***Trigger Warning***

I hate nightclubs. Experience has told me that it's not my scene. Being closed in by sweaty, drunk people with nothing but one night stands in mind is infuriating to me.

I have never once had fun at a nightclub. In fact, the last time I was here I ended up in handcuffs (and not in the good way). I got into a fight. The man I got in a fight with was a loud, creepy guy who wouldn't stop harassing a woman who was there trying to have fun with her friends. She repeatedly asked the guy to leave her alone and he wouldn't so, I stepped in. Let's just say, I doubt that man will ever step foot in a nightclub again.

After I got arrested, things didn't get any better. The girl who I defended took my kindness as a open door to my personal life. She bailed me out of prison, which I appreciated, but then she kept begging me to sleep with her. When I politely told her I don't hook up with people I don't know she followed me home. She pushed her way in and wouldn't leave my house for like a week. When I caught her trying to pull my pants down while I was sleeping, I asked Inara to get her out (you have no idea how awkward that conversation was). Inara came in and I truly believe she annoyed her out of my house.

Everything is different now. None of that matters. I will never make Lyra miss out on anything she wants to do, no matter how uneasy it makes me. Her soft hand warms mine as I guide her through the crowd.

I scan through the mob of people for Lyra's friend. It doesn't surprise me that Lyra is friends with someone so much older than her, she's an old soul and more mature than anyone I've ever met.

Lyra pulls on my hand, causing me to turn around. "Wait, is that her at the bar?"

I follow her gaze and see Lucy's blonde hair peeking out above the crowd. Lucy was a tall woman and I always got amusement in seeing the height difference between her and Lyra. I go to respond but Lyra is running to her before I can get a word out.

When I catch up to her, she's already in a tight embrace with Lucy, saying how much she's missed her.

"Well, would you look at this." Lucy looks between Lyra and I. "I knew it." The smug look on her face tells me she's referring to Lyra and I having something going on.

Lyra nudges her and mumbles, "Lucy! Please don't ruin this for me" in a voice so soft I know I wasn't supposed to hear her.

I smirk. "Doesn't count if I told you I was into her."

Lyra's eyes grow to the size of the moon, making me even more amused. "You're kidding. You guys talked about me?"

When Lucy and I look at each other and grin in response, she fumes. "You broke girl code! You're obligated to tell me these things."

Lucy shrugs.

"What all was said?" Lyra persists.

Lucy pats me on the arm. "What happens in nightshift stays in nightshift."

Lyra makes the cutest pouty face I've ever seen. "Fine, then you don't need to know what Dr. Gomez said about you."

Lucy rolls her eyes. "I'll remember that when I get married to him and become filthy rich."

"Care to fight this out on the dance floor? It's been awhile since we've had a dance battle." Lyra gently brushes against my arm. I look down to see she's smiling up at me. "I may even be able to convince Mr. McGomery to join."

I'm guessing this is an ongoing thing they do although I can't picture Lucy in a dance battle.

I make no comment.

Lucy grabs her drink and shakes her head. "I'm not drunk enough yet. I'll go get us a table."

Lyra tugs on my arm. "Want to go warm up?"

I lean down closer to her. "Lyra, I promise my dance moves are catastrophically bad. It'll be really embarrassing for you if I go anywhere near that dance floor."

She gets on her tiptoes and wraps her arms around my neck. "I could never be embarrassed to have you next to me. I want to dance with you."

I don't think she knows what she's signing up for, but I don't argue. I swallow my pride and follow her to the dance floor.

The song that comes on only makes me feel more uneasy. 'Get Low' by 50 Cent blasts through the speakers. I'm an awful slow dancer, but I'm even worse at high-speed dances. I look around me to see the moves everyone else is doing. I sigh when I realize I can't mimic any of them. For some reason everyone near us looks like professionals.

I am tempted to go to the table Lucy saved for us, but then I'm met with Lyra's twinkling grey-green eyes. Excitement takes over all her features, freezing me in my tracks. I'd rather look like a fool in front of all these people than disappoint her.

I move my body in an unfortunate series of uncoordinated movements. I look stupid. I know I look stupid because everyone is looking at me like I'm stupid. Everyone except Lyra, she's grinning ear to ear. I offer her an apologetic smile, but she shakes her head. I almost stop dancing until I notice Lyra going from dancing normally to copying my moves.

Seeing how ridiculous she looks performing my dance lets me know I'm as bad as I thought I was, but I don't care. I'm having fun. Lyra and I capture everyone's attention with our unbelievably bad moves. We do this for the duration of the song and two more songs afterwards. I can't remember the last time I felt so carefree. I haven't laughed like this is years.

I put my hand on her shoulder. "I'm going to get us a drink."

She nods. "Okay, thank you! I'll meet you at the table."

When I'm returning with our drinks, I see a man standing very close behind Lyra. She is ignoring him.

I break through the crowd to reach him. "Excuse me." I tap him on the shoulder with my free hand.

He ignores me and presses himself against the back of Lyra. My blood boils. I grab him by the shirt collar. The drinks shatter on the floor, causing all eyes to land on me. "I SAID EXCUSE ME!"

His dark eyes meet mine, drowning in fear.

Lyra spins to face me. I see fire behind her eyes. "Let him go Brexton." She says cooly.

"Yeah, sexy said let me go." The middle aged man retorts.

I lift a fist, ready to attack. I feel a unbreakable grip on my arm, preventing my fist from connecting with his ugly face.

"Mr. McGomery, a word." She says harshly into my ear.

I let my arm drop back down to my side. "Right behind you."

She sways her hips as she walks out the front door of the club. If this is how she looks when she's mad, she's in trouble. I may have to make her mad more often.

She whips around to face me, arms crossed over her chest. "What are you doing?!"

I lean against the wall, admiring her. "He was being a pervert."

She sighs. "He was drunk and I could've handled him."

"I wanted the pleasure."

"If you would've had the pleasure you would've also gotten the prison sentence." She spits. "How do you think the Jury will like you attacking someone? There were so may witnesses."

She's right, I didn't even think about that. "I'm sorry, when I saw him trying to assault you I lost my mind. I'll be more careful from now on, I promise."

She comes up and hugs me. "Good, because I won't loose you. I appreciate you protecting me, but you have to start thinking about you too."

"Okay, I will."

She adjust her hair, pulling back. "I think you should stay out here and cool off a minute. I'll be with Lucy."

I watch her leave, wondering what Lucy thinks of me now. I mean, I didn't hurt him, but I would've. She might be worried I'm violent.

Ten minutes later, my phone rings. Lyra's name covers my screen. I immediately answer, afraid the creepy guy was causing her problems. "Hey, everything okay?"

"Umm, I don't know." She talks slow. "I just ran into someone."

A shiver crawls down my spine. "Please tell me it's not Jeremiah."

"Close. His ex."

I rush to the door, showing security my ID. "Don't go anywhere with her, I'm on my way."

"Okay."

"Keep me on the phone."

"I will."

When I walk in I see Lyra standing next to one of the girls I shot.