Late Night Action

[Cole Waters]

Midnight mildew covered the grassy lawn. Night had fallen on the McGrogan manor a while ago and only one flickering light came through a window on the first floor. Sitting alone in the light of a single candle was Cole Waters. In front of him was the one candle, wax overflowing onto the table, a half eaten plate of pasta, an empty drinking glass with melting ice cubes in it, and a small bottle of firewhiskey, almost finished. Sitting in the chair Cole shifted his weight back and forth for the thousandth time that night. Suddenly a gong rang through the entire house. Without having to look up Cole already knew it was the clock signaling that it was one in the morning. Sighing heavily, Cole picked up his wand and flicked it, filling the glass in front of him with ice and watching as the bottle of firewhiskey floated into the air and poured into the glass. Reaching in front of him he grabbed the glass and brought it to his lips taking a sip of the liquid inside of it.

Sitting the glass down on his leg, Cole starred out into the darkness of the dining room thinking about what had happened earlier that night. Dawn and him had agreed to meet at 8 o'clock for a late dinner at her place. Five hours later Cole was still sitting at the dinner table waiting for her to come home. This wasn't the first time that this had happened though. Lately Dawn had seemed distracted, always busy with something. Even their engagement seemed to take a back seat to all of the things going on in her life. While Cole was used to Dawn being the enterprising woman that she was, he was starting to become unhappy with the person that she was becoming. She was always late, always busy, and worst of all she had stopped opening up to him. He was used to being the one person in Dawn's life who knew everything and lately he seemed to be living in the dark.

Taking another sip of his glass Cole continued to sit in silence. Suddenly he heard a sound behind him, picking up his wand quickly he turned around. It was Quinn lurking in the shadows. "I thought that Quinn could clean up." the house elf said. Putting his wand down Cole said "No, I want her to see what she has done tonight." With that Quinn walked out of the room, worried about what might happen when Dawn finally did get home. Finishing his glass Cole sat for another 20 minutes before he finally heard the familiar sounds of the floo powder in the fireplace, he knew she had finally gotten home, and he sat in the same spot, waiting.

[dawn]

The tapping of finger nails drumming a table was the only sound heard in a dim room for several minutes. The eerie setting's silence was soon cut my a human reflex; a heavy inhale and exhale which caught the ear of a listener. Suddenly the drumming stopped abruptly as a sharp tone spat from the listener's lips, "Breath heavy again I swear on your life, that will be your last bloody breath." The voice held the last word as it was pronounced through clenched teeth, almost ending in a hiss. Those words seemed to echo the silent room. The vibrations of the tenacious tone were not softened by a near object, merely the voice hit the walls and bounced back into the ear drum of the listener. Each pair of eyes began to focus in and out to gradually get used to the lighting in the room. A single light appeared at the end of a wand held by a porcelain hand. Following the hand up the arm to a pair of shoulders that sat back in a chair. The face was blurred in the shadows, but recollection of the voice was unmistakable. It was Dawn McGrogan.

"Listen very carefully." Dawn paused as her tone changed from explosive to even and collected. "My statement before was not a pun." She paused as she held her words keeping her temper at bay. "If I find out that you say another ill thing again about me, my family, or my father- I'll be damned if I do not take your life by my hands personally. My father would be rolling in his grave if I let an opportunity such as your life slip through my fingers." The words she spoke were pronounced with such eloquence that if you did not listen to the actually message and were too caught up in her tone of voice, you would think Dawn was reciting Edgar Allan Po from memory. But the message was the most important, a message of life or death. A message of past pain and present vengeance.

