Forgetting It All ( Patrick )

[Kazumi O'Connor]

OOC: Continued from here

Once they had gotten into her car, she would reach into her purse and grab her keys, turning over the ignition and then backing out of the lot, a glance cast toward him before she would smile and throw the car into gear...taking off. It had taken awhile since she first got free from Earth for her to ever get behind the wheel....and even longer for her to start driving like she used to....But now? Well now she was right back to driving way too fast....All it had taken was her realizing that she had already died once.....So what was the worst that could happen? She stay dead this time? Yeah...some days that didn't seem like such a bad idea.

Either way, she would cut her way through the streets, her mind working over the various places that she wanted to go and finally settling upon one which she had discovered during one of those days where she had just taken off driving and tried desperately to escape the world and the torment that she always felt. She loved it...but she wasn't sure what he would think.... None the less, she would tap the steering wheel lightly. Her mind playing over various things as she let her eyes roam over the lights of the city, though it wasn't long before they began to slowly fade from sight. She was opting for some place out of the city....though she didn't say anything...No, she was going to let him just guess as to where they were going, though she would give him a little hint..."Ho...Hope you don't m...mind a bit of a drive..."

A little smile flashed his way before she would finally get out on the open road and take off even faster than she had been going. It took awhile, perhaps an hour or so, to get to where she was going....but eventually she would slow as they came near what looked like an entry way into a state park of some kind. A deep breath taken as she just breathed in the scent of the fresh air and continued down the path until she came to a clearing near a lake. The place was deserted at this time of night, which was why she had chosen to come here. No sounds of the city, no lights aside from the brightness created by the full moon which rippled and shimmered off the lake.

She would stop, putting the car into park and then letting her hands fall into her lap, eyes looking out over the lake before them before she would turn her head, letting it lay back against the seat, and look at him...moonlight capturing her eyes and creating a shimmer within them much like that which it created off of the water before them. "I l...love it here..." A soft smile curling onto her lips before she would reach over, trailing her fingers along his jawline softly and then pulling back, nodding toward the lake slightly. "C...Come on..."

With that, she would climb out of the car, popping the trunk as she did and moving around to grab a blanket that she had back there.....Eventually, she would move down, closer to the water's edge and lay the blanket out....gathering up her dress so that she could lower herself down onto the blanket, waiting for him to join her. Once he had, she would rest her hands in her lap, her eyes on the water, her mind wandering. "F..First time I came here....I...I had been th...thinking that...I should just ki...kill myself...that I sh...should just...end it all before I became a burden on my family..." She didn't know why she was telling him this....but....she just felt that she needed to. "I...I remember....feeling s..so alone and so...so utterly destroyed....Like all I...I would ever be....is th..that girl locked away in th..that room." Her eyes shimmered with a light film of tears, yet they did not fall....instead, she just straightened her posture and struggled to maintain some form of dignity in this moment.

[Legion]

Behind the wheel she seemed much like her old self. Driving way faster then anyone should on the streets, it was somewhat comforting to him to see that at least. Patrick smiled as he was forced back into his seat by her driving, confident in the fact that she was actually a good driver so he could at least relax in the fact that she was at least back to her old driving habits. She didn't tell him where they were going and knowing Kaz well enough, that likely meant that he had to guess or just wait and see. It would really become clear to him though when she said that she hoped he didn't mind a drive, causing Patrick to narrow down the list of places while really opening everything up, "Outside the city?"

Patrick would grin once she made it outside city limits as she would speed up even more, testing the limits of the road and her fancy car. Even though Patrick wasn't driving he had to admit that being in the passenger's seat for this wasn't all so bad. After about an hour when they made it to where she had been heading the whole time Patrick had to admit that it was beautiful. The moon shimmering off the pond was absolutely beautiful, and with no sounds or lights from the city, not even the burn in the sky the the city usually gave off could be seen. The only light given was from the full moon, but that was enough, to see it glimmering off the lake, and then as he turned to face her, her eyes. As she spoke, her hand against his face, he could only muster a nod in agreement.

He got out when she did, taking a step or two down towards the lake as she went around back for the blanket. It was absolutely beautiful out here and Patrick was quite glad they were alone. Not because he needed anything physical or anything, though that was a huge plus, but he did cherish their time alone together. Once she had set the blanket Patrick would sit down next to her. When she'd start to open up to him Patrick would turn his head towards her and look on her with a frown before saying, "Well I'm very glad ye didn't. I care for ye very much."

Patrick saw the tears but he also noted how she was holding herself, he wouldn't intervene, yet...

