Thankfully Chuck had dished us up before Jenny had called everyone else to eat because after the people dished up there wasn't much left. Chuck and I sat at our own table but were joined shortly after by Jenny, Chet and Marshal.

"Food smells awesome girly. Ya did good." Marshal compliments as he's eating. Everyone murmured their agreement. I just smiled at the compliment.

"Yeah when I heard how she came to be with us I kinda expected her to be freaking out or something. But she seems like she's been here all along." Chet chuckled as he took a large bite out of a biscuit and moaned as it melted on his tongue.

"Give me some time, I really don't know much of anything and my hunger was kinda overpowering any rational thought." I joked halfheartedly, when in reality my mind was still kind of reeling from what happened and my chance meeting with Charlie. The rest of the meal was small talk about random things going on in society to politely pass the time.

Once the meal was over Jenny said she would do our dishes since I did the majority of the cooking, plus she didn't want my band-aid getting wet or risk my cut opening again. So Charlie took my hand and led me back to the elevator and down to the main floor.

Stepping off the elevator it was like a lobby area with multiple doors leading to all different areas. I couldn't tell where they all lead to but I counted at least six different areas. We walked out a veranda door and onto a deck that looked like it wrapped around the house. Part of it was even covered with a roof and netting to keep the bugs out.

We didn't stay on the deck as Charlie lead me to the steps and down a paved path. On both sides of the path there were different types of flowers and small shrubs as well as small lanterns to light up the area. The smell of the flowers was so fresh and amazing I felt like I was in heaven.

As we walked I took this chance to really study my Chuck, the beautiful and striking green of his eyes sparkled the same way it did back so many years ago. That light blonde hair was now dyed black with the roots a muddy brown, it was a lot longer laying at the bottom of his ears as opposed to his previous style that was close to his head. His face had filled out to a strong angled jaw line with a full beard covering his bum chin, but it wasn't an untamed messy beard. He kept it trimmed and neat even though it hangs just over three inches down his chest. His lips hadn't changed, they were still that cute pale pink and if his kisses are any indication they are still as warm and delicious as they were back then.

His body had filled out, he was a wall of solid muscle but not extremely large. His arms were very large and his shirt strained against the muscles, his waist was narrow and tight and oh wow did he ever have a yummy ass. His jeans hung low on his hips but were snug over the ass and his leg muscles. His large hands were calloused yet he handles me gently, then again he always has handled me more careful than anyone else.

I remember the one time in the orphanage one of the tough boys called me ugly, once Chuck found out he immediately attacked that boy. He got in so much trouble and when asked why he did it, his response was simply no one talks bad about his family. But eventually I became more than his family, we fell in love.

We stopped at an open area with a playground and a few benches, there were street lights all around the area. The sun was starting to set and the sky was lit up with all kinds of beautiful orange and red colors. He lead us to  a bench and we sat down, he let go of my hand finally and rubbed his down his jeans. He looked scared and nervous, a complete 360 from the confident calm man he was just a few minutes ago.

"Well I guess now is as good of a time as any. What do you want to know first?" he asked, running his hand through his hair.

That was a good question, where did I start? I understood I was kidnapped by human traffickers. Meaning his boss and everyone that worked for him, including Chuck. But because of him I don't suffer the same fate the other girls did. My stomach rolled at the thought, especially since if I didn't agree to something crazy I would end up sold to the highest bidder like cattle.

Shaking my head at that thought my heart rate picked up and I could feel myself get scared. Pulling my legs up onto the bench and wrapping my arms around them like I used to in the orphanage I decide my first question.

"How did you come to work for human traffickers?" I keep my head buried in my knees, knowing I can't look at the person I used to love unconditionally while he told his story.

"That's a really long story, but I will shorten it somewhat for you. Well you know I have always lived a life on the streets, even at the orphanage I was still what they called a street rat. After we parted ways that day I did as promised and disappeared. I traveled for a while just seeing the sights and learning how to survive. I ended up here about two years after we separated, the first person I met was Marshal. That's why he is one of my best friends." he paused a moment making me turn to him, eyeing him through my lashes.