The single light, that barely lit the room, was the center of all attention, the tip of Dawn's wand. It quickly flicked in the air, almost unnoticeable if you blinked. Suddenly, blood curdling screams erupted from the man at the other side of the table. His eyes clenched shut as a sweat and tears rolled down the sides of his glistening cheeks. His teeth clamped down on the rope that was wrapped as a gag to keep him from speaking. His arms were tied behind his back, connected to the chair, as brush burns became evident as he tried to free himself from the pain. The chair he sat in rocked back and forth as he twisted and turned his body trying to get away from the spell within himself. Standing up from her chair, Dawn turned her back to the man as she strode to the door with an emotionless look on her face. "Goodnight Mr. Lowsky." she spoke almost sincerely as she turned the doorknob in front of her. A light from the hall filled the room as Mr. Lowsky screamed louder, as if trying to contact someone to help him. Stepping out into the hall, she slowly closed the door behind her. The screams were soon muffled by the soundproof room Dawn just stepped out from. "Nox." She spoke as her wand's light turned off, as held it down at her side as she leaned up against the wall. "Zachary." Dawn spoke as she turned her head, and noticed a man standing at then end of the hall to her left. "Let Mr. Lowsky cool off in five minutes. I just set his conscience on fire. So, he will need time to cool down after he thinks about what he has done." Dawn locked eyes with her associate as a warm smirk crossed her red lips. With a nod of recognition Zachary walked down the hall Dawn was standing in, as she passed him on her walking way up.

Life was a gift and a curse for Dawn. She was very well at what she did, and what she did was manage a business as well as manage her love life. She was a passionate woman and that was evident in what she did and how she loved. But the curse was that she never mixed the two together. When she was with Cole, she rarely thought about work. The thought only was brought up was if Cole asked her about, but he knew better than to do that. And at work, Cole was rarely thought of. She couldn't let people know she had a soft spot and risk being seen as weak. Only her main associate partners, Zachary Gittz, Darcie Oliver, and Staal Korgy knew and understood both sides. Turning down the hall, she walked into a room where Darcie and Staal sat silently. "All handled. We just need to get more information." Dawn started conversation as she closed the door behind her. "And how will we do that", Darcie spoke as she leaned up from her chair. "I'm working on it." Dawn said exasperated as she walked to the wall and grabbed her black jacket and started putting it on. "You need to meet with Jacobson tomorrow. That is a must. But after then, we will know." Dawn spoke very vague as the two nodded with understanding. "I will see you all tomorrow evening. The Best." She said with a grin to both of her trusted allies and walked to the fireplace. "McGrogan Manor." she commanded as she threw the floo powder down and stepped in the fire.

Moments later, Dawn found herself at home. All the lights were off except for the dimming green fire behind her. Fryance stood in front of her with his hands out ready to grab her coat. "Thank you." she muttered as she slipped it off from her shoulders revealing a grey blazer jacket with a white turtle neck shell underneath. She wore an a-line black skirt with black tights and heels to match her blazer. Walking out of her fireplace room, she crossed into the hall which lead to the dinning room. All she was thinking of was a bottle of fire whiskey and a bath would do her in for the night. She began to unbutton her blazer to get her more comfortable. Running her hands through her hair as she pushed open the dining room door, a candle caught her eye at the far end of the table in front of her. A single body sat still in the light as she slowly took her hands from her hair and crossed them at her chest. Dawn's mind was swearing like a sailor, but her facade stood strong as she clenched her jaw, looking directly in the eyes of her waiting fiance.

[Cole Waters]

Cole watched Dawn turn the corner, her blond hair falling down to her shoulders. Instantly he could catch a whiff of her smell, and he felt himself starting to relax. She always looked her best after she got back from work, it is when she was at her most natural. With her hair in her face and her hands on her chest Cole almost forgot why he was mad at her. That is when it hit him, he was getting weak and they hadn't even started talking about this yet. Trying to get the cute images of Dawn out of his head Cole poured himself another drink. "How nice of you to join me," Cole said before taking a sip out of his glass. He could feel the fire whiskey warm his throat as it ran down into his stomach. It wasn't until that time that Cole had realized that he had already drank 8 glasses. Trying to stay poised and keep his anger in check Cole stood up and buttoned his black blazer. Walking around the table he walked up to Dawn until he was only a few feet away and wrapped his arms around his chest.