[Kazumi O'Connor]

She would turn to look at him once she was certain that she had the tears out of her eyes, a little smile forcing its way onto her lips as she gave a slight nod and inched her way closer to where he was, laying her head against him and drawing in a deep breath. She felt so calm here, so at peace, and would simply allow herself to relax some, her fingers lightly toying with the skirt of her dress. "I care a...about you a l...lot too." And she did, she had for some time now, though until recently such things had never seemed to matter.

Closing her eyes, she allowed herself to just relax, feeling him against her and just savoring the warmth of his body next to her own. Though it wasn't long before the distinct sound of a car approaching caught her attention, her brow raising slightly as she gave a rather frustrated little sigh. She didn't have to look to take a guess as to who it was, the time of night and the fact that there were only a hand full of people who would know where she was, well....yeah...."Edward..." The name muttered off her lips as the headlights came into view, a black SUV pulling up behind her car and coming to a stop.

Reluctantly she would pull away from Patrick, casting him a somewhat apologetic glance as she shook her head and shifted to her knees so that she could move to stand. "He w...works for my Mother...He w..was assigned to...to me in order to keep me s..safe..." Figuring she owed some kind of explanation, then leaning in and offering him a soft kiss against his lips before she would whisper lightly. "Just g...give me a mi...minute, I will get rid of...of him." A little nod before she pushed herself up to stand, little hands gathering up the skirt of her dress to keep it from dragging along the ground.

As the door of the SUV shut, a rather large figure would make his way into the beam of the headlights. Well, large in comparison to Kazumi of course, hands clasped together in front of of him. "Kazumi." Calling to her even as she made her way toward him. His dark eyes following her figure as she moved, rather intently at that.

"Edward, we d...discussed this...I..I don't ne..need you following me all th..the time. I am...am perfectly alright.." Moving to stand in front of him, those blue eyes looking up into his eyes, yet holding a good distance away from him. Though, that didn't seem to matter as he took a few steps forward, closing the distance rather quickly and shaking his head, his facial expression softening just slightly as he reached out and ran his hand smoothly along her arm, as if tracing her flesh under his touch.

"It is not safe out here for you. You know that. You need to go home." Watching as she flinched away from his touch, his hand pulling back if just slightly. "Come on...you can ride with me and I will send one of the other men out to get your car in the morning." A hand coming up and toying with one of the curls that fell down around her face idly, causing her to wince slightly and try once more to back away, only to find herself backed into the trunk of her car.

"I..I am fi..fine. I do..don't need you to t..take care of me....J..Just go away now." She felt cornered and a slight whimper would escape her as her fingers began to tremble, her hand moving to try and push his away though he caught her wrist easily enough and would hold it rather tightly.

"I said, you need to come with me. Your Mother won't like it if you stay out here all alone." Clearly not having seen that she wasn't alone, another step forward still gripping her wrist and causing her to let out a rather sharp little yelp. Not so much from the pain but from the panic growing in her chest. She understood that he was just trying to protect her....but it scared her, the way that he went about doing it. So much so that she couldn't get the words out to tell him she wasn't alone, that she was perfectly safe. But then, nobody really knew she had a boyfriend.....except for perhaps her Mother, now.

[Legion]

She leaned up against him, her head on his shoulder causing Patrick to let out a little sigh. He really did like the feel of her against him. And she seemed to have fought back the tears so Patrick would neglect to mention them, giving her her moment. It seemed like the least he could do. That and he was enjoying this too much to interrupt it over what seemed like nothing. Besides, someone else would be decided to ruin their fun shortly as Patrick too heard a car making its way towards them in the distance. This would have normally alarmed him but Kazumi seemed to know who it was the way she muttered the name under her breath. And lo and behold, she would explain it to him, that it was just her personal little security detail.

It wasn't too surprising really, her mother did seem to be the paranoid type. Not in the least bit out of what he assumed was the ordinary for her. All the same when, Edward, stepped out of the SUV Patrick watched the man intently. The irishman noticed how Kazumi took a somewhat large distance from the man, though it wasn't big enough to set of any alarms. What did though was how the man seemed to close that distance, which wouldn't have been as weird if he hadn't, stroked her arm? No, that couldn't be right. He was just trying to grab her arm right? Patrick trying to fight of the paranoid boyfriend thing. Nor did the flinch from Kazumi do anything to increase actual suspicions, though he was standing at this point. The man's words while overprotective still seemed in line, but he was starting to weird Patrick out.

