She looks like she just got ran over by steamroller.

Doe stumbled slightly as she entered my gaze. Her usually brilliant face was dotted with rough bruises and varying degrees of blue and red.

"Doe!" I called out, drawing her attention. I rush over to her ragged form. She was wearing casual clothes, form-fitting jeans and a black top that met the fringe of her jeans asymptotically.

I seemed to be more out of breath than her, I silently hoped I was making a scene out of her, "What happened?"

She smiled weakly and laughed, "Guess I shouldn't have walked here... met the nicest man on the way," she spoke, her voice dripping with painful sarcasm.

"Are you hurt? Do you need to go to--" she cut me off with a reassuring smile and nervous giggle, "No I'll be fine, I'm not a yellow belt in hapkido for nothing,"

"I'm sorry this happened--" she cut me off again with another of her dismissing shakes to the head; smiling timidly.

"No need for you to feel sorry, I'm fine. Now come on, let's get somethin' to eat,"

I led her down to where I had been sitting, trying to assess whatever damage she had taken. The thug seemed to have gotten a few blows to the face with his fists, but the rest of her seemed unscathed. She was termbling noticably though. I tried my best to comfort her while staying comfortably from areas she might object to: giving her a sensual rub on her back and guiding her strongly to her seat.

I was impressed she was able to deter an attacker of any kind. While crime was infrequent in this area, terribly sickening acts were comitted when it did. Most muggers were armed and gave their victims no chance to react, as if they were all trained by some thick-mustached mastermind.

"Really, thanks for asking me out, John, just forget about what happened to me, I'm fine,"

I could tell she was acting strong, I could see that she was in a lot of pain. But I simply nodded, and hoped not to screw things up.

Changing the ponderous subject, I uncharacteristically handled the conversation fairly well. I wasn't sure who was feeding me what to say, it seemed to all stumble out of my throat in an unfiltered fashion. Her eyes protrayed interest, but I couldn't help but notice she was feigning her condition. The whole time her right arm gripped her upper thigh, all through the dinner. She would periodically wince in pain.

I did my best to ignore it all, but it really hurt me, and when we finished our meal... I bent forward to retrieve a tactically dropped fork from the floor.

Suffice to say my worried demeanor was well placed. I don't know how I didn't see it before, but a resonably-sized red stain was traced around her hand. A thin layer of half-dried blood thinly coated her thin hands.

"Doe... you're bleeding, come on, we should get you to a hospital,"

I suspected she was stabbed, but I didn't want to push how she had hurt herself. Her failing resolve glared at me. I don't understand why she felt like she needed to be strong in front of me.

"It's just a small scratch, I'll be fine,"

She went to stand but cringed and sat back down with a thump.

"Ok, actually, can you just walk me home?"

I looked at her skeptically. Was she afraid about going to the hosptial? While I didn't want to see her hurt herself any further, I longed to please her. I don't know why she had this affect on me, usually I push to get my way. Even in her battered condition, she managed to remain beautiful.

Sighing inwardly, I rose to my feet and let her lace an arm around my neck. She grappled on with unusual strength. My eyes traveled up her arm as I lifted her up. She was rather well built, considerable muscles corded themselves around her thin bones. She wasn't lying about her skill in martial arts.

Trying to ease her mind, I worked up a conversation, "You work out? You've got a strong grip for being in the state you're in,"

"Yeah, I try to keep myself in shape when I can. I try to prepare myself for nights like this one. Call it paranoia if you want, but I like to feel secure in myself,"

"You seem perfectly natural, Doe. I always wondered why you fought against the teachers whenever you got in an argument. Ready to beat them up if you don't pass?," I chuckled.

"Hell yea! Most of those overweight and over paid professors need to taste some pain!" she growled in an attempt to subdue the increasing pain.

We had managed a block and I could feel a warm liquid press against my leg.

"Doe! You're bleeding! We need to stop the bleeding,"

Instinctively, I unbuttoned the top of my shirt and slid it over my shoulders. I rolled up her jeans as best I could. Luckily it seems that my skewed vision had failed me before, the wound was only several centimeters above the knee. I taughtly wound my shirt around her leg and lifted her back
up. She seemed rather embarassed by the whole ordeal. The entire time she stared at me with a lulled gaze. I wasn't quite sure what she was looking for or at, but she seemed rather content despite the situation. I could only imagine her pain. Thankfully I had worn my undershirt today, so the cold winds weren't as bad as I had anticipated.

We made it up another block when she asked if she could rest. The street started to ascend from our location. The hill would become increasingly steep from here. I knew I should've just called for an ambulance.

I lowered her down next to a government-planted tree. Woodchips and fresh flowers filled a wooden frame. The dark sky and made the area rather unpleasant, few walked at this time since that last **** occurred around here. I guessed it was around seven-thirty.

"Are you going to be alright Doe?"

"Yeah... I'll be alright,"

She had barely spoken a word since we left, so my doubts became firmly rooted. She did seem rather demure leaning against me though, so I tried not to pressure her.

She wimpered weakly and sighed, dropping the facade, "Actually... could you call an ambulance John? Or find a car? I don't know if I can make it home,"

Her voice was refreshingly calm, so I managed to keep myself from panicking. The whole situation seemed so surreal. Everything was so tranquil and controlled. I wasn't sure what to expect from her. For a moment it appeared to me that perhaps she may just be using this as an excuse to lean on me. I spit on myself for such abominable thoughts. How could I think such things at a time like this?!

"Alright, stay right there, I'll head right back,"

I spun about to find myself staring directly into the pit of another man's rather impressive stomach.