"So did I miss the memo? Were we meeting five and a half hours later or did you cancel and I just didn't know it?" Cole asked his questions with a tone that he did not use with Dawn very often. Cole and Dawn had fights just like everyone else, but Cole was never angry with Dawn, more frustrated than anything. But this time was different, Cole was fed up with being put behind work and forgotten. Cole had never felt like this towards Dawn and it scared him. It was no secret that he had an anger problem and his temper usually got the better of him. This usually led to the use of his wand which led to a lot of broken house wares. This was where Cole came to a crossroads. He needed to get his point across to Dawn, he couldn't let her off easy on this one. At the same time he didn't want to get as angry with her as he did with other people, he didn't want to end up doing something stupid that he might regret. After all this was the love of his life, and that didn't seem to be changing anytime soon.

Starring into the emerald green eyes of Dawn's Cole tried to read what was going on in her head. Her face was calm, but then again it was always calm, very rarely did she let it know if she was upset of angry. Her body language was the same, very easy going. That's why Cole read her eyes, no matter what she tried to do to hide her emotions, he eyes always gave her away to Cole. He could tell that she knew she was wrong, but something was different, she seemed rebellious about her mess up, like she didn't seem to care as much as usual. Cole thought for a second about what he was going to say. Their fights always turned into a battle of the wits and saying the wrong thing to early could spark a fire earlier than expected. "So are you going to answer me or do I have to wait another 5 hours for that too?"

[dawn]

Dawn stood solid, as if she was a statue that was casted by Michelangelo; tall, beautiful, and yet something more derived from her stance. She rarely wore emotion on her face, something she mastered ever since she was a kid. The only way Cole could read her was through her eyes. And she knew that was exactly what he was doing as she walked toward her. He has known her for over a decade and only he has learned her eyes so well. Agreed, she forgot about the dinner, but she was in no mood to deal with a temper from someone, anyone. She loved Cole but tonight wasn't the night she wanted to deal with him, she didn't know why she set up the dinner in the first place. Wait.... she wasn't the one who set up dinner- he was. Realizing this fact she narrowed her eyes at him as he walked toward her and crossed his arms a few feet away. His tone was harsh and full of emotion, Cole was always one to show more emotion than her. No matter how hard he tried, when Dawn was in the room Cole's heart, mind, and vocabulary became butter.

"Maybe you'll have to wait another five more hours to relax. Maybe then you'll get the response you want." Dawn answered with a growl, as she walked past him, down past the table, and into the kitchen walkway. She shook her head as she walked into the room and went straight for the cubbort. Grabbing a glass she slammed the door shut as she set the glass on the counter. Taking out her wand she Accio-ed the bottle of fire whiskey from the dinning room and brought it into the kitchen. She tapped her glass with her wand commanding the bottle to empty the last bit of it's continence into her cup. Setting the bottle down on the counter, she pocketed her wand and picked up the glass. Taking a sip of the liquor her lips, throat, and insides all became warm instantly. Closing her eyes, she relaxed for a moment. Turning around, she leaded up against the counter holding the glass in her right hand, with her left arm folded around her waist under her arm. She exhaled as her mind began to race.

Dawn was head of her family, the selling and trading for illegal dark items was the family business she inherited. Her uncles, and cousins and people she didn't even know were trying to contact her to be allowed into the connection. And on top of that she was fluttering with the idea of trying to figure out who killed her father. It had been two and a half years since his death, and Dawn was sick and tired of feeling the blame. She felt possibly he faltered with a transaction due to the thought of her teenage angst that seeped into his mind while he should have been thinking about work. She was a ball of fire when she was at Hogwarts, Gregory and Dawn did not get a long. Physical fights, brutal arguments with words that should not have been said. All of these things built up inside of Dawn as the years past, felt like she was to blame. Maybe he made a mistake because he was the single parent of the family and needed to raise Aden and Dawn alone. He made the McGrogan name what it was, and Dawn loathed the idea that he loved his business more than he loved his family.... but now, as she sipped on her fire whiskey, she felt as if she could be following in his footsteps. Closing her eyes, she stood along in the dark. Most likely, walking away from Cole stunned him and he knew she needed a moment. However, with all of this realization Dawn felt fire inside of her. How could Cole not understand what she has been going through since her father's death? First she needed to be granted custody of Aden since he was a minor when Gregory died. He never left a will on who he wanted the children to go to if he passed, so she that was one thing on her plate. Another was fighting for the house through the court systems. Of course, the Ministry adored the idea that Gregory passed and was reveling in the idea that the McGrogan Manor, filled with off of the secrets could now be revealed to them if Dawn didn't win the house; however, in the end she did. Taking the role of Head of Family, following in her father's footsteps was a trial too. She was trained since she was little to learn more spells that Hogwarts never fathomed to teach her. Back in the days when her and her father would get along he would tutor her. Now standing in his shoes, she knew far too much than anyone should. All of the bad deals, how to deal with them, how to do all of this through the black market, how to be seen as a socialite and not as a criminal... life was harder for Dawn than most would know. But, her life was a gift and a curse- a double-bladed sword.

