She slid her arms around Rebound's chest, gently, but hugging him anyway.  Those tears still sliding down her cheeks as she closed her eyes and leaned into his warmth.  The memories made her shiver, feeling cold again.  So cold.

These two young people reminded Dragon Fist of the kids at the dojo where he taught. Someone had already tried to hassle them, a situation he dealt with himself. But now someone had done something FAR worse to them. Though he didn't know the deed...he knew enough to know that the scars were deep.

Dragon Fist clenched his fists for a moment.

"We will protect you....and we will avenge you.." he said, the determination very evident in his voice. Whoever was responsible was going to pay.

Dearly...

Mirage had names and faces, many faces.  She committed each one to memory, adding them to a mental list of people who deserved to be savaged.

She gave Seer a small hug, something that might be out of chracter for her but Seers tale had both touched and angered her.  "It will be okay, Sweetie.  You two are safe now.  Dragon Fist and I will look after you, and no one will do those things to you ever again."

"You stay here.  We'll be back in a little while.  Call us if you need anything."  Mirage turned and walked towards Dragon Fist.  "We have work to do.  I suggest giving some names of people that we should talk to to Jordans group to track down for us.  We should also check with the NPA and see if they've heard anything."

Dragon Fist nodded.

"We can start off with my brother. He can get the ball rolling very quickly, and he works inside the SCU."

Rebound held her tight both heroes would notice his hands avoided any position that could be considered sexual. "I'm here Penny I'm here for you." Looking over at Dragon Fist and Mirage while still holding Penny he said. "We'll stay here, as much as I'd like to lay the hurt on some of these bastards, protecting her comes before everything else."

"Good idea.  Let's go." Mirage looked back at Rebound and seer.  "Protect her.  Leave the hurt to us.  We're very good at it."

>>> To SCU?

"We'll get them....that I promise..."

Dragon Fist then exited the HQ with Mirage. Once outside, he extended his wings and then soared skyward.

>>>>>>>>>>To Weston Police Station>>>>>>>???

  She blushed, and hugged him a bit harder.  She said softly "Thank you."  She wished she could forget.  But some things never went away.  She just hugged Rebound all the closer, letting his warmth, his solid protectiveness soak into her like a soothing balm to her wounded heart.

Jack held her tight still keeping his hands in neutral positions he slowly strokes her back. "I made you a promise Penny, I promised to protect you till my dying breath, I have every intention of fulfilling that promise."

  She hugged him tighter, and said softly "I know you will, Jack.  I know you will keep me safe.  I know you'd never hurt me.  I feel safe in your arms."  She still had her head against his chest, clinging closely.

Jack held her tight for a long moment staying quiet before looking down at her. "I'm going to take a quick shower, Lord knows I need it, Will you be okay while I do that?"

  "I think.  Find me a spot to sit or curl up, though.  I don't know where all the furniture is yet."  She could easily run into walls or furniture if she tried to move around in here yet, so if he found her a spot to sit or curl up, she'd be okay until he got back.

"Of course' He takes her by the shoulders till he finds one of the bedrooms and sits her down on the bed. "Alright there's a bed here, you can lie down if you want or sit up and wait for me, I'll be quiet if your sleeping so I don't wake you. You still want me to cuddle up with?"

  She nodded, and said softly "You know I'll have nightmares if I'm by myself.  I'm okay if I can hear your heartbeat.  But I want a shower too.  I know I smell too."

"Alright, I'll help you in there until I'm done. I'll be back soon." He stroked her face gently. "I'll be right back." And with that he went into the Lockerroom and started the shower.

Fade to Black

Fade back in.

Having thoroughly cleaned and, handled himself, he dressed into one of the changes of clothes they got from the shelter quickly dressing he headed back to where he left Penny.

  She was waiting, her chin on her knees as she waited.  Those soft, dark eyes staring into an eternity of darkness.  She tilted her head when she heard his footsteps, and he felt her gentle mind-touch.  And saw her smile.

HE waited until he was sure she'd noticed him. He stepped forward taking a seat on the bed next to her. "You want to take a shower now?"

  She nodded, and said "I do.  I would really like to be clean again."  She put her hand on his shoulder, and then slid it slowly down to catch his hand in her own.

He smiled. "Allright come on" He  Led her to the locker room and showed her where everything was turning the water on for her. "All right so here's the shower theres a bench over here where I'm putting the bag with the clothes we got from the shelter."

  She patted his shoulder, and said "Borrow your eyes for a moment, please?  So I can get an idea of where it all is?"  She didn't like to ask, because she always felt like she was invading his privacy, but she didn't want to slip and trip and fall.  Her cheeks colored.

He smiled. "Of course." He took a look around the room once he was sure she was using his eyes.

  He could feel her very delicate mental touch, as she borrowed his eyes, and she smiled, and said softly "Thank you, Jack.  I'll be okay until it's time for clothes.  Then I'll need your help again."

Jack felt a slight shiver at the thought of her getting dressed but does his best to hide that in the inner recesses of his mind. "Sure I'll be out here holler if you need me."

  She slid out of her clothing, not thinking about it.  Then headed into the shower, washing herself and her hair thoroughly.  And when she was done, she patted around and found the towels, then wrapped them around herself as she called for Jack.  "Jack?  Can you help me make sure I don't look awful please??"

Jack had been in the center room just exploring the general area. When he heard Penny he came as quick as possible without seeming overeager. "Sure just let me check." He did his best to avoid looking at her in a towel but it was hard. He soon had an old faded pair of Jeans and a butterfly T-shirt he had gotten for her. He handed both to her before turning his back moving to leave the room so she could change.