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Oh s**t... I was hoping he wouldn't notice. Or at least wouldn't say anything. Of course, given that I hadn't touched a single slice of pizza might have given of some hint of tension on my part. Caught red-handed, fortunately not literally this time, I could only sigh.

"Niko... It's... well they're..."

"Are you in trouble?" He asked with a worried voice. I smiled gently, shaking my head. If only it was that easy. But I couldn't get him to understand. And I didn't want him to know just how dark my soul had become.

"No, I'm not. Its... it's my job. There are bad people out there, and I... kill them." I'd have loved to have said "am one of them" but maybe... just maybe something in the way the boy looked at me kept me from saying it. His pretty brown eyes were wide, then he sat back, thinking about it.

Here goes. The one person I never wanted to lose, would find the truth out and be repulsed by me. No human in his right mind would stay within ten feet of a killer like me...

"I'm sorry." Such a small voice, but I heard it like thunder. And it scared me out of my wits. I could feel the blood drain from my face, and my fingers went numb. No matter what he says, I told myself, I will not cry. Not cry for the greatest tragedy in my life.

"I'm sorry you have to hurt people."

Why did this boy never cease to surprise me? I caught myself staring dumbstruck at little Niko, compassionate to the core. My mouth would have been hanging open if I weren't so self-conscious of my teeth.

"What?"

"I'm sorry you have to hurt people." he repeated. "Its not fair. People aren't supposed to hurt each other." He wasn't looking at me now, but out a window. His face was so sad, and llooked so distant. "People shouldn't have to die."

I could almost see his mother in his eyes. I got up from my side of the table and sat next to him. He didn't make a move, so I slowly put my arms around him. It must have broken his trance, because he turned and buried his face in my chest, quiet tears rolling down his cheeks. I could feel his heart beat against mine. How disgusting that there would even be the slightest urge to kill him. Disgusting.

"I love you Niko." I whispered, stroking his head. It was true. I didn't know what I would do if I lost him. He meant more to me than anyone, my little angel if such things existed away from heaven.

"You do?" he sniffed. I laughed softly and wiped the tears from his soft red face.

"You bet I do." I got an even tighter hug. "Nothing is gonna happen to you while I'm around. I won't miss a single visit. I'll take care of you, I swear it." I looked up and out the window into the darkness. It was getting lighter outside. We needed to go home, as much as we might hate to.

"Hey, Niko... its getting light, we have to go home now." I said quietly. Another sniff and he nodded. I paid for the food, thankful for Gabriel's generosity, and we left. Walking. Suddenly I had an idea. Damn you Rae why didn't you think of it earlier!?

"Niko-kun, I just might have a surprise for you someday soon."

"Really?" He asked, bouncing at my side.

"Oh yes, really. You just have to be good until then, ok?" We came up to the orphanage,walking around to the back so I could get him back to the roof unnoticed. There was still time, still time.

"Alright!" Grinning from ear to ear, he wiggled impatiently as we flew to the roof, and ran to the door to the stairs. He skidded to a halt in front of it, and waved. "I love you too Rae!" He yelled, and went inside.

I love you too... my heart soared higher than my wings could ever take me. Didn't mean my black wings wouldn't try to take me closer to heaven. Family, could he be like my family? I never had a brother. Or a mother or father or anything for that matter, but it didn't matter. I didn't want any, didn't need any. But Niko...

I must have been grinning ear to ear because I opened the door to Gabriel's house and Ryan looked at me strangely.