"Above all other people, I thought you would understand that I cannot just leave my work...." Dawn spat into the other room as she took another sip of her drink. She was angry at Cole. How could he be upset with her. He knew what she did, he should understand that.

[Cole Waters]

Cole stood with his arms crossed alone in the dining room as Dawn walked away from him. He was stunned by her comments and had no clue what to do. This wasn't the way the usually fought, usually Dawn stayed and argued, it seemed like she was already giving up. This wasn't the way that Cole wanted it to be, this wasn't the way it was supposed to be. It was at this point Cole realized that since this argument was going to be different, he was going to have to fight differently. Walking into the kitchen he tried to keep a slow steady pace, one that didn't seem like he was following her. He go to the door jam and leaned against it slightly crossing his arms again. "Above all other people, I thought you would understand that I cannot just leave my work...." Those words echoed through Cole's head as he tried to process what Dawn was trying to get at. He took another minute to think of how he was going to approach this situation and then he spoke.

"You know I understand Dawn, of all people you should know how much I actually understand." Cole stood up straight putting his full weight back on his feet. "Now I don't know what makes you think that you have the right to be angry in this situation Dawn," using her name helped show Cole's tone, "If you didn't want to have dinner tonight you didn't have to. And if you thought you weren't going to make it you could have easily taken 2 minutes to send an owl or something." Cole paused for a second trying to let his message sink in. He was playing this argument exactly like a chess match, and he was going for the checkmate early. "I just wish that you would think of me when you're at work, I know it's hard, I know what you do, but if were going to get married I really feel like I should take more interest in your mind." After that line Cole looked right into Dawn's eyes and said "I'm not mad at you Dawn, I'm just disappointed." There goes her queen Cole thought to himself.

And this is where Cole was going for the win. Walking up to Dawn he gave her a slight kiss on the cheek. Leaning back he looked back into her emerald eyes and said "I'll just go home so that I don't bother you tonight you seem busy." Giving her another kiss he turned and walked away with a smirk on his face. Checkmate he thought as he reached and grabbed his wand off the dinning room table and walked towards the fireplace.

[dawn]

Dawn stood in place as Cole walked up to her into the kitchen. She didn't move as he leaned in to kiss her. As his lips touched her cheek, she smelt the strong smell of fire whiskey. He had to have downed several glasses before she arrived, and he was acting calm. This was different of Cole, and Dawn knew it. Something was different with this fight with him. He held his words. She knew that much. Closing her eyes with the kiss she clenched her jaw. All she wanted was for him to get away from her. It was a low blow from him to touch her this early on in an argument, however his next words were even more of a low blow than the kiss.

