I don't need your HELP

[Scarlett Anne Owens]

Scarlett had been doing a lot of walking lately. She wasn't supposed to be able to, but she had been steadily walking more and more every day. And it felt good. One foot in front of the other. It wasn't hard and Scarlett felt like she could walk for hours.

It was a good way to think. In the confines of her bedroom, between four walls and a ceiling, Scarlett couldn't manage the storm in her head. There were too many thoughts and too many emotions and her room alone couldn't contain them all - heck, her house couldn't.

She needed the open sky to receive her concerns one by one and set them free.

However, this was rule breaking. Not necessarily a rule that had ever been spoken, but Scarlett knew that if she were caught walking the streets at night, she would be in trouble. Physical exertion alone, with no one knowing where she was or what she was doing? What if she collapsed? But Scarlett walked to the beach, along the shore and then back home the other day at 4 am, so she wasn't too concerned.

Both her parents were out working, and assumed that she was already asleep. She was wearing dark jeans and a dark hoodie, hoping to look inconspicuous and unfamiliar to anyone she might know.

The alley was dark and Scarlett could hear the ruckus from the bar. The dark and loneliness and atmosphere was intimidating - maybe she shouldn't have come this way. As if to confirm her doubts, two men stumbled out of the bar, laughing. And even though Scarlett was inconspicuous, they noticed her. "Hey!" they called out to her, coming her way. Scarlett's heart pounded, she could hear it in her head, and amidst the fear, she managed one coherent thought: could I possibly outrun them?

[Nicole Marie Freeman]

Nicole wasn't one to do much hero work; now that she had met Todd, she could say that all that had gone to her brother. That is, if people knew they were related, and that was something Nicole was keeping under wraps. This was Todd's town, and she didn't come here to mess up his life. If he wanted people to know about her, he'd tell them himself.

Part of Nicole wondered if he would, or if he'd be ashamed of her. This was her cynical side speaking; the side that didn't have much faith in other people. Todd may seem like an ideal person, but Nicole didn't have much faith in him regarding herself. Maybe not in herself, per se, but in their relationship. Nicole never expected anything, but now that he insisted on keeping her around, Nicole couldn't quite figure out why that was since they weren't really getting any friendlier. She had a feeling he was just keeping her around until he decided what to do with her.

Nicole dispelled such thoughts most of the time and just enjoyed being the new kid on the block. Was it a small town thing? Everyone was so friendly to her and wanted to know all about her life. Nicole was thinking maybe it was the fact that she was meeting so many new people in the bar, and alcohol consumption probably counted towards most of the friendliness.

Now she was off work, and stepping out of the bar lighting up a cigarette for the walk home. Looking up with the cigarette in her mouth, she noticed two men cornering a girl.

Nicole wasn't one for hero work, but she had particular feelings about guys bullying girls. "Hey creeps!" She called, marching towards them. "We kicked you out of the bar cuz you were making trouble. Don't start trouble out here, alright?

"You came back for us!" one of the guys slurred, taking a step towards her, his arms wide open, ready for a hug. Nicole pushed him away.

"Woah, easy there tiger." he laughed stupidly. "You don't actually think you can take us, huh?" The guys laughed, almost falling over from their poor balance.

"C'mon. Here, I'ma throw a punch at you, ok? Givin ya fair warning." The first guy raised his arms, but before he could actually throw a punch, Nicole jabbed him in the face and kicked him in the balls. She elbowed the other guy in the face and kneed him in the stomach. Both guys fell, and Nicole straightened up, the light from the nearest lamp illuminating her hair.

[Todd Stephen Owens]

Todd didn't really like this shift. The night, take the car and patrol night. He didn't really enjoy busting drunk guys, burly and angry, nor the laughing college students who can't walk straight. But it was relatively quiet tonight, and Todd was glad for that, maybe they were finally having an influence on this town.

He decided to drive toward the bar, considering that was probably where the real problems would be, or at least, where they would start. Todd knew that drunk arguments got going fast and he'd better make sure no one was hurt there.

