Jer Bear's Sample Forum

[Xothe_jer_bearXo]

Liam smiled down at his friend and just shook his head. "Well don't ask me. I know nothing about them, I'm not sure how Mel walks around in them but she seems to do just fine." He was sure she didn't fall and walked slowly for her comfort, knowing that if he had walked at their normal pace, she would have struggled or tripped and he didn't want her doing that. He could tell she was already slightly embarrassed with what she was wearing plus the fact that she didn't know how to walk in heels, he was just grateful she wasn't wearing one like his cousin had a tendency to wear. It made a tremendous difference.

He could see the way people stared at them as they walked by. He was used to the way people often looked at him, whether he was alone or with his group of friends though he could tell Chelsea wasn't used to it. She wasn't used to this kind of attention, sure she got praise for her Quidditch skills but none had ever seen her like this. His breath had been taken away the moment she foot on those stairs, he had thought that there wasn't anything Chelsea could do that made him like her more but he had been wrong. Leave to her to be the one girl that could keep him on his toes, the one girl he could never have. Even if Chelsea somehow did up liking her, he wasn't worthy, probably never could be. Liam, of course, had said so much to Melanie and she had scolded him for it. He was thankful for his cousin, she had a good head on her shoulders and was always trying to keep him out of trouble. Most of the time it didn't work but hey what was he supposed to do? He could always count on her to help with whatever he needed, especially when it came to Chelsea.

At her words, he was brought out of his thoughts. "No, I haven't. Jeremy left me on my own after he finished dressing and then I had to find someone that would tie my tie for me." The compliment he received made him beam with pride and smiled down at her. "Thanks, Chels." Liam cleared his throat, "You look beautiful tonight." More beautiful than I could ever imagine, he thought to himself. He had always thought himself brave but his bravery was always tested when it came to him wanting to tell Chelsea on how felt about her.

[Xothe_jer_bearXo]

Mel watched Jeremy as he continued to watch the dance floor. More importantly Cassandra, she had never seen what he saw in the girl, honestly and that wasn't jealousy talking, well just a little bit. It seemed like Cassandra knew of the feelings Jeremy had for her and yet ignored him. She also knew there was some history between the two but she didn't what and quite frankly she didn't really care. She met his gaze and smiled at him. "Nope." Never. She knew he didn't know why the others bothered with him but since they had all started hanging out, there had been something that drew her to him, like a moth to the flame. Melanie was aware that she would probably get her heart broken at some point in time by him, but at the moment she didn't care. All she wanted was to dance with him, to know that she had been the first one during the night to do so. It was probably selfish of her but she didn't care, was way past the point of caring.

When he extended his hand to her, she took it and followed him to the dance floor, aware of the looks they would no doubt be getting. Mel was glad the frown that had been upon his face moments ago was gone but she wished he would smile, at least once. At his question, she shrugged. "You're housemates with my cousin. I figured you'd know where he would be. Chelsea on the other hand, last time I checked she was still with her sisters, getting ready." As he twirled her around the room she was very much surprised at how well he could dance. She looked up at him, smiling, "How come every time I see you, you don't look happy?"

[Xothe_jer_bearXo]

Melanie knew what Jeremy was up to, knew that he didn't care to much for crowds, or liked being the center of attention. She, on the other hand, was used to it. IT had come easy to her, at an early age most of coming from her mother and the extravagant parties that were held at their house. Her mother would always dress her up to show her off and always say that it was Melanie's duty to the family, like she cared about duty when she was seven years old but she had always been eager to please her mother and father. She had been the well behaved child, the one with a good grades and an charmer, most of the time she knew how to get what she wanted except for when it came to Jeremy Cole. She wanted him, wanted him to look at her, like he looked at Cassandra but when it came to love the rules where different and she wasn't going to force herself on him or follow him around like a lost puppy.