Throwing her glass down on the floor the glass shattered on the tile below her. The liquid bounced off of the floor and back up onto Dawn's tights. Her gaze didn't leave Cole's as she felt the liquor spill down her leg. "Think of you at work, Think of you at work?!" Dawn's voice grew louder as she repeated herself. "It is a pain in the ass just trying NOT to think of you, Cole." she used his name just as he has used hers, to make a point. Her eyes were narrow as she searched for recognition in his dark eyes. She needed to make his know what she was feeling, but it frustrated her that he didn't know already. "Keeping you out of my mind is the only way I have my life, Cole." her words are paced, thick, and wavering. "If I thought of you while I worked, then people would see me weak. Don't you understand that? Haven't you gotten the point that I am only me when I am with you? If I showed any flake of weakness of vulnerability, I might not come home each night...." Dawn's voice was finally emotional. "And don't you understand that once we get married, your life will be on the line too? Right now, I have no ties to my enemies. Aden is gone. I live in my house alone. You are my secret." The word 'secret' was the wrong word to use in Dawn's argument. She knew Cole would be upset at the use of him being a secret, but Dawn went on. "Once we are married, your life will be in my hands. Everything I do will then involve you and your life. If anyone would know that I care about you as much as I do.... I don't even what to think what would happen!" Dawn's voice changed from clenched teeth to almost a whisper.

Her eyes kept a hold on Cole's. As much as her eyes showed emotion, she knew she could produce the words she couldn't say through them to him. Pausing for a few seconds she closed her eyes, and spoke with them closed. "You do not understand how much blood is shed each day in my work. And with the faintest thought of you, it might be mine." She spoke slowly with an even tone as she inhaled at the end. Biting the inside of her lip, she opened her eyes. "I am sorry I forgot about the dinner, but you cannot blame me. "

[Cole Waters]

Cole stopped and turned back at Dawn as she began yelling at him. This was it, this was the fight that Cole was looking for, the fight that he was used to with Dawn. As Cole listened to her yell certain words stuck in his mind, secret, life. As he listened Cole began to get angrier. His temper started to get the best of him and he could feel the blood rushing to his face. As his face got redder he found it harder to keep his mouth shut and let Dawn finish what she was saying. Just as he was about to lose it and cut her off she finally finished yelling. The second her voice cut off Cole ripped into her with the fury that he had never wanted to. "I CANT BLAME YOU?! Who else is there to blame Dawn? You're the one who couldn't make it on time tonight, for the 3rd time in the past 10 days. But as always Dawn doesn't take the responsibility that she needs to. You always want to take responsibility for things that you don't need to like MY LIFE! You think that I'm scared of the thugs that you work with? If they want a piece of me there know where I am. They can come see me whenever they want." On this note Cole grabbed a ceramic vase and threw it against the wall behind Dawn.

"The only reason I get worried about your job is because of what you said, I never know when, or if you are going to come home. When you stay out till 1 in the morning when we had plans at 8 what do you think that does to me? I become a wreck wondering if you are still alive, if I need to somehow track you down and save your life. If I'll be widowed before I am even married. You don't need to be in this stupid business, your smarter than this you can find a better job, a safer job. A job where you don't have to keep your fiance a secret! For hells sake I feel like the husband that your ashamed of. Only a few people know about us and we can hardly go out anymore. I'm sick and tired of being put behind the curtain for my own damn safety. Something has to give Dawn, and it sure as hell isn't going to be me. I will not get married just to be hidden all of the time."

The last line slipped out of Cole's mouth before he could think about what he was saying. This is exactly why Cole didn't want to lose his temper. Starring back into Dawn's eyes he waited to see how she might react.

[dawn]

A vase cracked behind Dawn on the wall. It was an old vase, of course it was expensive. Her blood pressure rose as she was eying up how this argument was going to end. Every word of Cole's poked at a nerve. He doesn't understand, he isn't trying to understand. How is this going to work. He doesn't get it. He can't save me. He hasn't seen what has happened with his own eyes. Not many people can say they have seen death, I can. I know. I see it. He doesn't know. Dawn's mind lectured herself as Cole's words went on. She shook her head as she finally answered. "Me, not taking the blame? You must be kidding me. I admit when I am wrong, I will apologize, but you do not know what I was doing tonight. Of course, That is what KILLS you inside but you do not get the point of this, Cole Waters! This life is my life, I was born into it and It is something I will not leave. I will not leave my family, my name, my life behind." Dawn's words were strong and emotional. How could he think she could 'find another job' she was born for this. She was a talented witch that has made a name for herself, as a daughter, as a woman, as a Hogwarts alumni.

