The afternoon air was chilly as Joey and Kenzi exited the massive circus tent. Like many other firsts, Kenzi had gotten to experience her first circus with Joey right by her side. As Kenzi buttoned up her navy blue pea coat, Joey slid an arm around her waist and grinned as they walked away from the big-top and along the row of brightly lit sideshow attractions.

Now almost three months after having met, the two had been spending more and more time together; despite the distance between Philadelphia and Detroit. Kenzi had become much more accustomed to flying, and had even made a couple of trips to Detroit on her own without any apprehension at all. She was becoming a familiar sight to members of the Outlaw MC, and being recognized as "Joey's girl" had some definite advantages in Detroit. Of course, Kenzi wasn't the type to try and take advantage of anything.  He would have given her every diamond in the city if she asked, but all she really seemed to want was him.

The circus had been a last-minute date idea when Kenzi had shown up at the clubhouse as a surprise to Joey.  She hadn't been scheduled to come in until the weekend, but things were slow in Philly, and Kenzi had a surprise for him. As they rounded a corner, she grabbed his hand and led him to a picnic table and bench that faced the Detroit River. Grinning, she sat him down on the bench and reached into her bag. It was the same, tattered bag she'd carried since her arrival in Philly, but she just couldn't seem to part with it. Now, she pulled a gift-wrapped box out of it, about the size of a cigar box, and handed it to him.

"I got a payout from something I did for Bella, and...I wanted to get you something. I hope they're the right size.  I had to sneak a call to one of your guys to ask which ones to get."

Under the wrapping was a polished wooden box. Inside, resting on lining of red velvet, sat two pistol grips made of black pearl and engraved with silver. The words inscribed were "Outlaws" and "J. Ferrari." on each one. 

"They're for your revolver." Kenzi said through an eager smile. She watched his expression carefully, hoping he'd like them.

Joey couldn't have been happier with the surprise of Kenzi making the trip down to see him, he was already so excited to see her this weekend that when she showed up early he ran to meet her drawing some mocking aws from the club to which Joey yelled "Ah shut the fuck up and get back to what you were doing!!!"

Before going to the circus Joey had to stop by somewhere to pick something up early because he thought Kenzi wasn't going to be here for a few days, he put it in his pocket before returning to his bike and taking Kenzi to her first circus. 

After the show upon receiving the gifts from Kenzi a little tear rolled down his cheek as he took Kenzi into his arms and hugged her and gave a small kiss showing how happy he was, before pulling whatever he had gotten from the place early out of his pocket. "Hey so we've been kind of dating for a little while um, so I got you these" It was a set of pearl earrings and an emerald ring to match the eyes Joey first fell for. "Kenzi I want to be with you officially and always, no one makes me feel the way you do and running into you and Aunt Bella that day I think changed both our lives for the better. What do you think? Want to be my one and only girlfriend and maybe down the line more? Though.......if you don't want too....I mean I understand....ummm" 

Upon laying her eyes on the gift he pulled from his pocket, Kenzi's mouth dropped open slightly as she gasped softly. It took her a moment to pry her eyes away from the jewelry in his hand, but when she did she met Joey's and gave him the biggest smile she could ever remember smiling. Her arms flew around his neck and she hugged him tightly.

"That is what I want, Joey. More than anything!"

She kissed him sweetly on the lips, then on the cheek as she squeezed him again in a hug. Before she pulled away, she opened her eyes to look out over the river. That's when she noticed three men a few hundred yards away walking toward them. They didn't look like Joey's guys- and one of them had a crowbar. Kenzi stiffened immediately, backing away a little with both eyes locked on the figures.

"J-Joey...there's three men coming towards us..."

Her eyes looked panicked, and as she finished the sentence, the three seemed to realize they'd been made and started running toward them. 

Joey's face faltered for a moment when it seemed like Kenzi gasped, not sure if it was good or not as Kenzi was the first girl he'd ever really had a thing with. But when she looked up it was like the weight of the world had been taken on off him as he held her and kissed her. 