At the mention of Liam having trouble with his tie, she laughed. She couldn't believe that after all these years he still hadn't learned, especially since when her aunt had found out that he had been using a clip on tie, she had sent a screamer in the mail. It was hilarious to her but it had also been embarrassing for her cousin. "Honestly, it doesn't surprise me. How he's managed all these years is beyond me." She could remember the countless times she had to help him in the past. She felt sympathy for Chelsea. "Yeah, I tried to help and sneak her away but her sisters got to her before I did and then turned on me. There wasn't much I could do." AS they spun around the room she tried to look for their two friends but by being in the middle of dance floor was kind of hard to do.

Mel frowned at Jeremy, "Well there's lots of things to be happy about. Any number of things, really." She was one of those girls that always smiled even when something wrong, it let others know that no matter what was going on in her life, good or not, it wasn't going to bring her down. She wouldn't let it and it always left people wondering why she was smiling. "Because it's better to let people know that no matter what I'm not going to let anything bring me down." Her eyes met his gaze and lingered there for a while, when he leaned in and whispered to her, her heart stopped beating. Jeremy had never complimented her before, never like that anyway and before she had a chance to respond, he spun on her. When she was once more in front of him, she blushed and then collected herself. "I'm not sure if Liam has talked to yet about your plans for winter break but our parents are going on vacation and we weren't invited so you're more than welcome to come back with us and stay."

[Xothe_jer_bearXo]

The conundrum of why girls like to wear those silly things was beyond him and he knew that there was no why the male species would ever figure out why women did the things they did. He had asked Melanie several times why she wore half the things she owned and his cousin had just shook her head at him and laughed, "You wouldn't understand, Liam." "Try me." Was all that he had said. Mel had stood there for a bit, biting her bottom lip before rolling her eyes and giving in. "I wear the things I do because people, guys in general, notice it." He still hadn't understood, "People notice you all the time Mel." That apparently hadn't been the right thing to say and his cousin had huffed and went back to what she was doing.

Liam looked at Chelsea, "I didn't have to bribe anyone, Chels. It offends me that you would think of me like that." Then he winked at her, "Nah, I'm just kidding. Professor Holland was nice enough to fix it for me." When he looked over at her again, as he led her into the ballroom, he noticed the blush that had crept onto her face. He mentally cursed himself, he hadn't been thinking when he had complimented her and was instantly reminded of fifth year when word had gotten to her that he had a crush on her. He had found the person who had told her, backtracked all the way down where the source originated and scared all who where involved that if they opened their mouth and his name, along with Chelsea's, came out he'd beat them senseless. They hadn't talked for a month and Chelsea had avoided him like the plague until he had gotten Mel to reassure the girl that it wasn't true.

At her question he shook his head, "Not really, they could be anywhere." Then an idea struck him, it would be easier if they were on the dance floor but he was sure Chelsea would never agree to it. "Then again it could be much easier to find them if we were on the dance floor." He held out his hand to her, waiting for her to take it.

[Xothe_jer_bearXo]

To say that she didn't like how close she was to Jeremy, how she liked being in his arms, would be an understatement and at the very least a lie and if Melanie Winters was one thing, she was most definitely not a liar. Or she at least tried not to be, if she was as bold as she wished or as thought she was, she would've already kissed him or at least tried to. Instead, she allowed him to lead her around the dance floor, spinning this way and that, a smile on her face, one that would remain there for a long time. Her hand rested comfortably in his, like it was meant to be there, while the other remained on his shoulder, this was a more magical night than she ever thought and the snow that fell from the ceiling made it even more so. She liked how his eyes never left hers and wanted them to stay there for as long as they could. At his question she just shrugged, "I don't imagine staying here would be any fun, do you? At least at my place we have the place to ourselves and no rules, no adults. The fun we could have would be endless."

Of course, she was baiting him to come home with her for break, even after he said he could but she wanted to make sure that was what he wanted, "Though if you want to stay here that's fine. I don't want you to feel pressured to come but you are more than welcome to." She didn't want him to feel like he had to just because she had asked. Mel had hoped that Liam had asked that way it wouldn't have been as weird or maybe as awkward but as usual Melanie had to step up to the plate and ask but who knows maybe this opened the doorway to the two of them, mainly Jeremy, being more comfortable around each other. She wasn't sure how Jeremy felt towards her, if they were actually friends or if she was just Liam's cousin or a means to end so he could win Cassandra over but really she didn't care, she knew she should've but each time she was around him was pure bliss even if half the time the boy was a sourpuss.

