Tony noticed when Ainsley started popping up all around the sidewalks of Southside. It was his job to notice new faces, make sure that everyone was keeping their noses clean. He didn’t actually learn her name until he showed at the Gallagher house to drop off Frank, only to find the young woman helping Lip and Fiona haul a dryer up the porch into their house.

Over the next few months, he started seeing her more and more. Outside, basking in the sunlight at the park. Eating lunch at the quarterly community potluck at the church. She was a bit of a smart ass with a killer smirk and enough sass to put Fiona to shame, but she seemed like a good girl. Kind. Kept out of trouble. More than he could say for any of the Gallaghers.

He hated to admit it, but the girl was growing on him. Even his mother thought she was a pretty little thing. He found himself searching for her on patrols, thinking about her before he fell asleep at night, coming up with excuses to see her again.

Which is why he slowed to a crawl when he saw Ainsley walking the streets at nearly two in the morning.