“And did ya see it when he got the seventh touchdown?! Holy crap!”
“Kamie.”
“Right..sorry bout that..Holy poop!” she giggled as she imitated her favorite football player, by running around the café.
“...Aaaaand theregoesnumberseventyonerunningdownthefeildtherehegoeslookathimgo!!” she darted between the chairs and costumers, as she pretended to grip a football under her arm.
Mary stood up from her seat, and called for her to come back.
“Kamille, you get back right this instant young lady!”
“TOUCHDOOOWWWNNN!” she threw her tiny hands up in the air and did a little dance once she reached the entrance.
Mary let out a sigh as the handful of customers laughed lightly. The cuteness that the little girl possessed was the only thing that kept her alive sometimes. And the fact that Mary loved her daughter more than life itself, also helped the seven year old to live another day.
Kamie jogged back to the table with a proud grin.
“What about right after we got peanuts!? Did you see him when he-“
“Yes. Kamie. I saw it.”
“And then when-“
“YES, Kamie. Now finish your hot chocolate. Its getting cold.”
The little blond jumped up on the chair, and situated herself as she grabbed the styrofoam cup and guzzled down the remaining chocolaty  goodness.
Mary watched her with a light smile, and took a gulp her coffee.

“And he is really gunna come? Your not pulling my leg are ya mom?”the little girl eyed her seriously.
Mary laughed.
“No, hes coming. I swear it.”
“Swearing isn’t nice mommy.”
“Right...sorry bout that. I promise.”
They exchanged a smirk, and sat quietly for a moment.

“Did I tell you we are old friends?” Mary spoke up.
“Only maybe a dozen times. But  thats kay, its still, like, the coolest thing since lollipops. My mom is friends with the BEST FOOTBALL PLAYER EVERRR!”she cheered.
Then there was a bell ting as the main entrance door opened.
A tall, big blue eyed, muscular mallard walked in quietly. Although, the way Kamie spun around and screamed ‘OH MY GOD ITS TRAVIS CRACKSHELL’, it kinda blew his profile. In a blink of an eye, she was gazing up at  him, her brown eyes as wide as dinner plates. She gripped his huge hand shook it vigorously.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you sir! My names Kamie! And I’m your number one fan!”
Travis blinked down at the little girl with a stunned look on his face.
“Uh, its nice to meet you too Kamie.” a slow smile spread across his bill.
Kamie blushed brightly, and smiled even brighter.




“Hello Travis..” a soft voice said slowly.
The football star’s eyes glided from Kamie to the red head.
“Hey Mary.” he gave her a warm smile.

Kamie was shoved harshly by the boy who stood behind Travis.
“Stop molesting him blondie!”
The little girl stumbled backward, and narrowed her eyes at the boy.
Travis’ warm smile vanished, and he scowled at his son.
“Jr., that wasn’t nice. Say your sorry.” he scolded the boy.
“In case ya haven’t noticed, dad, I ain’t nice!” he crossed his arms stubbornly.
“...Your ugly too.” Kamie grumble.
“Kamille.” Mary said in a warning voice.
“He started it!” she proclaimed.
“Kamille.” Mary scowled at her own child now.
“Hmph.”  The little girl matched Jr.’s pose.

“Come on you two, let go sit down.” Mary offered with a pleasant smile .
Jr. Rolled his eyes.
“I’ll be outside. I hate coffee, and stupid girls.” he glared at Kamie, and walked out of the café. He  sat in one of the chairs on the small patio right outside the little store.

“I’ll be outside too.” Kamie rolled up her selves, and stormed out after the boy.
“You behave yourself Kamille!” Mary wagged a finger after her.

Travis sighed.
“Coffee?” he returned his eyes to Mary’s.
“Coffee.” she agreed.

~*~

“So your names Jr. Uh?” she sat across from the angry looking boy.
“Yeah, you got a problem with it?” he scowled at her.
“And what if I do?!” she slammed a fist on the small table.
Jr. Just kept his glare hard.
“You like to play games Kamie?” he asked coldly.
She blinked and hesitated.
“Well...yeah, yeah I do! You got a problem with-,”
“Then how bout we play one?” he grinned evilly.
“...which one..” she moved back in her chair nervously.
“Survival.”
Kamie glared at him.
“Ever hear of the one called ‘Kick the loser in the face’? Thats my favorite.”