If he did come home with her and Liam for break she would try to do everything she could to make him happy, to make sure he had a great time and would try her best to make sure he would smile more. She knew she would have her work cut out but for the boy she was dancing with it was worth it.

[Xothe_jer_bearXo]

He could see the hesitation on her face, the way she kind of shrank back, it wouldn't have been noticeable to anyone else. Liam watched as Chelsea seemed to think about it and then place her hand in his and walked onto the dance floor with him. The Slytherin boy had to remain calm despite how much he wanted to grin like a fool. This was like a dream come true as he twirled Chelsea around, proudly showing her off, as if she was his. He saw that people were watching but for him it was nothing knew, he used to it since it came with his last name and who he was, though he knew Chelsea wasn't used to it. He wished she didn't shy away from attention like this, couldn't take a compliment because she thought she didn't deserve it but she did. She deserved every little compliment he gave to her, all the things he wanted to say to her but trying to get Chelsea to notice him was hard to do, at least for her to notice him as something more than a friend or another brother figure.

And speaking of brother's, he wasn't sure what Michael, Chelsea's older brother, would say to him if he saw them right now. He'd probably commend him for it because he at least trusted Chelsea with Liam but what about if he knew that the younger boy liked his sister? He tried not to think of it knowing that he had filled the role of a brother to Melanie and she a sister, since he was six days older than her and since they had no other siblings. They had practically grown up together, always at each others houses, they were more than cousins. Since Liam had been the older brother, he had been protective of her, especially when it came to her dating so he could only imagine what it would be like for Michael, especially since he had younger sisters.

He laughed at Chelsea's statement, "Yeah, it kinda is but easier I suppose." Liam took a moment before leaning in close, "Then again I'd rather be on the field than here dressed up in a monkey suit." He didn't use that term very often since he knew his mother hated it when he called it a monkey suit. Liam's eyebrows rose as he shrugged, "Well, I do think it would be interesting, wouldn't you? The two rival houses producing a couple. I'm sure it would go down in history."

[Xothe_jer_bearXo]

The girl had gotten so worked up with her excitement of the upcoming holiday that she hadn't seen the smile that was on his face. It didn't help that he said he could only imagine the trouble she could get into, she didn't make it a habit of getting into trouble often, no that would cause problems for her parents and would reflect badly on them or the image their family had. She had never understood it, never understood the way her parents had drove her to make sure she knew the proper things to say and the proper way to act. It was like she was a robot for them, not a teenager. As much as Melanie loved her parents and tried to be the young lady they wanted her to be, at times she couldn't help it but let loose and have some fun. Most of the time when she was caught doing something she shouldn't have been doing it was because Liam had talked her into doing it.

Not that the blame solely rested on her cousin since she listened but he had understood her need to be free. Since their mothers were sisters, their upbringing wasn't that different except for the fact that Liam's father had also had an interest in his son's lessons. Melanie let out a laugh, "Yeah, no thanks to Liam." She saw the look on his face, it was one she had seen many times, her eyebrows lifted up and then she frowned. She hadn't been prepared for that question, wasn't it obvious that she wanted him to come? Or at least wanted him? Without warning and before she was able to give him an answer he sent her flying away, resulting in a soft gasp to escape from her lips, before pulling her in once more. Her green eyes looked up into his before she whispered, "No, I want you to come."

The song changed to a slower one as their gazes were still locked and then he grabbed her hand and lead her off the dance floor; a frown was once more on her lips, no thanks to the other boys tone. As the stood to the side, her green eyes watched the dance floor, keeping an eye out for her cousin and best friend. She stood there, trying to keep her wits about her as she so very much wanted to go off on the boy next to her. Jeremy spoke and she only huffed in agreement, as her eyes settled on the pair. She had to admit that Chelsea's sisters had done a good job and that her cousin had managed to pull it together. The two looked great together and she just wished Liam would speak up and tell Chelsea or that Chelsea would open up her eyes and see that Liam had feelings for her but she knew, for now, that it was a lost cause. She had offered to help Liam but her cousin had made her swear not to get involved or say a word which was then followed by an empty threat. Reluctantly she had agreed and left him to fend for himself.