When his hand came up to play with her hair, that' when Patrick began to take a few steps forward. That was definitely out of line, he wasn't imagining that one. Kazumi told him to go away again, to no avail, only causing him to grab her by the wrist, angering Patric when she let out a whimper. Patrick would make his way quietly around the car, on the side where the man's arm was grabbing Kazumi's, so on the man's right presumably. When the man spoke again his words this time around would sound more sketchy from his past actions and as Patrick would appear right next to him he would speak up, "I think it's time for ye to leave."

Patrick's right arm gripping the man's forearm now. He had chosen this side to come up on because he trusted that Kevala's men would have a base level of competence and so he'd approach from the weakest side...

[Kazumi O'Connor]

Kazumi felt her breath leave her in a shaky little rush as she tried to pull her arm back, wincing a bit a the pain it created. Despite her best efforts, the warm feel of her tears spilling forth from her eyes was felt as they rolled down her cheeks, mussing up her makeup just a bit...though at the moment she didn't particularly care about that.

When she heard Patrick's voice however, her eyes darted toward him. So thankful that he was there right at that moment, noting the way that his hand reached out and gripped Edward's arm. Edward on the other hand looked less than amused, no attempt made to strike out, nor did he turn his focus away from the small girl he currently had pinned up against the trunk of her car. He did however release her wrist, allowing Kaz to pull her arm back. Still, she wasn't able to wiggle free, since the last step he had taken had pretty much pinned her body between his own and the car itself.

"I would suggest that you get your hand off of me." His tone rather calm as he would arch his brow at Kazumi, finally turning to give the boy a glance, and a hint of recognition crossing his gaze. That, for some reason, causing him to take a step back and allow for the small girl to slide her way along the trunk of the car until she was able to free herself from it and take up a spot behind Patrick, placing him between herself and her security guard.

"I...I t..told you...I...I am fine. N..Now go away." Her tone a bit more shaky, her little fingers curling into the back of Patrick's jacket as she tried to calm the trembling in her hands.

Edward would watch the little scene rather intently, his brow arching a bit more as he noted how Kazumi moved to hide behind Patrick, noting the way that she seemed to try and use him as a form of protection almost like a...

He grinned, a bit of realization seeming to come to him as he jerked his arm back, assuming it had not been released at his point, simply bowing his head toward the girl when she spoke. "My apologies. I didn't realize you had your.....boyfriend....here." Emphasizing the word as if to gauge for a reaction, to make sure that he had not gotten his signals crossed. Almost as though he had an interest in this little situation that he had found himself in.

"Y..Yes...Well...j..just go...go home. I wi...will call Mother and let her know I a..am alright." She nodded and brushed her tongue slowly across her lips. Keeping her eyes focused on the man before them yet not daring to move from her current position, her free hand rubbing her wrist slightly, sure she would have a bruise there soon enough.

"Ah, alright then. My mistake. You two have a good evening then..." A slightly odd tone given, one that seemed to be a mixture of politeness as well as interest and curiosity. "I will see you tomorrow Kazumi." Backing his way toward the SUV, not foolish enough to take his eyes off the boy, a strange sort of affection sounding in the way that he said her name.

Once he had reached the door to the vehicle, he would open it and climb in. Yet he didn't take off right away but instead remained there, looking at them....or more specifically at her, for a few moments longer, longer than he should have.....Reaching out and grabbing up his phone as he pressed one of the keys and then placed it to his ear. Kazumi naturally assuming that he was calling her Mother would simply move to slide her hand into Patrick's, moving herself around him and then resting her head against his chest. "I...I am sorry ab..about that....He...He can be a bit...over zealous every no..now and then." Trying, clearly to downplay the entire thing as she closed her eyes, letting out a little sigh.

As for Edward, only once he had finished with his phone call would he throw the SUV into reverse and pull out....backing his way down the path until he hit the main road and then taking off, leaving them, once again, alone with nothing but the surrounding forest and lake to keep them company.

[Legion]

Even when Edward let go of Kazumi's wrist Patrick wouldn't let go of his arm. He still had her pinned to her car after all. Patrick noted though that he was not exactly happy with Patrick's contact but he kept a cool and level head. Something that the irishman would expect from people Kevala would hire, but he had to wonder where she hired them from, what kind of training or experience they had. His only guess was that whatever it was, they'd all seen some sort of action before. When the man would give Patrick that warning, nothing would cross his face, no fear, or particular desire to let go. Holding on to prove a point, that he wasn't going to be pushed around, defiant but not a childish defiance.