"Cole, you just don't get it." Dawn said as she lifted her hand and punched the counter top next to her. She turned her body to face away from Cole as she shook her head looking down at her fist on the marble. "You don't get it. I love you so much that I can not let anyone get to you." She spoke through clenched teeth, trying not to lash out again. "I am doing what needs to be done." Her voice rose. "I can't leave this family without a reason..." the last sentence slipped as she closed her eyes and choked on her words. Shaking her head she changed the subject quickly to get away from her slip, the only thing she hasn't let Cole in on. The reason why she has been late, the reason why her mind has been off topic. It isn't work- that is her excuse. It is to find who murdered her father, and this whole week payed off tonight. And with so much emotion invested, the thought of Cole slipped her mind. She couldn't let anything block her mind when she was 'Dawn McGrogan'. It was as if she was two different people. Dawn McGrogan, was when she was working; Dawn, was when she was with Cole. The two never could meet.

Stepping away from the counter top, Dawn turned toward Cole, she grabbed his hand as she pulled him in through the dinning room, and back through the doors and into the main hallway. "Lets go out then, lets go do something. If that's what will make you happy, then fine. I'm all yours, dear." Dawn threw his hand down as she spoke the last word and crossed to the hall closet. She pulled out her coat Fryance just took from her and took out Cole's. She threw it at his feet as she put her arms through the sleeves.

[Cole Waters]

Cole continued to get angrier as Dawn continued to go on and on about how he didn't understand what was going on. She made him feel like a child, like he was clueless about everything. This only added to his rage. "Why do you always treat me like I have no clue what you're doing. I can put these things together Dawn and I'm not stupid. And you weren't born into this, you always have a choice Dawn. You can drop out of whatever it is your doing, no one will be able to hurt us, we can take care of ourselves. Just please let's try and make this better. I want to spend time with you, I want to have you fully not just when your not at work doing your sketchy things. I don't care if it's your family, it's not safe and you shouldn't be doing it. Of all the things you could do you actually stick with this." Cole stopped for a second and took a deep breath. He had strained his voice from all the yelling and he needed to take a break.

Suddenly Dawn went to the closet and grabbed their jackets. Throwing his at his feet she slung hers on. As much as he just wanted to drop this fight and go out with his fiance he knew that neither of them had cooled off yet. "We can't go out like this Dawn and you know this." Cole said picking up his jacket and setting it on the back of a chair. Thinking of what he should say it finally struck him as to what might finally get a full answer out of her. "Dawn you don't have to do this, you don't have to stay in the family business. You and I both know that if you stay in this, you are going to die and I can't live without you. If you continue down this path you will die just like your father did Dawn, Just like your father." Cole braced himself for the reaction that was most likely going to come. It was necessary though, to finally get to the bottom of this.

[dawn]

Dawn crossed her arms as she stood watching Cole walk to the wall and place his jacket down. She was hot under her jacket, but she was wearing it to prove a point. He wanted to go out, and she was ready, what was holding him back now.. Her eyes were narrow, emotion left her. She listened as if she was a wall in front of Cole. She didn't sway, didn't move didn't react as he yelled across the entrance hall at her. Her heart sank and he said she didn't have to follow through with the business; But yes, she had to. She wanted to. As much as she hated it, she was used to it. She couldn't do anything less. She needed it, like it was a drug.

Cole took a breath from his yelling as she stood looking at her. His voice started to become more caring and worriesome than any other tone tonight. She listened to these words, but she rather wished she didn't. As he spoke how she was going to end up like her father, her eyes shot right into his. She couldn't speak, she couldn't react. She swallowed as she took a breath in. All she could do was shake her head. Her insides ached as he spoke of her father. How could you... her conscience cried inside her, but her demenor stood emotionless. Was that what he wanted, to shut her up? To pull on her hearstrings and break her down. Cole and Dawn never spoke about her father. After the death, she didn't cry at his funeral, she was still bitter. But as the years passed Dawn's mind couldn't sweat the fact she could have been the reason.