The happiness of the moment was quickly stopped as Joey looked up over to where she was pointing, Joeys eyes sharpened as he saw them "Get to the bike and get back to the club house now Kenzi get someone from there or let Aunt Bella know but get out of here now Kenzi." Joey pulled out a switch blade wanting to buy time for Kenzi to get away rather than starting a shootout which could get Kenzi hurt. Joey started walking towards the three with anger in his eyes that anyone would threaten his love.  

Though not happy about the idea of leaving Joey alone, Kenzi wasn't one to argue. He knew best. She broke for the bike, shoving the box with his precious gift to her into her bag as she ran. As she approached the bike, she was thankful for the couple of weekends Joey had spent showing her how to ride. Jumping into the seat, she kicked over the engine, but nothing happened. She squeezed the clutch harder and kicked it again- nothing. Looking up and toward where Joey was, she checked everything just like he said, then tried one more time. Nothing. 

"Shit!"

Kenzi put the kickstand back down and got off the bike. What was she supposed to do now? She knew she couldn't call for the cops- that was one of the things she'd learned first and foremost. They handle their own issues, and cops were nothing but trouble. She turned back to the bike and stared at it for a moment. That's when she remembered what was in the saddle bag.

This was going to suck, that's all Joey knew this was all about buying Kenzi enough time to get the fuck out of here. He ran up with his switch blade slicing a little wildly in the air to make the guarded before thrust kicking into one of the three's kneecaps as the man collapsed and Joey struck wild with his knife to back off the second guy, the third guy connected with the crowbar to the side of Joey's head. Joey dropped to his hands and knees trying to focus but everything was so blurry, a strike to his ribs ass one of the men's boots connected and a sharp blow to the side of the head as a fist connected with his jaw.

Joey spit out some blood before the crowbar struck again and the last thing Joey thought before he was knocked unconscious "Please let Kenzi be safe"  

"NO! Joey!"

Kenzi was running at full speed toward Joey and the three men when she saw him go to his knees. Her outcry caused the three guys to stop and look up at her. Taking that opportunity to cause even more distraction, she fired a shot haphazardly, her hands shaking. 

"Back off.  S-step away from him, or...I'm going to put a bullet your brains."

The man getting up from the ground let out a loud laugh.

"Oh, really, sugar tits? You don't look like you could hit a bullet with the broad side of a barn."

He smirked and went to take another kick at Joey, but Kenzi fired another shot and managed to hit him in the leg, causing him to again hit the ground. The other two looked at each other, then backed off a bit, dropping the crowbar. The taller one seemed a little less concerned.

"Ok, ok, just relax, lady. We just had some business with your boyfriend here, but we're all squared away. Why don't you put the gun down? I really think it would be best for you."

Kenzi didn't move, she kept the gun defiantly pointed at him; then the man pulled his own gun and pointed it at her, flashing an arrogant, snaggle toothed grin.

"You didn't think you were the only one that brought a gun to this fight, did you?"

Now Kenzi's hands were shaking visibly. She dropped to her knees beside Joey, but didn't put the gun down. 

"You know you're already dead, right? His boys will be here any second- seven of them with us.  They went to get corn dogs...but you know they heard those gunshots, and you know they're coming."

Whether they would call her bluff or not, Kenzi couldn't say. The man writhing in agony on the ground moaned as blood poured from his leg. The shorter of the other two nudged his partner.

"You know, someone had to have heard it...we should get the fuck out of here."

The taller man shook his head.

"She's full of shit. But we can't leave them here. You take Paulie to the truck then come back and get Joey. I'll handle sugar tits."

He took a step toward Kenzi. She pulled the trigger again, but all that came out was a click. She was out of bullets, and luck. The taller man pulled her up by her hair and put a large hand over her mouth to keep her from screaming.

----------

An hour later, Kenzi was sitting on the dirt floor of an old barn, bound at hands and feet with a gag tied tightly in her mouth. Joey was laid out beside her, still unconscious. The three men were nowhere to be seen or heard.