When his look brushed over Patrick his eyes would narrow. What was that just now? Some sort of recognition? Why? Had Kevala briefed her men on him when he had shown up at her door looking very ready to kill? Her paranoia would seem to suggest that that was a very real possibility, but still. Patrick's paranoia and his already growing dislike for this guy made him morbidly curious to find out if he was wrong, though none of that would show on his face. Patrick would take a step with him, though his right foot would trail behind his left now.

"Oh?" Patrick's reply would come to Edward's threat, signalling that he wasn't going to be pushed around. Patrick knew damn well that his grip on the man's arm wasn't victory in of itself, but his positioning and ability to strike before edward would even be able to get to him was vastly superior. If Edward was as good as Patrick assumed he was, he'd know it too and so Patrick didn't feel the need to point that out. It went without saying really.

As this little stare down was happening Patrick would take note of Kazumi re positioning herself behind him, and would feel her grabbing on to his jacket. She told him to go away again, leaving Patrick to watch as Edward's face contorted into some realization he seemed to be having, leaving a bad taste in Patrick's mouth.

When Edward would attempt to jerk his hand away Patrick would let go as he did, giving him no resistance, just as a final little slap in the face. His face would remain blank as Edward gave his sick little summation of what he saw, feeling as if it were some kind of test. His face remaining blank to leave the man in the dark as much as he could anyway.

When the man gave his farewell Patrick noted that his tone was, odd to say the least. He seemed almost overly curious, though it was difficult to guess at why. It could have something to do with his odd amount of affection in his tone and actions towards Kazumi, but Patrick was feeling some what on edge right now. He didn't like the guy and he was having trouble dismissing it as simply an odd and sick little affection for Kazumi. Patrick knew he was paranoid and so he was trying his best not to let him mix personal feelings in with that. But his gut told him something was off.

Patrick noted how he backed away instead of walking away, looking at him. Now that was interesting. If he had some sort of interest in Kazumi that was explainable as him being a threat to that. Patrick was trying hard to now mix up emotions with his ability of perception, wondering if his paranoia towards the guy was merely because his dislike of the man's affection for Kazumi. Wondering if he was simply looking for a reason to get rid of the guy in a more permanent fashion. Though Patrick couldn't shake the feeling that the guy was something more then just a creep, something he figured he should probably keep to himself though. A slight look of disgust finally crossing Patrick's face as the man stared at Kazumi a few seconds longer then what seemed necessary. Patrick's eyes not leaving the man even as he made his phone call, which logical sense would dictate to Kevala reporting in. His arm idly wrapping around Kazumi as she held his other hand and put her head to his chest. The irishman's gaze would remain suspicious through out the phone call that seemed a little too long to be a check in before just leaving.

Only when Edward left Patrick would say, "I don't like him."

Pausing for a moment, his gaze still where the SUV had been. A body guard should make you feel safe, not afraid. Should be professional, which the excessive contact was clearly not. There seemed to be at least one breach of the professionalism he should have displayed, though Patrick couldn't place his finger on anything more then the overly sickening affection.

After a moment Patrick would quietly say to Kazumi, "Ye should let yer Mom know yer alright."

Paranoia bidding him perhaps further then he should, figuring that in the brief phone call of whatever he may be able to get confirmation of whether Kevala was called or not. But Patrick knew he may have been overstepping his bounds, so he would see how things played out...

[Kazumi O'Connor]

She didn't have to turn her head to see that Edward was watching her, a small shiver coursing down her spine as her arms moved to wrap around Patrick's waist, holding onto him rather firmly. As his arm came around her, she would turn her face slightly, burying her face into his chest and just trying her best to distract her mind from Edward and everything that had just happened.

In her mind, it wasn't so much Edward, as it was the situation. Though, perhaps that was due to her trust in people. She knew that perhaps he was a little....odd at times, but he was always around to protect her, and that meant a lot....It was good....Right?

As the SUV pulled out, the silence once more enveloping them, she would let out a soft little sigh, feeling a bit better now and letting the darkness close in around them, savoring it. Yet, when Patrick spoke up, she would pull back, noting that his focus was on the spot where the SUV had been. Eyes softening just a tad, she would reach up, her hand resting against his cheek and urging him to look back at her now instead. A reassuring little smile given. "I...Its alright. I...I know th..that he can be a b..bit...." She paused, trying to think of the word that best fit the man who had just been there...."...d...different...But he j..just gets a l...little over zealous a..about protecting me.." Trying her best to reassure him, to sooth that part of him that had been riled up by her personal security guard's appearance.