At Jeremy's offer she merely nodded and followed him to the table. Mel accepted the cup and raised it to his. "A different kind of Christmas." Indeed. The girl grimaced as she tasted the punch. Whoever had spiked it obviously wasn't good at it or the job was done hastily, either way it tasted horrible and she was sure everyone would be somehow affected by the alcohol. The brunette drained the contents of the paper cup, then gave Jeremy a small smile, "If you'll excuse me, I need some air." The words were formal and clipped as she left Jeremy at the table and exited the room but not before catching her cousins eye and the frown that was on his face as he watched her leave.

[Xothe_jer_bearXo]

As Liam twirled Chelsea around the dance floor he couldn't help but fall for her even more. The way she laughed, the way she smiled, the way she looked, she took his breath away with everything she did. He thought watching her play quidditch was fascinating but this, this was something else altogether. He had never been tongue tied around the ladies. In fact, it seemed he could never get rid of them, something his cousin teased him about endlessly but when it came to Chels, there was something about her that made him look like an idiot. There was that laughter again, just spilling out like it couldn't contain itself, his heart melted, he was sure he was smiling a fool and everyone would know it to, except for the girl he was dancing with. "Maybe a little bit of both, I would assume."

The blonde smiled at her, she would never be a lost cause, not to him. "You a lost cause? I'm sure you'll come around eventually." He then pulled her closer to whisper in her ear, "Besides I prefer a girl who likes jeans, tennis shoes and doesn't mind getting dirty with the boys." He then spun her away from him, watching as the lights and snow glittered around her. His joy was cut short as he watched Melanie leave the room in a rush, his eyes followed the trail back to the source. Jeremey was standing at the table, completely oblivious as to what had happened. The boys eyes met his and the look on Liam's face told his friend that he had better fix what ever had happened with Mel. Jeremy merely shrugged before going after the girl.

Liam had a scowl on his face as he tugged Chelsea back into his arms, a scowl that he quickly replaced with a smile. "How about we get some punch? I'm sure someone has spiked it by now. It'll give everyone time to go about their business other than gawking at us."

[Xothe_jer_bearXo]

Andy had been in the back looking for the parts he would need to fix the next few cars and with the country music blaring through the speakers to drone out the sound of the tools being used he hadn't heard his phone ring or anyone call out for him. After not being able to find what he needed to he headed back through the doors of the office, surprised to see Tucker and Mary Beth. He wiped his greasy hands on a rag hanging from his pocket, "Hey guys. Good how are y'all doing this morning?" He carefully examined each of the Carlsons, but not to long. He hadn't seen Tucker much over the last year and he totally understood the transition from being in the military back to life as a civilian, each had gone through different hardships and had seen plenty of nasty things.

At Tucker's question, Andy nodded. "Yeah but the earliest I can it back to you would be tomorrow, noon at the earliest. Pa had to drive down to Charleston to get some things and since I'll be working here by myself it'll take awhile. I'm already backed up but I'll try to get it done as soon as I can for ya." No sooner had he finished his sentence did the door open and his name filled the air. He looked past Tucker to see his cousin Charlie, at first he was confused as to why she was angry, he knew that tone in her voice and then it clicked. She had seen Tucker's truck in the parking lot and it didn't take much to put two and two together. She thought Tucker had been the surprise, ha, for the moment he would let her think what she liked. "Hey, cuz, good to see ya to. I'll get the papers for ya Tucker." He looked at Mary Beth, praying that she would come with and as he turned he heard her follow. Good, it was time Tucker finally faced Charlie.