He leaned on the table.
“What about ‘Moving target’?”
“What about ‘Punch in your face Hole’?!”
“What about ‘Rip out all the blond Hair’?!”
“WHAT ABOUT ‘SUPER ATOMIC WEDGIE?!”
“...Yeah. I have heard of that one.” Jr. commented lightly.
“...oh...well...it’s a fun one.”
“Yupp.”
There was an awkward silence.


“.......What about ‘Spit in the girl’s eye’?” Jr.’s dark manner returned.
“WHAT ABOUT ‘AVALANCHE’?!!”


~*~

“How long has it been?” Travis warmed his hands by gripping the cup tightly.
“Too long.” she watched the steam rise from her coffee.
“...Why did you leave? Without even saying goodbye, to anyone?”
Mary’s eyes lowered.
“I was terrified...I, had to leave...because of...” she closed her eyes.
“...because of him..” she finished sadly.
Travis thought for a moment.
“..Where have you been? Where did you go?”
Her eyes opened slowly, and she took a sip from her drink.
“I just ran. Drove for weeks. As far as I could.”
“...And then what?”
She rubbed her forehead wearily.
“We settled down in Nashville for a good while. But whenever an attack by Prodigy-“ she bit her lip, “...an attack by him, was close to where we lived, we moved again. I was just to scared...to find out what would happen if he found me...if he found her.” she looked up at Travis.

“...He, only seems to be getting worse as the days go by.” Travis said quietly.
“I’ve kept up with the news. I know what he’s become. A monster..”
Travis wasn’t sure how to carry on the conversation.
“She seems like a great kid.” he said cheerfully.
Mary smiled down at the brown liquid.
“She is, the only thing that keeps me going really. Sharp as a knife too.”
“And she doesn’t know..hes her father?”
“Of course not.” she laughed weakly.
“Well, what about you? You seem to be doing quite well for yourself Mr. Football star.” she smiled.
“Oh, yeah. Its great. Really, getting to travel for away games is pretty neat too.” he grinned.

“Once Kamie found out you were playing a game near our town, she practically bought the tickets herself.”
They chuckled warmly.
“And hows Morrigan? She has been making quite a big deal in St. Canard I’m told.”
“Oh, you bet. Working to keep her Public Enemy title.”
“As usual.” she smirked.
“As usual.” he agreed. “But she’s great really. Jr.  is really fond of her too. Really looks up to her. Me on the other hand...not so much.”
“Really?” she frowned, “I’m so sorry to hear that..”
Travis laughed lightly.
“Its why I brought him out here. To have a little father/son bonding time ya know? Hes not too keen on the whole deal though.” he said a bit disappointed.
“I’m sure he’ll come around.” she offered with a smile.
“I hope so...”
There was another long moment  of silence as they drank their coffee.
“..Travis, I need to ask you a favor.”
He swallowed and licked his lips.
“Sure.”
“..Could you, I mean...please, don’t tell anyone about this meeting..”
He watched her carefully.
“Mary..I..”
“Please Travis. It might risk it, he might find out and-“
“Don’t you think if he wanted to find you he would have already?”
“I don’t want to risk it..”
“You can’t keep running.”
“I need to protect her.” she said firmly. “I won’t temp him Travis. Now please, promise me. Please..”
Travis kept his eyes locked on hers.
“....I- ”
There was a loud crash from outside of the café.
Mary and Travis looked at each other terrified before they both jumped up and ran to the exit.

“YOU CRAZY BITCH! WHERE THE HELL DID THIS COME FROM?!” Jr.  screamed as a huge bolder now was inches away from where he was sitting.
“YOUR STUPID FACE!” Kamie growled as her hands glowed a bright yellow, and she tried to get a grip on the bolder. The tiny table was now in pieces.

“Kamille !!” Mary rushed over and picked the girl up.
“What are you doing!? What did I tell you about using your powers?!”
“He made fun of you mom! He said that you- ”
“Don’t make excuses, and keep silent for God’s sake.” she said harshly.
Kamie blinked hurt and buried her face into Mary’s shoulder. The red head, held her weeping daughter to her securely. She turned to see Travis helping the infuriated Jr. up off the patio.
Mary gave Travis a sympathetic look, as if now begging him, not to say a word.

Travis stared blankly at Mary for a long moment, before  nodding his head slowly.
“..Thank you..” Mary whispered, before she made a dash down the street. If anyone saw what Kamie did, there would be questions, reporters. She had to get out of there. And in a few moments, she had disappeared from sight.

Travis glanced down at Jr.
“You ok slugger?” he rubbed his back lightly.
Jr. seemed to be in a state of shock.
“Drake?” Travis said giving him a light shake.
“...What a girl..” Jr. smirked.