Though, when he suggested that she speak to her Mother, she would smile softly and nod. "I..I will talk to..to her about it. I p..promise." She wasn't sure what good it would do, her Mother knew that Edward was a bit different than other employees but he did a great job, even Kaz knew that. "H...He is her he..head of security t...technology. S..Some techno g...genius or so...something." She shrugged softly and would reach down, taking his hand and slowly pulling him back toward the blanket so that she could sit down.

Assuming he would join her, she would lean in, pressing her lips against his cheek and then softly nuzzling her nose along his jawline....a soft little whisper issued against his ear. "Don't...w..worry about him....I a..am fine." Nodding a bit before she would shift to lay down, her hair fanning out around her as she looked up at him with those rather hypnotic blue eyes, the moon once more causing them to light up and shimmer rather beautifully.

As she shifted her hands to lay across her stomach though, the marks about her wrist were already starting to show....She had been bruising a lot easier lately but then...she had been looking rather peeked as of late....However, she didn't look down at her wrist or the distinct fingerprints that encircled it now....Instead her focus was entirely upon him and this moment.

[Legion]

Her hand went up to his cheek, softly bidding his eyes down to hers, his gaze softening a bit as he looked into her eyes. When she pause mid sentence saying the man could be a bit... Patrick mentally completed the sentence. Creepy, neurotic, shifty, untrustworthy. There were so many words that Patrick thought of and wanted to fill in before she found the right word. But out of respect for her he kept his trap shut. When she finished the sentence though, that was when Patrick would speak tone softening a bit, "That was more then overzealous. More then just trying to protect ye."

It was perfectly clear what he was implying. That Edward wanted a little more with Kazumi then just to protect her. Hell, the way he had touched her was pretty clear about that. Now, Patrick wasn't normally the jealous over protective type, but there was a line. If Kazumi was talking to another guy alone, fine so long as the dude didn't try anything. But this was crossing the line. Stroking her arm, playing with her hair, nooooo. Pat just couldn't let that stand, "Stroking yer arm? Playing with yer hair? His tone of voice when he's talking about ye? He wants a little more then just yer protection."

Patrick listened as she told him she'd talk to her mother. That wasn't exactly what he meant, more of her to call her mom to say she was okay. With the intention of getting Kev to say that the dude had called her or didn't call her. If he didn't call her, then that would seem more suspicious. There was just something about the guy, besides the creepy thing but Patrick didn't have anything to go on other then suspicions that would make him seem crazy if he said anything. When she said he was a tech guy that only provoked his suspicions further, something about that making it a little more creepy having an idea of how much surveillance Kev probably had.

Patrick would follow her lead to the blanket sitting down beside her, feeling a little better, even though his paranoia about the guy was still pretty high. He was at least doing better to be distracted, especially when she nuzzled her nose into his jaw, whispering into his ear. His only reply being a quiet, "I hope so, I still don't like him."

When she lay down Patrick couldn't help but be caught in her eyes. They were truly beautiful, and hypnotic, causing him to smile. He would be caught within those blue eyes until she shifted her arms. The movement drawing his eyes towards her arms. And though he almost missed it he saw the bruise, or something. Gently he'd reach out for her arm pulling it towards him to look at her arm closer. The guy's fingerprints were visible. Patrick would have been pissed if he had just bruised her, but to clamp down hard enough to leave individual finger prints? Even though he was pissed Patrick's first and foremost priority was her safety and well being so when he spoke there was only caring in his tone, "Kaz, he hurt ye."

[Kazumi O'Connor]

As he spoke up about his concerns with Edward, she would tilt her head slightly, furrowing her brow as she tried to grasp what he was saying. Before the whole Earth thing, she would have caught on without him having to tell her, but without Phee to reason things out with, the logical part of her mind was, for lack of a better term, absent. It caused her to be a bit more naive, a bit more innocent than she had been before, though typically people didn't catch onto it. Most just assumed she had always been this way and left it at that, never questioning it.

"W..Well I mean....he...he doesn't like me being a..alone out here like this...." Something in her tone suggesting that she was trying to put together the pieces and see in it what Patrick saw...she was just having a bit of trouble. "Th..The first night h..he caught me h...here he drug me ba..back home...Which I...I guess is good be..because I blacked out on the way th..there....He got me home...g..got me in b...bed."

Yeah, she had been halfway home when she blacked out...Next thing she knew, she was waking up in her bed. If not for Edward, then there was no telling what she would have done. Still, as Patrick continued, pointing out various things that Edward had done just now, she would glance away, biting her lip softly as she replayed the events in her mind. A small shudder, barely noticeable, given as she thought about the way Edward's hand had brushed against her arm, about the way his fingers had lightly toyed with that stray lock of her hair.