[Nicole Marie Freeman]

Nicole considered the small girl in front of her with concern, wondering how badly she was shaken up by the experience. She was shit at any small talk, and especially when trying to be symapthetic. "So ... you alright?" she asked awkwardly, feeling her back pocket for her pack. She'd tossed her her first cigarette when she started talking to the guys.

She kept her eyes on the girl as she lit up a new one. "Want one? They help if you're shaken up." she offered. How old was this girl anyway? She'd have to be relatively old if she was out this late, unless she was just another misguided youth. Either way, Nicole felt a connection to her, as though they had something in common.

[Scarlett Anne Owens]

Scarlett was considering the absurdity of the situation. She was pretty sure that the person in front of her was the person responsible for her terrible mood the past days. Ironically, this person had also just saved her from a potentially bad situation. "You ..." Scarlett started saying, staring at Nicole.

And it was also strange that they were just standing over two fallen bodies. One of the guys seemed to have passed out, and the other was just staring vacantly at the sky, blinking as though he was seeing floating lights.

Despite what had just happened, Scarlett felt anger towards this person. "You smoke, do you? Figures." Scarlett said with as much venom as she could manage, which wasn't much considering nerves. Nicole's brows furrowed, her expression defensive and confused. "I know who you are. Scarlett added, but Nicole didn't seem to be making the connection.

[Todd Stephen Owens]

Todd reached the bar and saw two feminine figures under a street light and two men on the ground. It took him all of 2 seconds to realize these girls were Scarlett and Nicole, neither of whom he'd want out late outside a bar. How did Scarlett even get here in the first place? He parked the car and hoped out, still in uniform.

"Scarlett?" He asked first, almost hoping he was wrong. This wasn't the time or the place for these girls to meet for the first time. Nicole was recognizable and he just nodded to her as he looked at his sister, not needing an answer.

"You both alright?" he said, not sure what to make of this situation.

"Right as rain officer," mumbled on of the guys on the sidewalk. Todd sighed and squatted, getting closer to the two men, both awake now, but out of it. "I'll take you guys to the drunk tank so you can sober up." He said, and with that, he hauled the big men off the ground and stuck them in the back of his squad car.

But he couldn't leave with them just yet, he needed to check in with his sisters... plural. Strange.

[Scarlett Anne Owens]

Todd was the last person Scarlett wanted to see. Of all the people to walk in on her breaking rules and acting unreasonably and insecurely. She opened her mouth to say something, but couldn't think of anything. She just raised her hand and tugged on her hood so that it was covering half her face, hiding in shame.

Nicole was having a moment of understanding but simultaneously disbelief. Her hand held her cigarette, as she looked from Todd to Scarlett. She had previously assumed that Todd's family was perfect like him - and wasn't his sister ... "Scarlett? But I thought ... you said she was sick?" Did sick people routinely walking about alleys in the dead of night? This made no sense. And wasn't she in high school or something?

"I'm standing right here." Scarlett said a little bit angrily. So they had talked about her did they? "And I am getting better, thank you very much."

Nicole was getting annoyed at the indignant remarks being thrown her way. "Hey, I just defended you, in case you forgot." She knew Scarlett had reason to dislike her, but Nicole had never expected an onslaught of spiteful remarks from someone she had only heard good about. It was like salt on a wound, reminding her on how much she was inconveniencing Todd by being here. It's not my fault we're related! she wanted to yell.

Scarlett kept glaring, even though she was feeling rotten, ashamed and ungrateful. She was realizing her worst fear - becoming a terrible person who didn't deserve an incredible brother. Scarlett was also having mixed feelings about actually looking at Nicole. It was difficult glaring at her when she kept noticing how similar she and Todd looked. Sometimes when she blinked she almost thought she was glaring at Todd.