After yelling for Andy, Charlie realized she hadn't needed to and stopped dead in her tracks and wiped the glare off of her face. Her green eyes took in Tucker's body, he looked good, maybe a little tired but none worse for the wear at least that was what was on the outside. She smiled at Mary Beth and waved. "Hey, Tuck. It's good to see ya." The urge to run over and hug him was strong but she refrained from doing so, not knowing how he would react. It was hard to stop doing some things that were so ingrained in her system and so she opted for putting her hands in her pockets. God, she had missed him and she drank him in. "How have ya been?" It had been a year since he'd been back and they were still tip toeing around each other. How much longer would it take for things to go back to normal for them, or just for them to stop acting like strangers?

[Xothe_jer_bearXo]

Andy flopped down in the chair behind his desk. He nodded his head at Mary Beth's words. "Yeah, they sure do. I can't belive it's been a year. I thought they would've done patched things up." He watched as the younger girl climbed up onto one of the stools and began spinning around. It had been a while since Andy had seen the girl, he had been to used to seeing her all the time while they were growing up. He had practically spent most his time at the Carlson growing up just as he did at Charlie's place. Mary Beth had been the annoying little kid sister when they were teens only due to the age gap between them but he had watched her grow up and had even helped out at the Carlson house while Tucker was away.

He couldn't help but suppress the thought of Mary Beth being a pretty girl. He would never say that out loud of course, knowing what Tucker would do to him if he ever found out that one of his friends had a crush on his little sister. Heck, he would do the same for his sister. "I've been good, busy but good. What about you? Glad to be home for the summer?" Andy looked past Mary Beth to the lobby, only to frown at what he saw Charlie and Tucker were still feet apart and shook his head.

Yeah? Yeah? Was the only thing he had to say? She refrained from rolling her eyes, Charlie knew TUcker wasn't one for being good with words or expressing what he felt but excepted more from him, since she was his best friend or at least used to be. She hadn't thought that things would be different between them and when things turned out this way she had thought it wouldn't take them long to go back to the way things were but now she knew differently. The brunette knew exactly what Tucker was up to, it was clear. He was pushing her away and she didn't like it one bit. Her eyebrows rose and she smiled at him, "Well, that's good to hear." At his question, she shrugged his shoulders as she moved closer to him,
"Good, I guess." She would've been better if it wasn't for the fact she felt like she was losing him.

It's been a while? Wow, he really was on a roll today. She had to suppress the laughter that wanted to escape her lips. "Yeah, it has been. It's really good to see you." Charlie saw the look on her friends face and it broke her heart, not able to stand it any longer, she moved closer to Tucker and wrapped her arms around his neck, hugging him. Tears formed in her eyes and she choked back a sob. "You have no idea how good it is to see you."

Bleh, so it's not the greatest, since I had to rush it out.

[Xothe_jer_bearXo]

Andy smiled at Mary Beth, "I just hope they fix whatever is going on soon. I don't think I can handle much more Charlie and her workaholic attitude. She hasn't been the same since he came back, she's been distant. It's not like her." The smile that was on his face turned into a frown, Charlie had always been a busy girl but she had been happy, cheerful and bubbly. She had always been the one to get into something and to drag her friends out, much like she had to do with Tucker when they were in high school. When Tucker had left for the Army, she had been a little withdrawn, maybe a bit mopey but after she received his first letter she had returned to her usual self. He had always picked on Charlie for her vivacious attitude and now he'd rather have the lively Charlie then the distant one.

He shrugged, "Eh, it's okay, more grueling hours here but it is better than nothing." Andy was surprised, Mary Beth had always seem eager to get out of Reevesville, so hearing that she was glad to be back was something he never would've thought of. "Yeah, getting used to the 'outside world' is a little hard but I'm glad you're back." The wink along with the comment made him grin as he looked at the younger girl. "Well that's cause all us gentlemen stay here."


When Tuckers arms wrapped around her, Charlie couldn't help but smile. It took all she had to not start crying, she didn't want to look like the mess she was on the inside. She hugged him tighter, her eyes shut closed, she was afraid to open them, afraid if she did it would all be a dream and they'd be back at square one. The hug said more than what his words could've said and she knew that they'd be okay, it might take them sometime to get back to how things used to be but they were still best friends and would always be there for each other. At his apology, Charlie shook her head, "It's okay. I understand." She understood that he needed the time, she just never thought it would take this long, but in reality she would've waited as long as it took for him to come back to her.

