Witness Protection

Antonio gave the man a hearty punch which caused him to fly off. He then lifted the small female up and started to run off, giving her a smile. "Don't worry, you're safe now."

Maria stared up at him, blinking. "I knew I was under protection but… you?"

The male gave her a smile, showing his teeth. "Of course I'm the one protecting you. Why wouldn't it be me?"

She gave a giggle. "Of course, though I assume they never told you why I was put under this… right?"

The male hummed and gently set her down. "How about we talk about this in a café or something. That way we are somewhere peaceful and not too many people will bother us."

Maria nodded and smiled gently. "Okay then. I accept this offer."

The two walked inside a café that had little to no people in it. The two found a table to sit at and ordered tea and coffee respectably. "So explain to me, the whole story, okay?"

Maria nodded and hummed to think for a moment. "Well, I was born in London… I was raised there until my parents were killed by the man who apparently found me again. I was forced to change my name since I was witness to the killing, though the officers never connected the evidence of the scene at first to the man, they did after a month or two. They sent me to another city where someone watched me, but they were too busy for me and I was sent here."

"That's how you met Nathan, right?"

She gave a nod. "He was the only one they could find at the time being who would be able to take care of me and not have much to conflict with life other than a few disappearances here and there."

Antonio nodded. "I know I talked to him a few years back when you came here to this city. He always said how sweet you were, but he seemed worried about you… though he still is isn't he?"

Maria looked off to the side, almost embarrassed. "Of course Nathan worries about me. I'm like a little sister to him, then again I am like a sister to a few people as well…"

Antonio looked at her. "Well, even if we don't talk that much I can agree with you on that. I do see you as a sister as well."

The raven blushed more, sipping her tea to relax for a moment. "Anyways… When I came here, I was able to stay away from that man… but I am curious as to how he knew my address… I know Barnaby came by earlier, which scared me and worried me since I never told him of it, but he doesn't know it's me who lives there. Which is why I question why that man knew it was me," she stressed.

Antonio thought for a moment. "It's hard to really say, but I am here to help protect you. That's what heroes do and that's what Witness Protection does."

Maria nodded. "Of course. Thank you 'Toni'," she giggled at him.

He gave a smirk to the nickname. "Hey, do you have a nickname for everyone? You have me as Toni, Kotetsu as Tsu. What is everyone else?"

Maria sat there and hummed while she thought. "Nathan is Nat. Barnaby is either Bar or Bunny. I blame Kotetsu on the Bunny nickname. I don't really have any others, though Keith reminds me of this hero in my comics… I think he goes by Steve Rogers," she giggled.

Antonio smiled at her. "Nice to know we aren't the only special ones who have a nickname though. And comic? Could I look at it one of these days so I could see what you see?"

Maria nodded at him. "Of course you can, Toni. I don't mind. Though I should probably get home, make sure everything is safe, and lock my home down again."

The large male nodded, paying for their drinks. "I will walk you home then and make sure everything is safe."

"Thank you."

"You're welcome."

The male escorted the female to her home and helped look around the house to make sure the man wasn't around and afterward they two said goodbye. He waited outside to hear the locks become secure and he walked on to his own place.

Maria sighed and stared at her papers again, face-palming. "That search earlier did nothing to help! I need to keep my head screwed on straight and not let the fact that being followed earlier screwed things up. Okay… Let's try this again."