Now, with the situation defused and with Patrick pointing out what should have been rather obvious to her, she was starting to get a glimpse of the bigger picture.....and to be honest, she didn't like it all that much. Actually, now that she thought about it....he did have a habit of watching her and looking at her in a way similar to the way that Pat looked at her....Sure, there was no emotion that even came close to what she saw in his eyes when Edward looked at her, but he still had that look about him that suggested he saw her as something more than a friend...Now...well now, other thoughts started to come to mind. Thoughts about things he had done before when they were alone...things she had never really thought too much about. Her hand absentmindedly moving to brush against her thigh, a rather uncertain look crossing her eyes.

She didn't say anything, but it wasn't hard to realize that she was thinking about the situation with Edward, the way her hand touched her thigh suggesting that perhaps he had touched her there or something. Though, for now, she said nothing and would remain silent until they had returned to their spots upon the blanket.

As she kept her eyes on him, she would smile slightly, only to have it falter a bit as he took her arm and pulled it toward him so that he could examine it. Those blue eyes falling upon the marks left on her delicate little wrist and a rather nervous bite applied to her lower lip....His words only proving to make her feel that much more uncomfortable as she pulled her arm back and would gently rub the spot in question with her free hand....Her eyes falling away from him now and looking down slightly as she lowered her arm back down onto her stomach. "H...He sometimes d...doesn't realize he gr..grabs that hard....He s..said that he didn't mean to..."

The way she phrased it making it more than obvious that this wasn't the first time such a thing had happened, since clearly Edward had said no such thing this go around. Her hands moving now, tugging at the skirt of her dress as if in an absentminded way of trying to hide something. She noted the hint of concern and dislike in Patrick's tone and she didn't want him to have to worry about her, nor did she want him to anger him too much.

Though it was hard. Hard because she didn't like keeping things from him. Hard because she was very confused at the moment about this entire situation and wanted to discuss it, just so she could better understand. A clear look of wanting to say something coming across her face, though she bit her lower lip in hesitation, holding back for now. However she would cast her deep blue eyes toward him once more, her small body shifting just slightly so that she could inch her way closer to him.

[Legion]

At first when he spoke, judging on her reaction it didn't seem like she understood Patrick. Didn't seem like she caught his innuendo. But perhaps Patrick was wrong. Maybe she was just thinking of other incidents like that perhaps? It wasn't until she spoke that Patrick knew that she didn't get what he was trying to say. Her tone telling him that she was trying to piece things together but she was having a little trouble. Now that concerned Patrick. Did she always have this trouble when if came to innuendo? Picking up things that weren't stated. Did she honestly not know that Edward's actions were sexual in nature, and has she had difficulty in telling all along? Patrick had to pause for a second before coming up with the answer, a simple no. Their time on the pond would suggest that none of his questions were the case. The logic jump from there became simple really. Must have something to do with what earth did to her, least that's what he figured.

Though he had to admit he was a little worried when Kazumi said she blacked out with him. The guy obviously wasn't afraid of physical contact, so it wasn't exactly a large leap to think that during that time he might of... Well Patrick had his suspicions on what happened to Kazumi during these blackouts. Perhaps her bruises were a sign of what ever personality Patrick assumed had taken control was fighting back? He didn't know, and that was definitely something he wasn't even going to suggest. It seemed like an unnecessary worry.

After Patrick had explained a little more he watched her think. A look of concern on his face as she seemed to realize what was going on. It was somewhat discreet but Patrick noticed when her hand brushed against her thigh. It wasn't difficult for Patrick to figure out why she was touching her thigh. He didn't say anything though. He didn't want to embarrass her, if she wanted to tell him, then she would.

When she pulled her arm back out of his grasp Patrick would listen to her carefully, any hints of anger gone, now fully replaced with concern, "Ye need to tell yer mother. If this has happened a few times he shouldn't be around ye, it's not safe."

When he looked at her again he noticed in her face that she was holding something back. It was something it looked like she wanted to say but was scared to. Scared that he might think less of her perhaps? While that may be the case in her hesitance, it wasn't actually the case. With a soft smile Patrick would her hand and tell her, "Ye can tell me anything Kazumi. I'll never think any different of ye."

[Kazumi O'Connor]

She would bite her lower lip. This was all very confusing to her, to say the least. Sure, she understood that Edward probably wanted to be more than friends.....Well she understood that now...But still, it was just very confusing. Of course, that was always the case when something got pointed out to her that she had thought there was no harm in. It always made her question how she could be so stupid, how she could miss something so obvious.