With Tucker's hug, her feet had been lifted off the floor and she wanted to stay wrapped up in his arms forever, she had never been able to tell him how she had really felt, that she loved him, always had and probably always would but something had held her back from telling him. "I missed you so much, Tucker." She couldn't tell him that it had been hell not being able to see him, not being able to talk to him. They had said few words to each other since he had been back but they were more of a check-up conversation, just seeing how each other was doing and that was it. Not being able to handle the pain, she dove head first into any work she could find. First, helping out on the ranch with the horses and then picking up shifts at her aunt's diner when they needed her. Over the past year she hadn't been herself and she knew that and was reminded of it by her parents, Andy, Uncle Nick and Aunty Rachel almost everyday. It had frustrated her to no end but she just didn't know how to cope with it.

Tucker had set her back on her feet and she wiped the tears that had started to fall away. "Lunch... lunch would be nice." Charlie smiled up at him, "But what about Mary Beth? You gonna let her take your truck? I could take you home afterwards, it wouldn't be a problem."

[Xothe_jer_bearXo]

Andy studied the girl as she talked. He realized she had definitely changed over the course of the year, then of course he had noticed when she had first started changing, from the weird teenage years to the young woman she had become but something was different. Had the year she spent away up north really changed her that much? She seemed to be appreciating the way things were down here. It was always hard growing up in a small town and then moving away to the outside world. They did things differently and when you left it was noticeable. Andy was just glad Mary Beth hadn't become a city girl.

The young man laughed, "Ain't that the truth?" He pondered the thought for the moment, saw an image of himself and a few of his friends, walking the streets of the college that Mary Beth went to. He was sure that heads would've turned from both women and men alike but he just shook his head, "While it does seem nice, I don't think that college of yours could handle me or any of the guys really." He smiled at her then, "But if you do need anything when you go back, just call and I'll be there." He wasn't sure why he had said that but there was something about Mary Beth, something he couldn't put his finger on, something that drew him to her.

Andy was just about to say something else when Tucker stuck his head in. Ah, finally those two were going to go out and do something. He knew he'd get the details from Charlie later and he was already happy for her. He stole a quick glance out the window at Charlie, he could already see her smiling, it would be good for the two of them to get some alone time. At the sound of his name Andy looked at Tucker and nodded. He stood from his seat and handed Tucker the papers and a pen. "I'll give ya a call as soon as she's done."

[Xothe_jer_bearXo]

Charlie watched from the waiting area as Tucker went in and talked to Andy. She hadn't been paying much attention to what was going on in the back room with Mary Beth and Andy, she had just hoped Andy wasn't being atrocious to the girl. She had always viewed Mary Beth as a little sister so she knew Andy knew that if he said or did anything she knock him upside the head. Though the look on Tucker's face as he walked out was different, though she couldn't place it and she just smiled at him. She waved bye to her cousin and Mary Beth. The two were quiet as they walked to her truck, memories floated into her head as she slid into her seat and started it.

She laughed, "Good, I was a little bit worried about her going back there. You know how Andy can be at times but then again I think he probably knew better with the two of us being there." Charlie looked over at her friend, "I can imagine it. She's always been sort of a wild one, and she was restless here. Plus she's still that little girl in pigtails to us even though she's in her first year at college." The young woman pulled into a parking spot, already seeing her aunts car in it's usual parked spot, she already knew what her aunt would say as soon as she sat down in the booth, she just hoped the woman had enough common sense not to say anything to her, at least not in front of Tucker. She'd be mortified if he knew that all she had done was mope around and work her butt off since he'd been home, in order to get him off her mind. "Well Aunt Rachel will be happy to see you but don't let her talk too much or get inside your head, you know how she can be at times."