In was a weird standoff, between two scrawny girls. Nicole was tall and wiry though, almost athletic looking if she put on more muscle. Scarlett was just petite, but slightly stronger looking since she started walking. Both of them seemed to have forgotten that Todd was still there, even though he commanded more presence by sheer volume than either of them.

[Todd Stephen Owens]

Todd sighed and looked at his feet a moment, before standing near the girls in such a way that he could put a hand on each of their shoulders. "Look, I'm sorry you had to meet this way." He started, not knowing why he didn't just leave and let them work it out. He knew why. Scarlett was sick, though improving, and sick or not, he didn't like here roaming around in the middle of the night. Nicole could handle that and even if not he felt less responsible for her.

"Scarlett, well or not, I really don't like you out here at night... and Nicole, did you really take on those two guys? that could have ended badly.... I'm glad you both are alright." God, he sounded like such a cop, like such a big brother. He shook his head and laughed a little.

"I sound insufferable don't I.. but I don't know what else to say."

[Scarlett Anne Owens]

Both girls stared at Todd, taking in his typical protective behavior. "You are so-" they both started, and then stopped and awkwardly looked at each other. In a brief moment, they both got the impression that they both knew what the other was feeling and thinking, which was something neither of them had felt before.

Nicole squared her jaw. Everything she wanted to say to Todd was on the tip of her tongue, she couldn't stop it, despite the awkward moment. "Stop apologizing, you don't have to be so involved! I wasn't sitting around waiting for you to introduce us, and yes, I can take on two guys at the same time. I've done it before and considering they were after her, I didn't have much of a choice. I'm sorry I don't always think my actions through, but I've gotten this far in life without you haven't I?

Nicole wasn't angry with him, just angry at life at the moment. She sighed, "But thanks for caring, have a nice night."

Scarlett watched her leave, her feelings mixed up inside her. It was so strange seeing Todd from Nicole's perspective. Scarlett had been used to Todd taking care of everything, so seeing him as someone overly 'involved' was an atypical view. Todd took care of things, it was what he did. And honestly, she thought the first time she'd meet Nicole, it would be something organized by Todd.

She felt a bit like a baby, realizing that she was used to being taken care of. Why couldn't she be badass and beat up men?

[Todd Stephen Owens]

Todd sighed. he did have a tendency to baby others, especially his sisters. Sure Nicole could do just fine on her own, but given her lack of family, she didn't realize people worry when they care. He cared enough about her that he didn't want her hurt. But she was marching away, and he let her.

Todd shook his head. "Sorry Scarlett." He said quietly. "I'm glad you're doing better, but I'd really rather you took your walks during the day... I don't want to lose you." He looked up at the streetlight, since a cop looking down was like a sign of weakness to the drunks.

"Can I give you a ride home?" he asked, hoping she'd agree if he didn't demand it.

[Scarlett Anne Owens]

Scarlett regretfully felt thankful towards Nicole. If it hadn't been for her display of rebellious emotion, Scarlett might have actually gotten into trouble. Now it seemed that Todd was too concerned with pissing her off. She might just actually get off easy tonight, how fortunate.

"Sure ..." Scarlett agreed slowly. It had been her intention to walk home, but even though Todd was acting considerate, she didn't think he would actually let her continue her walk. Especially giving the most recent outcome of her meanderings. "We're driving in the car with the drunk men that your biological sister beat up?" Scarlett really didn't need to ask that, since it was obvious, but she just wanted a handle on the situation.

[Todd Stephen Owens]

Todd laughed. "Well we are sitting up front." He said with a shake of his head. "I'll drop them off at the station and then we can go home." He'd rather just bring her home, but it was police rule number 1, well, maybe not one... but never bring suspects to your home. That way they were less likely to commit crimes against your property or family.

He gave her a little sideways squeeze with his arm wrapped around her shoulder. He was glad she was alright.

Todd hadn't realized just how different the girls were until tonight. Maybe he did baby Scarlett.... He just wanted to protect her when he could, so that she didn't have to see the bad things.