Her little fingers lightly tugging at the skirt of her dress, she would try her best to avoid saying what was on her mind, though when he mentioned her talking to her Mother she would nod. She wasn't so sure that it was unsafe to be around the guy, but she was going to trust Patrick knew what he was talking about here and just go ahead and tell her Mom what was happening.

Her eyes glancing away and toward the water for a moment before he again stole her attention by assuring her that she could talk to him about anything. Looking back at him, she would nod slightly, her hands moving to push herself up so that she was seated and then letting out a soft sigh. "I...I just...." She wasn't sure where to begin even. So, she just figured she would start with the first thing that came to her mind and go from there.

"Th...That night that I blacked out....We...Well w..when I woke up, I w..went to take a shower and....and..." She nervously tugged at her dress a bit more before she would finally shift her legs about and then pull up the skirt of her dress, not stopping until her thighs were exposed....The same distinct fingerprints lining the inside of her right thigh, save for one which was clearly the thumb, positioned on the outter potion of her thigh.

Her small fingers moving to brush against the marks, a little whimper given as she shook her head. "I..I didn't kn..know where they came f..from.....There a...are more...On my si..sides and ar...around my ankle..." She let her dress fall, not fully covering herself up, since she didn't think she had to with him....simply letting it pool in her lap, covering up the marks and a bit more of her thighs, but that was it.

She didn't know for sure that those marks came from Edward, but they looked very similar, enough so that she would put her hands in her lap and fidget somewhat nervously, fingers twisting together and trembling slightly. "I...I mean...he has grabbed m..me before....When I tried to get out o..of the car when w..we were fighting...But l..like I said, he said he was so..sorry...He didn't mean t..to." Her tone was very soft and almost meek, her head down and avoiding looking at him right this moment.

[Legion]

When she sat up and began to speak Patrick looked on with concern. As she began to talk about that night of her black out it would seem, at least in Patrick's mind anyway that his fears were confirmed. Her lifting her skirt to show him the bruises on her inner thigh, the finger prints similar to the bruises on her wrist. She said she didn't know where they came from but she didn't have to. Patrick got the drift of what she was thinking, if only because he was thinking it himself.

Unlike her however Patrick really didn't need the proof to decide that Edward done it. The circumstantial evidence was enough for him. As well as the bruises she had shown him, the ones she had said were elsewhere only making it more "clear" in his mind. To him it was beginning to seem more then just coincidental, however one could say it was from other people. Patrick just wasn't a firm believer in coincidence. As she would let go of her dress and fidget with her fingers Patrick would frown, concern only showing in his face. Sure he had his suspicions but he knew they were unfounded. He had also spent enough time more worried about the guilty then the victim. It was a mistake he didn't want to make again, especially when it was Kazumi and there was a chance she was still in trouble.

Patrick's hand went to pull her hands away from the other, gently holding it in his own as she said that Edward had done it before when they were fighting and said he was sorry. Patrick would reply softly, but not lacking in decisiveness, concern clearly in his voice, "I'm sorry for everything that's happened to ye, but what he's done isn't right. I really think that as a bodyguard he shouldn't be fighting with ye. And if he's bruised ye before, he should know better now. I'm worried about ye Kazumi, I care deeply for ye and want ye to be safe."

[Kazumi O'Connor]

She felt his hand as it wrapped about her own, pulling it away from fidgeting with the other. Her eyes finally turning toward him once more as she let out a soft little sigh and just shook her head. She knew what it "looked" like to her, and yet her mind wouldn't go the full way and assume what he was likely thinking. Perhaps it was her faith in other people that prevented her from doing this or perhaps it was just her naive mind showing through in the moment once again. Either way she would shrug a bit, her free hand moving to trace over her dress where the bruises laid beneath. "I...I know...But I m..mean I started i..it last time." Which had been true. She had just been having a bad day and well...yeah.

"I...I will talk to my mother ab..about it...I promise." Trying her best to offer a reassuring smile, to let him know that she was okay and that she was going to stay that way. At least, she hoped she would. She was still having a hard time believing that Edward would hurt her to a severe degree. Sure...maybe a bruise here and there, but nothing serious...