Charlie turned the truck off and hopped out, leading the way inside the diner. The bell over the door rang as she opened it. Not many people were here and she didn't see her aunt, meaning she was probably in the kitchen somewhere, although she did hear her voice call out, "Be with y'all in just a sec, take a seat wherever you like!" Charlie shook her head and made her way over to the booth that she had sat in so many times growing up. During high school it become their booth, it was off in the corner, kind of secluded from the others where they wouldn't have been a problem to the other patrons.

---------------------------------

Andy laughed at Mary Beth's words, "You and me both." He turned around and put Tucker's paperwork away in the files. He hoped that this meant the two would finally work everything out or at least get most of the problems fixed. He hadn't known what to do with the two and from the looks of it neither had Mary Beth but he knew if this didn't work out he had a partner in crime to help him help the two get on the right road. "If this doesn't work out the way it needs to, then the two of us are gonna have to put our heads together and help them out."

He had turned around just in time to see Mary Beth's hair bounce and the way the light shone on it, it had took his breath away. He couldn't exactly pinpoint the time in when he stopped looking at her like a little sister and like the grown woman she had become. "Well, if you don't wanna leave. You can stay here. I'm not sure what you can do but you're more than welcome to stay."

[Xothe_jer_bearXo]

Wearing

She didn't know how long they sat there all she knew was the longer they did the fear was making it's way back into her mind. What if they were really going to kill her and they had just made it seem like they were returning her to Toni? But if that was true then why put on a show? As the seconds ticked by she just wished whatever was supposed to be happening would happen. A door opened causing her to shiver as the cold air blew across her skin, her blindfold was removed and she was being pulled from the car. It took her awhile to get her bearings straight as she was half-lead to Rosabella, the trade-off was happening. She could see Toni in her peripheral vision but she reused to look at him, knowing if she did she'd run right to him, like she wanted to. Instead, she kept her gaze at the car door, she knew he was watching but she couldn't look. The guard who was handling her came to her hard stop, she heard words being exchanged between Toni and Rosabella but she wasn't focusing on them.

All she could concentrate on was getting home, she never felt so much joy at that thought. In a few moments she'd be on her way home, to her nice warm, comfy bed and a nice, warm, home cooked meal. She could all but hear Mama Moretti fretting about the house, it almost made her smile. Silence had fallen and the hand that had been on her arm fell away, she took that as a sign and made her way to the suv, the door opened and she slid in, she wasn't sure who sat next to her and she didn't care as she continued to look out the window. There was no conversation the entire ride home, despite the feeling that it took hours to get there. When the car pulled up in front of the house it seemed as if everyone was there to greet her but the most important one was the woman with graying hair pulled back from her face, the first person to make her way over to Lex. Alex knew from the moment she was little Mama Moretti was a special woman, she had filled the role of mother when Lex had no one, not even her grandmother had been able to fill those shoes but this woman had without even being asked; an act she'd never be able to repay. Everything was a blur was she was ushered inside and up to her room.

The inside of her room seemed foreign to her just like it had all those years ago when the Moretti's had adopted her. It was just as frightening now as it was when she was sixteen, to many emotions ran through body, to many for her to cope with at once. She had only a moment to shed her dress, it would have to be thrown away, with help from Mama, and climbed into her bed before the doctor came in to look her over. She would've loved to had taken a bath, to actually wash up for good, to wash away everything that had happened but this came first. She was given instructions for plenty of bed rest and then the pain started all over again. It wasn't intense and didn't come close to what her torturer did to her but with Dr. Carter touching her wounds the memories resurfaced and it was like she was taken back in time. It took two men to hold her down as the doctor cleaned her gunshot wound and stitched it back up. After what seemed like hours it all finally stopped, she was given antibiotics and pain pills, the group left and the door shut.

