saw the bullet hole through his shirt. He unbuttoned it and took off just that sleeve. He opened the first aid kit and took out the scissors that would cut Gauze

"How do I get it out?"

"You're going to put the end of these in the wound." He held up another pair of scissors that were bent at the end. "Then use these to pull on it.

"What if I can't?" I watched him open the bottle of alcohol.

"You'll be able to." He poured some over the scissors then handed them to me. He turned on his flashlight and shined it on the bullet wound. I could see the metal lodges into his arm, there was almost enough for me to grab.

"How do I do it?"

"You need to stick the scissors as close as you can to where it disappears then you're going to pull as slow and hard as you can." With sweat trickling down my brow I did as told and it was not easy but he never winced once. It took four times but I finally got it. He started off down the road as I put the bullet in the cup holder and cleaned up the wound with alcohol and put a gauze over it. We pulled into a church parking lot. He put his shirt and coat back on.

"Where are we?"

"Mr and Mrs Sinclair's wedding." I gave him a look as he pulled me inside.

"Why are we here?!" I asked as we snuck into the room here the music was coming from. Everyone was dancing like crazy.

"Our talk was ruined. I wanted to finish it."

"By attending a wedding?" I waved my hand at the people

"It's a perfect cover." He said as we sat at a table in the back. We were a little over dressed and some gave us weird looks but Mr Woods paid them no mind. There seemed like there was more of a reason we were here, but I didn't know what it could be.

"I wonder who the bride and groom are?"

"I don't know. So tell me more about this family." I searched his eyes before continuing

"Well as I was saying earlier I was put into a home with drug addicted parents. I ran several times but I was always brought back. I didn't understand why. But I soon found out that it was so that I could take care of their seven children. They would pretend that they wanted to adopt me but wanted to think about it, it so that I'd watch the kids

"That must have been hard."

"Yeah, it was."

"But I took care of them like they were my siblings. There were two three month olds, one three year old, two four year olds, one six years old and one seven year old. Some of them were adopted. I taught them all they knew, I aged out of the system and had to leave them. My heart breaks everytime think of them." I trailed off as I choked up.

"Because you don't know how they turned out." I nodded my head

"Yeah that's right."

"Just remember and know that you did all that you could for them before you had to leave."

"Yeah I suppose." A slow song began to play. I gulped nervously as Mr. Woods held out his hand. I took it to find it warm and rough against my soft and cool hands. He placed my hand on his shoulder and placed his own on my hip, he took my other hand in his as we swayed back and forth to the music. He twirled me every so often and pulled me closer against his body. I stared into his eyes and he into mine, a crooked smile on his lips. The song ended after a time and like a lighting bolt Mr Woods rushed me back to the wall as the lights turned on. He checked his watch

"We should go." I nodded my head and followed him back out to the stolen SUV.

"Are we going to return it?"

"No- our prints are on it, we'll just put our own plates on it. Now tell me more, after you aged out of the system what happened?"

"I went to college to get my diploma in early childhood, then I got my AA in elementary and secondary education. I met my ex husband Tony. Life was great for a while, but then he started abusing me both emotionally and physically. Then one night he came home drunk accusing me of cheating on him, that's when he shot me.

"Did you ever have kids?" I looked at him slowly

"Yes. But I had to give him away. Tony was going to harm him." A tear dropped from my eye. A hanky was thrusted into my hand which I took gratefully

"I'm sorry Jenny." My eyes snapped to his face. It was the first time he used my name.

"It's alright."

"What is his name?"

"Aaron. He'd be about eleven right now." I sniffled and blew my nose.

"I'm sorry I didn't know."

"It's alright, but speaking of children I'd be willing to help you get more intel if it will help keep the kids safe."

"Speaking of that, I've decided that I've got enough intel. But I could train you!"

"Train me?"

"Yes, in hand to hand combat and how to shoot a gun. Would you be up for it?

"I suppose." I nodded my head. The rest of the way home was silent. We entered inside, it was quit until

"Where you been?" The Russian guard asked as soon as we entered.

"Out Bjorn." Mr. Woods said in a matter of fact tone.

"Without assistant?"

"Yes." Mr Woods pushed past him. I followed him into the kitchen

"Everything go okay?"

"Yes. We are tired and going to bed."

"Yes sir." Mr. Woods took my arm and lead me up the stairs

"When and what time would we meet?" I asked as we stopped at my door.

"As much as we can. And how about we meet downstairs in the basement at 6:00 sharp." I opened the door and walked in. He stayed in the hallway. I turned towards him,

"Yes, that sounds good."

"Great, I will see you tomorrow." I just nodded my head as I closed the door and fell into bed. My mind rolling from the events of the night, our bodies close to one another as we danced, the way he protected me at the restaurant. Were things truly changing between us?