Her fingers curling about his as she inched her way closer to him and would shift her body so that her head could lay against his shoulder, her eyes closing as she tried her best to just put the thoughts out of her mind and focus on the hear and now.....Since, well, in the end that was all that really mattered to her. She had spent so much time lately living in the past that she just wanted, for once, to stop and focus on what was happening around her....At least when it came to him. "If...If he does anything else...I...I will make sure an...and tell you. O..Okay?" Not sure if that would do any good to put his nerves at ease, to know that she would confide in him. If Edward did something else, and Patrick found it to be.....bad well then Kazumi would believe him and take his advice on whatever he told her to do with the situation. It was just that simple.

[Legion]

When Kazumi said that she started it Patrick's brows couldn't help but furrow a little bit in confusion. He knew that her mind was all jumbled up but still, this seemed different. While Patrick was fully aware that you could convince some one to think that something traumatizing was their own fault Patrick couldn't help but feel that there was no doubt in Kazumi's mind that this was her fault. So if Kazumi was at fault what did that mean? Bruises regardless of any circumstance seemed to be excessive. At least in this case of a fight between them, which Patrick had been thinking was only a verbal thing. Would seem to fit Kazumi at the moment. Regardless that didn't explain the bruises that came from grabbing the inside of her thigh. All things considered Patrick didn't have nearly enough information to make a decision on, so to that sentence he'd only give a genuinely confused, "Ye started it?"

Patrick would give a soft nod as she promised to tell her mother about what had happened. Despite Patrick's opinions on trust he trusted Kazumi, fully. While that didn't mean that he was going to tell her everything that ever happened to him, it did mean that most stories he'd at least not mind her knowing. All things said, he generally liked to keep his past in the past, even if he was constantly reliving the worst moments.

Patrick smiled as she inched her way to him, finally laying her head on his shoulder, her frame seeming to fit perfectly against his. And while this moment was near perfect there was still that lingering worry about her and her bodyguard. Though as she assured him that if anything else happened she'd let him know Patrick would not slightly giving a soft, "Okay."

As she seemed to be done with this whole thing Patrick would be as well. Hell even though the idea of Edward laying hands on her made him angry there was nothing productive to be done about it now. He sat here by a lake, a beautiful girl against him. All he wanted was to make her happy and feel safe. And for now that meant just enjoying the moment, which had perks of its own. After a moment Patrick would sigh, relaxed, Edward fading back into the recesses of his mind, "It really is beautiful out here."

[Kazumi O'Connor]

She nodded, keeping her eyes down and away from him as she lightly traced her thumb along his hand. "He ha...had found me o,,one night, dur...during one of my walks..." Yes, the very same kind of walk she had been in the middle of when she found Patrick there on that dock. "He...He told me to g...get in the car, so I did....I..I didn't want to f..fight with him....Was too tired..."

She sighed, biting her lower lip softly as she thought back over that night, a little shiver running down her spine, causing her to fidget her free hand along her dress that much more frantically. "On...On the way h..home he was lecturing m..me. Kept t..telling me I couldn't j..just wander off like th...that and all thi...this other stuff....I had been having a b...bad night....and h..he said something that set me o...off." She didn't like to admit that she got angry like that, especially since she always felt so bad when she did.

"I...I told him to st..stop and let me out....But when I t..tried to get out he grabbed me....I tu...turned and hit him....and he..he grabbed me again and j...jerked me into the car again....H...Held me to th..the seat...Wouldn't l..let me go...til I calmed down..." She sighed, feeling like she had done so much wrong in that moment. She should never have acted that way, she should never have turned and hit him. A small whimper released to signal her feelings on the matter....though she didn't elaborate any further.

When he spoke of the lake being beautiful, she would feel a bit of relief washing over her. Thankful that he was letting it go for now, thankful that she didn't have to talk about it anymore. Her mind easily releasing the topic and letting it go from her mind, something she was very capable of due to the fact that her mind worked in a constant flow of images because of how Earth had tortured her. "I...I have....come her..here a couple times...I ju..just like the q..quiet and th...the darkness..."

A little smile curling on her lips as she turned her head just enough that her nose could softly nuzzle against the side of his neck, a little whisper issued past her lips, warm breath washing over his flesh. "Th..There is nobody e..else I would want to have with m..me here b...but you." No she had no desire to tell anyone else that this was where she sometimes escaped too. No desire to bring another person out here. No, he was the only one that she wanted to share this kind of time with and the one thing in her life that meant the most...even if she wasn't entirely sure how to word it yet or how to express it properly.

Her lips softly brushing against the flesh of his neck before she would raise her free hand just slightly, allowing her fingers to delicately trace along the back of his hand which still held onto her own. Just allowing herself to savor the feel of his flesh beneath her touch, to know that he was there with her, close to her....One of the most comforting feelings in the world to her.