Hardin and I finish breakfast and then make plans for the day.

"Hardin, what do you think about having a picnic today?"

"Well, it sounds better than your hiking idea."

"So, we can?"

"Sure, Tess. Last time turned out pretty well." He smirks at me.

"Yeah, it did..." I'm flooded with memories of our first official date.

"Okay, you pack us some food, and I'll grab a blanket to sit on and then put everything in the car."

"Okay!" I chirp.

Minutes later we're on our way to a park we passed when we were driving to the hiking trail we went to. Hardin has to park a few blocks back from the park. He grabs the picnic basket out of the trunk and we start walking down the trail to the park.

"It's such a beautiful day," I say to Hardin as we walk down the empty trail.

"It is," he agrees before he takes my hand in his.

I look up at him and smile. "Feeling romantic today?"

"Not that again," he chuckles. "Shit!" he curses.

"What is it?"

"I forgot the blanket in the car."

"Oh, that's okay."

"No, it's not. I'll go get it. Do you think you'll be okay to walk the rest of the way?"

"Yes. My ankle is feeling better today."

"Okay, Tess, I'll meet you there. Get us a good spot." He kisses me and turns to go back to the car.

As I'm walking, I'm enjoying the birds singing and the warm breeze when I accidentally drop my sunglasses. I bend down to retrieve them and I'm startled by someone pinching my butt. "Hardin! That was quick!" I say as I stand up and turn around.

"Who's Hardin?" a guy covered with tattoos and piercings asks.

"My-my boyfriend!" I say, trying to sound intimidating, but failing.

"Aw, she has a boyfriend. That's too bad," another guy smoking a cigarette says as he nudges his creepy friend.

"Well, that's never stopped me before," he laughs.

"You should leave before my boyfriend comes back and sees you!" I warn.

"I don't think you even have a boyfriend. Why would he leave such a hot piece of ass all alone on this trail?" the tattooed guy asks.

"Yeah, I think she's free to leave with us. I bet we could show you a good time, baby," the cigarette smoking creep boasts.

"Only I can call her that," Hardin booms from behind the guys.

They both whip around to see an angry Hardin glaring at them. "And who the fuck are you?" the cigarette smoker sneers.

"If you don't get the fuck away from her, your worst nightmare."

"Does it look like we're scared? I think we could take you," the tattooed guy says.

"I guess we're about to find out." Hardin drops the picnic basket and blanket to the ground.

"No!" I shout. Not this again.

I watch as Hardin punches the tattooed guy in the face.

"You really shouldn't have done that!" his friend warns before tossing his cigarette and punching Hardin in retaliation.

"Hey! Please, call the police!" I beg a couple I see walking their dog.

Hardin is getting ready to punch the guys again when they realize what I just said. "Hey, this bitch isn't worth it. Let's go," the smoker says as they turn and run off down the trail.

"Do you still want us to call the police?" the woman with the dog asks.

"Um, no, thank you for your help."

"Fuck," Hardin says, wiping at the blood on his face.

"Hardin? Are you okay?"

"Don't worry about me. Are you okay, Tess?"

"Um, I think so."

"You think so? What does that mean? What happened while I was gone?"

"I was bending over to pick up my sunglasses I dropped and one of them groped me. I thought it was you, but when I turned around I saw it was those two creeps."

"They touched you?!" he growls and turns to walk down the trail.

I reach out to grab his arm. "Hardin! Where are you going?"

"To find those fuckers and teach them a lesson."

"No! Please, stay with me. Don't leave me again!"

"Tess! You're right. This is my fault... again. I should never have left you."

"I didn't mean... Oh, Hardin!" I cry and leap into his arms.

He wraps his loving arms around me and nuzzles into my neck. "I'm so sorry, baby. I'm so sorry," he repeats over and over.

"Hardin, it brought it all back... everything that happened with Neil," I cry into his shoulder.

"Tess..." he whispers as he rubs the back of my head to calm me. "You're safe with me."

"I was so scared it was going to happen again!" I continue to cry into his shoulder.

"Shhh... I'm here now. You're safe with me, I promise," he repeats.

I start to calm myself and try to pull out of our hug, but Hardin just tightens his arms around me.

After a few minutes, Hardin finally releases me from our embrace. When he pulls away, I see his eyes are glossy and his cheeks are wet. "Hardin?"

"Tess, I can't lose you again. I can't watch you go through the same torture that fucking Neil put you through. Not again. It nearly broke me."

I hug Hardin again.

After another few minutes, I pull out of our hug. "Hardin, I just want to go back to the cabin now."

"Okay, Tess." He picks the picnic basket and blanket up off the ground, then grabs my hand as we walk back to the car.

It's a silent walk back to the car, but there's no need for talking. I know this is killing Hardin as much as it is me. But I also know he will always protect me. Somehow he has always been able to come into my life at exactly the right moment.

"I love you baby." Hardin kisses the top of my hand and we both get into the car.

The whole ride back to the cabin he holds my hand in his, while keeping the other on the steering wheel.

I know my reaction brought it all back for him, too. I just hope his nightmares don't start up again.

"I never thanked you for saving me," I break the silence.

"You never have to thank me for that."

"I'm going to have to take care of your face when we get back to the cabin."

"Just like old times," he sighs and memories flash through my mind of cleaning his bloody knuckles after his fight with Zed.

We finally arrive back at the cabin. Hardin gets out of the car and grabs my hand in his again. I know he's being over protective now because of what just happened, but I don't say anything because I know it makes him feel better.