Standing across from Cole, a few moments of silence grew thick between them. Dawn was looking at Cole, but yet still not looking at him, it was almost like she was in a daze, but still holding his eyes into hers. Her mind was flooded by images of the man she was with tonight, her father's old partner. He knew more than he let up, and just burning his conscience would make him bleed with more information tomorrow. But, Dawn did have guilt. She didn't like hurting people, but for the fact she was hurt. For the fact her father was murdered, she was hurt. And they say revenge is sweet- and Dawn was hoping that was true.

Focusing her eyes back on Cole, and out of her daydream, a single tear fell from her cheek. Dawn realized it before it was too late. Emotion, was Dawn's inner demon. She had more emotion than her father did, that is what made the juggle of life and work so difficult. Deep down, she cared. Barely auditable, she spoke, "... how dare you."

[Cole Waters]

Cole stood in the silence that engulfed the house. The words ran through his mind "How dare you..." This was exactly what Cole had been waiting on, she finally had the emotion that he knew was brewing underneath her facade. Slowly walking up to her Cole put his hands on the sleeves of her jacket. He slowly ran his right hand up one sleeve and touched the soft skin that covered her face. He rubbed her cheek and could feel her pull away from him. He wasn't expecting her to be happy about what had just happened, but he knew that they would finally be able to open up now. "I'm sorry Dawn, I'm sorry that I brought up your father, but I need to see the emotion. I need to see that you care. The only reason I get upset over you being late like this is because I care. Like I said earlier, I get scared with the kind of things that you do, I can't lose you Dawn."

Leaning in Cole kissed Dawn on the lips trying to put everything he was saying into that one kiss. Pulling away afterward he looked straight into her eyes. "You're right Dawn, I don't know everything that is going on with your life, but if you would let me know I would be happy to help you carry the burden." Cole sat in silence for a second. He was trying to understand what she was thinking. "I love you Dawn, more than anything in the world. I'm sorry that tonight ended up this way, and if you want to be mad that's fine, I understand you and I understand why you would be."

Cole finished what he had to say and stood there with one hand on Dawn's face and the other on her jacket sleeve. He wasn't sure what to do at that moment. Should he put on his jacket and go out, or wait to see what she says. Just because he was trying to drop it doesn't mean that she would do the same.

[dawn]

Cole stood inches away from Dawn, with his hand on her arm, as well as her face. Her eyes never left Cole's as he spoke to her. Dawn was rarely ever speechless; she always had something to say. But when it came to Cole- at the end of the day, she didn't want to hurt him. He was the only one that mattered in her life. If it was that easy, just to leave her business for Cole, maybe she would. But she has grown up believing, knowing, and doing all she could to get into the place she was now. Once they were married, once she was used to the business for five years or so, maybe then it would become easier. But one thing Dawn knew she certain was that she wasn't going to allow Cole to help the business in anyway. He has an inferiority complex, which was evident, this entire conversation. She knew he wanted to 'wear the pants' but as many years as the two has been together, he has learned that they both share a pant leg. Dawn would never back down from head, nor would he. But when it came to her business she had to keep Cole away from it.

The two never talked about what actually happened when Dawn left the house. Cole knew the jest of the business, buying, selling, and trading. Also, he was aware that most of the people Dawn dealt with we not the nicest of people. Cole had an itch for power himself and his family, especially his uncle, traded with the McGrogan's often. But in the same respect, Dawn had to keep Cole out of it. The only way he would ever be allowed to know every little detail was if he joined her, and Dawn would never wish that on him.