He had a very far away look in his eye as if he was experiencing everything all over again, he continued his story. "Marshal is related to the boss, so he's only ever known that life. At first I was reluctant to become someone in the Mafia. Yes that's what the boss does, his name is Arthur Catelli, he is THE head mob boss for the Mafia for this area. One night I got in trouble at one of the night clubs, in order to make money I started hustling pool. Marshal helped me out and got me a favor with Arthur. In return for his help I signed a five year agreement to be in his employment, being a hired thug. I have six months left of that agreement then I am supposed to be able to go my own way if I choose, or I can stay and keep working for him." his eyes are now cast down at the ground, I can tell he is disgusted and ashamed at what he did.

"Is it only human trafficking that you handle?" I am scared to know the answer but at the same time I need to know. He turns and looks at me with a sad look on his face as he just shakes his head no. He doesn't offer up any more than that and I am glad, I don't want to know specifics I just need to know he isn't only kidnapping innocent girls.

We sat in silence as I took it all in, I can't imagine the things he has done to survive and I don't know if I could look at him the same if I did find out. My mind raced with all the thoughts of the gang movies I have watched and all the bad things those people did. Was life in the mob the same as depicted on movies and tv shows? Does this mean my Chuck has killed people, shot people and been a thug for money? Or did he sell drugs to children and guns to people who rape women? 

My breathing started to come in short, hard breaths. My heart was pounding so loud that was all I could hear. I was starting to have a panic attack and it was getting worse fast, my thoughts kept getting crazier and wilder as my breathing became larboard. My vision started to grow blurry and the ground underneath me began to spin.

A pair of large, cool hands grabbed my face and pushed my legs down so they rested on the ground and my head was shoved between my legs. I could vaguely hear his voice telling me to breathe. The pounding of my blood rushing through my head made it sound like I was under water making me panic even more.

"Breath god dammit Gnome! Deep breath in, deep breath out." he started breathing deeply trying to get me to copy him. Eventually the worry in his voice broke through the haze I was feeling and I started copying him. Slowly my panic attack faded and I started to breath normal.

"Thank you." I whispered as my breathing evened out, my heart rate was still higher then normal but I was feeling better. His strong arms enveloped me and held me tight against his chest, just like he used to when my anxiety got super bad back in the day. The only thing that fully calmed me down was being in his arms. But this time it was different, he was different and I don't know if I could accept him anymore.

I pulled away out of his arms, the look of hurt on his face almost broke my heart, but things have changed and we both needed to accept that.

"I just, i just can't Charlie. So much has changed." I whispered, feeling as broken as he looked. I was confused. I wanted things to go back to the way they were, but so much time has passed I am not the same person any more, and obviously neither is he.

"Are you okay now?" his tone hardened and he went emotionless. Something he must have learned living the hard life he has, this broke my heart even more because I know the way he grew up wasn't easy. He was always such a kind and protective person as we were growing up, I'm not saying I don't care for him but we need to get to know each other again, we are practically strangers. But I didn't know how to tell him that, I didn't know how to convey my feelings so I did the only thing I have known to do since being in the witness protection program, I closed myself off.

"I'm tired can we go back now?" I asked as I wrapped my arms around my stomach. He twitched like he wanted to hold me again then flinched, I saw the briefest emotion cross his eyes before he became a blank canvas.

Without a word he got up and started walking back the way we came, his silence hurt but I knew I had hurt him just as bad. Maybe even more, so I silently followed behind as we made our way back inside.

He didn't acknowledge anyone that spoke to him as we entered through the veranda doors, he just grumpily stalked to the elevators. He did hold them open so I could catch up but he refused to look at me. I kept my head down and my arms wrapped around my waist the whole time, he stayed silent and didn't look my way either.

Once we reached his room he opened the door for me, said I could sleep and that he would be back later and he left again. I hadn't cried since I was 16 and in the cop shop telling them about the fire and what happened and how I had escaped. But now, I laid curled up in a ball on the middle of the bed, on top of the blankets and cried myself to sleep.