Waking up on the ground of some barn he shook his head trying to get the cobwebs out, but couldn't stop seeing double and fell down when he attempted to get up almost throwing up from the blurred vision. He closed his eyes and tried to focus on what he heard other than that fucking annoying ringing in his ears, he could swear he heard something muffled? Something...higher pitched? KENZI!!!?!? Opening his eyes he tried to find her, seeing a figure but his vision was to blurred to make it out, he started crawling towards the figure with his eyes closed hearing her getting closer until he was near her then he tried to find the gag and remove it.

"Kenzi? Baby is that you? You were supposed to get away what happened and how did you get here? I can't see straight yet, do I have my gun on me cause if I do and anything that's not friendly walks in here you're gonna have to be my eyes and ears for where to shoot"

Kenzi gave a deep sigh of relief as she saw Joey start to wake up. She tried to talk to him, to let him know she was there, but the gag caused nothing but muffled nonsense. He stumbled to his feet and found her, and managed to get the gag loose. 

"There was something wrong with the bike. It wouldn't start at all. I didn't know what else to do, so I got your spare pistol from the bag and came back when I saw them knock you out. I... I managed to shoot one of them in the leg, but another one had a gun too, but then mine was out of bullets. They tied me up and put us in a truck  then dumped us here and left. They've been gone for hours. I don't know if they're coming back."

She looked at him with so much worry in her eyes. 

​​​​​​"Are you alright? I've been so scared that you were going to..."

Joey growled in frustration at not being able to protect Kenzi. 

“I am so sorry Kenzi I failed to protect you, so you have any idea how long we were in the truck for so I have an idea how far out we are? Is anything on either of us missing?” I’m so sorry I’m not more use yet once my head adjusts I promise I’ll get you out of here you understand Kenzi? I love you we’re gonna get you out of here babe.” 

Joey started messing around with his pockets and indeed found his revolver and checked and heard it was still loaded, he then struggled and took time to find the bonds on Kenzi but slowly cut them off hopefully without nicking her though he found it strange he wouldn’t have been disarmed. 

“Are you okay? Did I get the ropes off you?”

As soon as the bonds were loose, Kenzi stood and turned to Joey, taking him in a relieved hug. 

"Don't apologize, baby, you didn't fail me at all. I think they messed with your bike- like cut a wire or something. They said they had business with you, so they must have known you were there."

Kenzi reached up and ran her fingers gently through his hair, careful not to get near the place where they'd hit him. 

​​​​​​"I fell asleep in the truck, but I know we were in there for at least an hour before I fell asleep. It was still dark when we got here. It's just now dawn. I heard them say they were going to take the guy I shot to get patched up, but they didn't say if they were coming back."

She placed a reassuring kiss on his lips.

"I'm not scared, Joey. I'm with you, so I don't need to be. We'll figure this out."

Joey struggled to make it to to his feet before finally being able to with Kenzi’s help he opened his eyes his vision was better but he was still dizzy almost definitely concussed from the blows to the head he had endured.

”Let’s look around again if anything just shout where to shoot I’m still a little disoriented but I can listen to your directions. Now let’s go and find out where we are and how the hell to get at least you out of here in case they come back.”

Joey winced as she accidently brushed over where the main shot to the head took place as they started staggering around investigating the barn they were in Joey kept his gun out in front of him. While feeling like an idiot for not bringing a guard to the circus with them and how if anything happened to his beloved Kenzi it was his fault. He tried smiling reassuredly at her as they progressed.

The barn appeared to be abandoned, aside from some rusty old farming tools and the occasional rat or squirrel. Outside, there was nothing but overgrown woods around a dirt road. The grass was wet with dew and a chilly breeze blew by, rustling the bushes and trees. Kenzi looked around and listened for any sound of an engine or people, but heard only birds. She looked back at Joey, then at the dirt road.

