Rosetta looked into his eyes, confused. "What do you mean?" she asked, ignoring his question.

His eyes were far away.My wife... my child... the judge...When he mentioned the judge his face flamed with unbelievable anger.

Rosetta flinched when she saw the anger and moved back slightly. She was almost afraid to ask what all had happened.

He saw her fear and looked down. His face was serene and calm agin when he looked back up and met her eyes.I'm sorry.He muttered, softly.

Confusion filled Rosetta's eyes. "Sorry? For what?" she asked.

His face was gentle.I see how I frighten you. I don't want to make you feel like you should be scared of me.

Rosetta couldn't stop herself. She reached up and touched Sweeney's cheek gently. "I could never be afraid of you. I'm only afraid of what might happen if I let myself get to attached. [i]He[i] is still out there waiting for me. I don't know why he hasn't tried to kill me yet, but I do know that eventually he will. I don't stay in the same town for long because I can't stand the idea of making friends only to lose them when I move to keep him from finding me." she whispered, looking down and pulling her hand back.

He put two pale fingers under her chin and lifted her head up to look at him.Then you need somebody to help you. You won't be alone. I won't allow it. His free hand stroked her hair gently, ruffling the feather.

Rosetta's eyes filled with hope before she could hold it back. She knew she was falling for Sweeney and she couldn't help it. She looked away, but didn't pull back. "But who could ever want me?" she whispered, her eyes brimming with tears.

Sweeney didn't even think about it. He put his head down and brushed his lips lightly with hers.

Rosetta's green eyes snapped back to Sweeney and widened in surprise. She quickly got over her surprise and her eyes drifted close as she started to return the kiss.

His hand wrapped gently around her waist as he held back slightly, letting her take control.

Rosetta brought her hands up and laid them on his shoulders, leaning into the kiss.

He slid a pale hand around her waist, pulling her against him.

Rosetta wrapped her arms around Sweney's neck. She tilted her head to the side to deepen the kiss.

His torso, pressed against her, was not heavily muscled, but slim and lithe. His fingers combed through her hair gently.

Rosetta moaned into the kiss. Sweeney was the first person she'd kissed since her fiance.

He felt her moan and deepened the kiss, pushing her back into the wall.

Rosetta gasped when she felt her back touch the wall and broke the kiss, panicking. Old memories racing through her head. Her fiance's friends had shoved her against the wall when they had beaten her and it made her feel terrified when she couldn't get away.

When she pulled back he suddenly realised what he was doing. He gasped and stumbled back.

Rosetta's knees buckled and she collapsed on the floor, her breaths coming in quick gasps. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry." she whispered.

He rushed to her side. What for?

Rosetta didn't even look up at Sweeney's voice. Her eyes were distant and all she saw was the day she killed her fiance. She could still feel his friends fists against her skin and their hard kicks as they beat her against the wall. All she could hear were their drunken voices as they yelled curses at her. Then she saw her fiance falling backwards. She saw his head hit the table and then all she saw was blood. Her breathing was becoming panicked and shallow as if she couldn't get enough air. Her heart was pounding as she relived that day over and over and over again, tears runing down her face.

He quickly put his arms around her and held her. He tried to calm her down.

Rosetta gasped as she felt Sweeney's arms wrap around her and she was finally brought back out of her memories. She went limp in his arms and sobbed against his chest.