She still wasn't getting the fact that Goose cared about her as a person. That was evident in her reactions. On a positive note, she was starting to think for herself again. He wondered how long it had been before she had cared about herself beyond just avoiding punishment. It was also more difficult to cure someone already brainwashed than to brainwash someone to begin with. Obviously, she couldn't see that the bastard had already brainwashed her into thinking she wasn't worth any human emotion. Goose cursed when he realized his error. This was going to require some smooth talking to patch things over. How could he use the truth and yet hide it at the same time?<br/><br/>"I haven't always been this way, Beautiful," he told her calmly as he moved off the blanket so she could cover up if she wished. "Let me just say that I've been watching you from a distance. I was too chicken to come to you and tell you how I really felt back then. Just as I was about to get the courage to do so, shit went down and I got sent away. I finally did my time and made my way back here. What I want to do is to protect and care for you.That bastard you call a father is only using you because I bet he is too lazy to do shit himself. When you didn't go to school the day after he broke your arm and collar bone was very hard on me. I dragged through school and ignored the world more than usual. I couldn't cry because then questions would have been asked that would have made things even more difficult. I'm no longer that scared boy and I will do everything I can to make sure you are safe."