"You don't have to do this Lea," Dylan told her the next day. He watched as she slid her jacket over her shoulders and tried not to grimace at the thought of what she was off to do.
"Actually, I do have to do this," she responded and turned toward him. "I promised to help you guys out and it's a promise I intend to keep."
"But do you really think this is how you have to help us? It's not safe."
Lea smiled. "You're worried about me, Dylan?"
"Of course I am. I don't know what I'd do if something were to happen to you."
She tried in vain to hide the deep scarlet color that now flushed her cheeks. "I'll be fine. Don't worry about me."
Jade ran into the room just then and skipped over to Lea excitedly. She shoved something into the palm of Lea's hand and grinned over at her. "For protection."
Lea looked down at the object in her hands. A toothbrush at one end, the object curved into a jagged edge that looked like it could kill with one swift stab to the neck. Lea looked back up at Jade with a questioning smirk. "Is this a shank?"
Jade nodded proudly in confirmation. "I made it for you last night. I figured it could come in handy!"
"How do you know how to make shanks?" Lea asked wearily.
"You learn a lot in prison," she responded with a smile.
Lea's eyebrows turn down in concern. "Somehow, the thought of a woman who can craft a shank out of a toothbrush living under the same roof as me, doesn't make me feel warm and fuzzy inside."
Dylan chuckled slightly at this response and Jade rolled her eyes. "Oh Lea, you have nothing to worry about! I use my powers for good, not evil."
Lea nodded and raised her eyebrows. "Good to know J. You know, I appreciate the gesture, but I'm not taking this with me."
"Why not?"
"I'm not shanking anybody."
"Are you sure?"
"Pretty positive."
"Fine," Jade huffed. She took back her shank and slid it into her pocket. "But don't come crying to me when you reach for your shank in defense and realize you don't own one."
Lea shook her head and giggled. Then she took a deep breath and spoke again. "Well, I'd better get going. Wish me luck?"
"Good luck!" Jade exclaimed, then stepped forward to give her friend a hug.
Lea returned the hug, then directed her attention toward Dylan.
"Good luck," Dylan spoke softly as he took a step toward her. She reciprocated, closing the gap between them.
He threw his strong arms around her and held her in a warm embrace. Lea welcomed the feeling of safety that washed over her when she stood in Dylan's arms. She didn't want him to let go. He leaned in and whispered in her ear. "It's not too late to back out."
"What did I tell you about trying to change my mind?" Lea whispered back, a slight smile appearing on her face.
"Right," he responded. Lea could hear his slight smirk in the tone of his voice. "Okay, then be safe."
"I will."
She couldn't help but notice the way Dylan lingered in the embrace, before pulling away and giving her one of his infamous pecks on the cheek.
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