Looking into Cole's eyes she paused for a moment after his words. "Today was really hard." She began slowly. She wanted to keep him up to date with her as much as she could, starting today. "I've been tracking down who murdered my father." she spoke slowly again as her eyes didn't waver from Cole's. Her arms let go from being crossed. Her hand crossed her body to her right arm to grab Cole's hand like before, but more affectionately this time. Intertwining their fingers she looked down at their hands together, and went on. "That is what has been taking up my time, Cole." she looked up at him. "I'm sorry if I have seemed out of it, but..." she looked at him searching for the next words.”I feel like his death could have been my fault. Now, since I know how this is all run. I feel as if I could have been the itching thought in his mind at that moment. He could have strayed away his thoughts into thinking if I was sneaking out again, or if I was going to break into his den." She shrugged as her eyes went to her front door that was a few feet away from her. She looked out of the side window and the night sky was pitch black. The reflection of Cole and Dawn stood together as she eyed them up. "I was such a problem to him." She commented still looking at their reflections. "And for that reason..." she looked back at Cole, locking his eyes.”... For that reason, I am afraid to think of you at work. I don't want to end up making a wrong move. I love you, I can't let that happen. I want to keep you updated on what is happening, on what has happened. But there is so much you do not know." her argument changed from before, from the 'do not understand' to 'do not know'. She was more calm, and rational than she was before. Dawn's anger has subsided as she was now admitting she was wrong.

"I don't want you make you worry even more than you already do. It kills me to know I keep you up at night worrying about my life." her hand tightened the grasp on his, as she rubbed her thumb on his skin. "But, this is my life. And as bad as it seems, as much as I complain- I wouldn't want it any other way. I was born for this." she paused as she looked sympathetically at her fiancé. Her other hand moved up to the side of her face to grab Cole's other hand. His finger tips were cold, compared to her warm palm that connected to his. "I am new at this Cole. I don't know how to handle it all yet. But I'm trying. It's just this past week has been rough because I found someone linked to him." She felt something inside her blow up in flames. Thinking about getting closer to her father's killer made something inside her twinge. To think of thing things I would do to them to get revenge. To make them pay. she thought. But, Cole has never seen that side of her- the actual girl who is has a vendetta. The girl who will have no guilt when the time comes. The girl who has spilt blood and will do it again with no second thought. That was the side of Dawn she was afraid to let Cole know. Not because she felt like he would leave her, but because that side of her was an untamed dog, that might snap at anything. She wouldn’t want him to be in the line of fire.

[Cole Waters]

Cole stood looking into Dawn's eyes and listening to every word she had to say. Cole could hear a change in the tone of her voice which showed him that the fight was finally ending. He could care that Dawn had switched to her caring mode and this was what he had been looking for all night. As he listened to what she was saying, it started to hit him that tonight wasn't about business, it was about family. This small change in detail completely changed Cole's perspective on what had happened. Instead of being mad that she was late, Cole felt bad that he had not been more understanding with her. When she apologized for seeming out of it Cole just shook his head, "It's ok, I didn't realize what exactly you were doing, if I had known I would have been more understanding, I'm the one who should be sorry." Then Dawn started talking about worrying about being afraid that she would lead to Cole's death. This was something that Cole and Dawn would never agree on since he felt like he could take care of himself, but he decided to humor Dawn. "I understand sweetheart, If I was in your situation I would be scared of the same things."

Coming in closer to Dawn, Cole wrapped his arms around her body and laid her head on his shoulder. Kissing her head he said "I love you Dawn." Closing his eyes Cole let his senses take over. His nose was buried in Dawns hair and the scent of her shampoo filled his lungs. He could feel her warm breath on his neck every time she exhaled. The silence allowed Cole to hear every breath, and muffled thump rang through his ears every time her heart beat. Kissing her head one more time he squeezed her in his arms one more time before he let her go. Looking into her eyes he kissed her once on the lips and everything that hadn't been said earlier was said in that one kiss. Feeling a smile creep onto his face Cole turned to the table behind him.

"Ok so now that we have that settled, what do you say we take our date somewhere else tonight?" Cole grabbed his black coat off the chair before he gave her a chance to answer. He himself was trying to think of places that they could go that were open this hour. Most of the pubs were usually open this late but he couldn't think of any restaurants that would still be. He was glad that the fight was finally over and they would be able to have their night together. Checking his pockets he made sure he had some money and his wand. Turning back to dawn with a big smile on his face he asked "So where would you like to go ma' lady?"