After tucking her in, Emersyn quickly fell asleep. Norio sighed. "Yeesh, what a handful you are." He smiled.

As Norio stepped into the bar he took his coat off, and hung it on a coat rack. He plopped down at the bar counter. "What can I get for ya?" As Norio opened his mouth to reply, the girl next started mumbling. He quickly turned his attention back to the bartender. "I'll take an apple martini, please." The bartender nodded. "On the rocks?" Norio gave a firm nod. "Please." He replied. As he waited he noticed the girl next to him holding her head. "Oi." The girl didn't budge. "You look like you're in pain." He heard the girl sniffle. "Wow, nice observation, smarty pants." Norio huffed. "I sure as h.e.l.l am in pain!" She began tugging his sleeve. "If yer gonna b.u.t.t into a strangers business, don't suddenly go ignorin' 'em!" Norio turned around with a glare. "Don't tug my sleeve." The girl puffed her cheeks. "Don't be a dummy!" Norio turned away again and let out a long sigh. "I can't stand drunks." The girl crossed her arms. "The h.e.l.l are ya at a bar for then!?" She cried. "To de stress!" He got up. "Sorry, I've got a lot on my plate, hope whatever you're goin' through gets better for ya soon." He said, walking across the room to a different seat. The girl began laughing. As she was hysterical, her phone rang. She quickly froze. Suddenly the bar doors slammed open. "Found you d.a.m.nit, Keren!" A man cried out. The girl stumbled trying to get up. Norio, in the middle of a conversation with a bartender quickly turned his attention toward the sudden noise. "Ah c.r.a.p, now what is she doi-" His eyes widened as he watched the girl get pushed to the floor. Before he knew it, he was standing behind the man who had thrown her to the floor. Norio tapped his shoulder. "Huh!?" The man turned around, met with Norio's fist. The man quickly fell to the floor with a nosebleed. Norio stood over him, fist shaking. "Listen up ya sack'a s.h.i.+t," He began. "She seems like a real pain in the a.s.s, but touch her again and I'll-" The man threw a punch, hitting Norio in the stomach. "Stop it, both of you!" Keren cried out. "I'm not gonna fight!" Norio shouted, quickly dodging a punch. "Who even are you, and why the f.u.c.k are you defending that b.i.t.c.h!?" Keren began sobbing. "I came here tonight for a drink in peace." He began as he pinned down the mans arms. "Your friend, or whatever, began pesterin' me." The man growled. "I knew it! You cheating b.i.t.c.h!" He screamed. "Not like that," Norio grunted, struggling to keep him pinned down. "She was upset, I can see why, dating piece 'a s.h.i.+t like you would send me bawling too." The man tried reaching up at Norio's face, Norio quickly slammed his arm back down. "You b.a.s.t.a.r.d!" The man shrieked. Keren stepped over. "The cops are on their way." The mans eyes went wild. "You what!?" He screamed. Suddenly cops filled the bar, grabbing the man. "You'll pay for this, I'll find you!" The man cried out, as they walked him out in cuffs. Keren turned to Norio. "Mister-" Norio turned away. "You made a mess of my evening, is nothing easy?" He sighed leaning on the counter. Keren whimpered. "I'm s-" Norio glared. "Don't apologize." He huffed. "I don't know the whole deal, and you're probably too drunk off your a.s.s to give me the juicy details," He looked up. "Where do you live?" Keren looked down. "On the streets." Norio huffed. "Yeesh I know you're drunk, but which str-" Keren still steadily looking down frowned. "Ya didn't hear me, I really mean the streets, I'm f.u.c.ked." Norio looked at her in silence. He sighed, running his fingers through his hair. "Fine, tonight I'll let you in at my place." Keren quickly looked up. "I have a kid at home, so you better keep your mouth shut." Before Keren could answer, Norio held out his hand. "I won't let him, or anyone else hurt you." Keren stared down, teary eyed. "On one condition." He said. Keren quickly looked up. "To me alcohol is a treat, once in awhile," He began. "I don't know how you like to drink, but as I mentioned my kid, I got rid of all my alcohol." Keren nodded slowly. "All I ask is if you agree to all of this, don't bring alcohol into my house." He sighed. Keren looked up. "You're too nice, for your own good." Norio turned away. "Yeah, I guess I am." Keren laughed. "By the way, I'm Norio." He held out his hand. Keren momentarily studied his hand before grabbing it. "Keren." She smiled. "Are you sure about this, Norio?" Norio shrugged. "Got nothin' to lose." As they shook hands, Norio yawned. "Let's go, I'm freakin' exhausted." Keren stood up. "Me too." As they got into the car, Keren laid her head against the window of the car. Did I finally wake up from that nightmare...? She wondered as she drifted off into sleep.