"Maybe we shouldn't try to go, not just yet. You took some bad hits, baby. I don't want anything to happen that might make it worse."

He looked to be in pain, which wrenched Kenzi's heart. All she wanted to do was take the pain from him. 

"We could be anywhere..." 

​​​​​

Joey yelled in frustration, as he collapsed back on the ground from his wounds and the helplessness of the current situation.

”No phone or anything? If there’s nothing else then we must be ready for when they come back to fight is there somewhere for you to hide for when they come back? I’ll be of more use soon until then see if there are some traps to wet and a place for you too hide when they come back please Kenzi promise tocstay hidden no matter what? “

Kenzi didn't respond right away, but helped Joey back to his feet and walked him back into the barn and carefully to sit on the ground against an empty stall. There, she sat on her knees beside him.

"I'm not going to leave you without help again. You...you can't imagine how awful it felt to see those guys going after you and not being able to do anything. Even if the bike had started...I don't think I could have left you. We'll figure it out- for now, try to relax."

She looked into his eyes- her own filled with concern, but a gentle smile on her lips for him. 

"How do you feel? Do you think anything is broken?"

A tear rolled down Joey's face.

"Please Kenzi, your whole life you were a slave and abused and had unspeakable things done to you, you've been free and happy for a few months now. Kenzi I won't be the reason your life turns back to that I can't be the reason for that to happen to you again."

He groaned a little before answering the second question.

"Maybe a rib is broken? but for the most part it's just this fucking headache which is getting a bit better" 

Taking his hand, she shook her head.

"Joey, listen to me, there's no way I'm going back to that life, no matter what.  I wanted to ask you about something earlier, but we didn't get a chance. I want you to teach me to shoot. I want to be able to really defend myself- or others- if needed. I've seen you all for months now, and even Bella is deadly with weapons. There's no reason I shouldn't be able to be, as well."

With a little bigger smile, she shrugged.

"I like you protecting me, but I don't want you worried about me all the time if we're not together."

A fluttering sound came from above them, then zoomed over their heads.  Kenzi ducked a little, then looked up.  A barn owl had come from some dark corner and alighted on the railing above them.  

"Hmm, I wonder what's up there."

She touched Joey's shoulder, then stood up and walked to the other end of the barn where a wooden ladder was nailed against the wall. Kenzi looked up for a moment, then started to climb up slowly.

"Of course babe I'll teach you whatever you want including how to shoot, and Bella and Gavin actually taught me how to shoot growing up, mom and dad would've but they were too busy most of the time and knowing who I was the son of Bella and Gavin never wanted me defenseless."

Joey's head darted around looking for the source of the sound.

"I hear it too, go check I have my gun my vision is kind of almost back to normal if anything just tell me where to point and shoot, but be careful do you still have my back up?" 

"They took the gun from me when they took us to the truck.  The taller of the three- he has it."

Kenzi called down as she ascended the old but surprisingly sturdy wood post ladder. The afternoon sun coming through worn and broken slats provided just enough light for her as she made her way up into a loft that ran along the edges of the barn. Climbing off the ladder, Kenzi took deliberate steps to make sure that the floor didn't give way.

"Holy cow. What the heck is all this stuff? There's some kind of equipment up here- big metal vats, tubes, some other stuff."

She could also see a few barrels, crates, and more rusty farm tools. Standing quietly for a moment with her hands resting on her hips, an idea came to her.

"Joey, this is perfect. We can hide up here, use these crates as cover, and as soon as they come in to find us, you can just shoot them.  Then we can take their truck and get back to Detroit, right?"

Joey listened as Kenzi spoke and smiled, that's his girl for someone who was so new to this life man did she adapt fast.

"Yep hang on I'm coming up I'll be a little slow but Imma coming, while I'm climbing read me any labels you see or whatever we need to know if there's a chance for explosions or anything okay?"

Joey strained his ears to listen to Kenzi while she looked and in case he heard anyone incoming, he finally made it up and rested against the crates and motioned for Kenzi to come to him.