Less than a minute passed and the door opened again, she didn't have to open her eyes to know who it was. She could feel his presence in the room, she watched as he walked over to the bed and looked her over, her name came out in a whisper but she laid there waiting for him to speak and then it came in true Antonio fashion, don't you dare do anything that stupid again, blame it on her. She wanted to smack him, she wanted to throw something at him and so she did just that. She took one of the pillows next to her and threw it at him. "You think I wanted this to happen?! To get caught?! To get tortured?! You have no idea, no idea, what I went through, to protect you, to protect the family and yet you stand there accusing me like I planned this! Damn you, Toni!" Alex had told herself she wasn't going to cry but she couldn't hold them back. Alex was tired of lying to everyone, tired of acting like she was strong but she couldn't lie to herself and she couldn't lie to Toni. She was scared and broken like an old toy. She was no longer invincible like she thought she was. She had been to naïve.

Alex wiped away the tears as she sniffled and then looked Toni over. He looked just as bad as she did and Lex knew he probably felt just as bad if not worse. She wished she could smile at him but knew it would be impossible. It would be a long time before she could bring herself to smile. "I don't want to fight, Toni, I really don't." The redhead scooted over to make room on her bed for him, how many times had she cried in front of him over some boy and he'd just lay there and hold her, telling her how he'd make the guy pay for making her cry? That's the Toni Moretti she wanted, not the one who stood by her bed seeming as if he was a million miles away fighting his own ghosts.

[Xothe_jer_bearXo]

Wearing

Toni had stood there, taking each word she threw at him, he didn't even attempt to catch or the block the pillow as it went flying at his face. His usual would've caught, maybe even thrown back at her or at least thrown back on the bed. Instead, it hit him on the face and then fell to the floor. He hadn't screamed at her or yelled at her, like she thought he would've despite her saying she didn't want to fight. How many times had she told him she hadn't wanted to fight with him and yet it was exactly what they had done. She had seen the haunted look in his eyes earlier at the docks when there eyes had met, she knew while she had been gone, it must of been torture for him but she didn't know exactly how bad it had hurt him. The bed moved as he joined her and he pulled her close, she laid her head on his chest, wondering what was in store for them now. She still remembered the fevered kiss he had given her before they had gone into the DeLuca warehouse but with the past week, she knew it was a setback and she would never get to be with him now.

If Toni had kept her at arms length after he had returned from college, surely as soon as she was better he would ship her off but not without a fight. Alex was never going to stop fighting for him, for them, besides after all someone had to. "Toni, I don't blame you and I'm not angry with you either. I don't hold what happened to me against you either. I know you did the best you could. It was no one's fault. It was poorly thought out plan and it wasn't executed well either." She raised her head to look in his green eyes, "Don't beat yourself up for what happened. I'm.... fine or at least I will be. I'm home and I'm safe here." With you, was what she didn't say. She took a deep breath and she found herself saying something she never thought she would say, "Just don't go out looking for a fight or planning revenge, at least not right now." As she sat there looking at him she found herself wanting to tell him what had been done to her, how Rosa had taken delight in her screams, how all she could think about was getting back home to him.

Lex's green eyes roamed around the room looking anywhere but at Toni, she was hesitant but she knew if she didn't tell someone it would eat her up and she'd never move past it. She could remember her grandma telling her if she talked about things it gave whatever was bothering or haunting her no more power to hurt her. She had said fear was terrible but powerful thing. The nightmares Lex had had when she was little were nothing more than unpleasant memories, and when she talked about them with her grandma she no longer had feared them. Her fingers clutched at her blanket as she talked in a whisper. "The things they did to me... the pleasure that Rosa took out of it, it...it was like being an horror film and not being able to stop it. They tied me to a chair and water boarded me, they asked questions, about Alessandra, the weapons, our warehouses, anything they thought would help them. I tried to hold out as long as I could but each time it felt as if I was dying. They put me in a box, where I couldn't sit or stand, and played something of someone or something screaming. It was like my nightmares all over again."

At some point while she had begun talking she had felt the tears fall down her face and she once again wiped them away. Her eyes lifted to Toni's, searching his, "So, no, Toni I don't blame you." Before he could answer, before he could do anything at all she leaned forward and captured his lips with hers. Lex had wanted to kiss him from the moment she had seen him at the docks. She had been foolish to think their plan would've gotten them anywhere. After Toni had kissed her in the car, she should've told him to take them home, knowing he would've been happy to but as always the job came first.