A/N: So this is my sequel to the one-shot my twinny, Rhiannon Leigh Black, wrote for me--Sometimes Goodbye is a Second Chance. The first line, in fact, is the last line of that one-shot. This will make sense without having read that story, but not too much.

I spent forever trying to think of a decent title. I eventually went with this one, which is from the song "Safe Ride" by Cute is What We Aim For. No, I am not creative enough to think of my own title. XD

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I'll Be Your Safe Ride Home

"…right now, I've got a four-eyed prick to dismember."

Leesie's green eyes widened at the deadly tone in John's voice, and the grin slipped off her face as she settled back into her seat. She stared at her hands anxiously, and then said the first thing that came to mind.

"He doesn't wear glasses any more."

As soon as she said it, she realized that probably wasn't the best thing to say to the man who had just volunteered to help her raise her child even though she had been far from angelic to him in the past. For a moment, she was afraid he might order her out of the car and tell her to walk after all. She could tell there was a part of him that wanted to respond with a biting retort, and she wouldn't have blamed him for it. But when he spoke, his hostility wasn't directed toward her.

"Well, then, I've got a formerly-four-eyed prick to dismember."

"John…I…you don't have to do that," she mumbled.

When he spoke, his voice was firm, but trembling with suppressed rage.

"Look, no one gets away with treating my girl like that. What could have happened to you if I hadn't been driving by? You're probably going to get sick…I can't just let it go. I can't."

"Please, John. Despite everything…I do love him. Or I thought I did, anyway. He's the father of my child, and…"

She noticed his sharp intake of breath and trailed off.

"I can't believe he spoke to you like that. That asshole… I never…"

"I know…" she said shakily. "But I keep thinking maybe I didn't--"

"Nothing you could have said would have helped. He was never going to leave his wife for you. He was using you, and you just couldn't see that. I won't let you blame yourself for this. You don't need that. Don't you dare blame yourself for the way he treated you. That was inexcusable and we both know it. You didn't deserve to be talked to like that. What he said to you…" he broke off, as the rage welling up in him prevented him from speaking any further, but recovered. "You did not deserve that. Don't ever think otherwise."

She nodded, took a breath, and spoke.

"I know we had our problems, John. I know I was…horrible to you…But I know you--"

"--would never even think about saying anything like that to you. And you know that."

"I never deserved you," she whispered.

"Don't," he insisted, looking over at her as they were stopped at a red light.

He took in her appearance, really looking at her for the first time since he'd picked her up. She was drenched, her clothes clinging to her body. The long brunette hair he loved so much was, quite frankly, a mess. Her arms were crossed in front of her stomach, almost as if she were protecting the life inside. She looked as if she'd been through Hell. And she had.

Inside, John was fuming, not at her, but at the man who had caused her so much pain. It didn't matter that she had broken his heart. He knew that she was suffering far more than she deserved. He realized that she was shivering uncontrollably, and he cursed himself for being so careless, for letting his anger distract him from what should have been most important to him--her well-being.

"I'm sorry," he said softly as he reached over to turn the heat on. "You should have said something."

"I had other things on my mind."

"Of course you did."

They fell silent as he continued driving, and both were lost in thought. Leesie was mentally running through her conversation with Mikey. John was still seething over the fact that My Chemical Romance's bassist had first suggested the mother of his child have an abortion, and had shortly thereafter left her stranded in the pouring rain.

"Is this it?"

She nodded, and he pulled into the parking garage. As soon as he parked, she opened the door and practically leapt from the vehicle. Once out, though, she stood frozen about a foot from the car. John emerged and walked around the car.

"I'm going to walk you up to your room. I don't like the thought of you being alone right now."

She didn't respond. He tilted his head so he could see her face. Tears were streaming down her cheeks. Without thinking twice, he closed the distance between them and wrapped his arms around her. She hugged him back, clinging to him as if he were the only thing keeping her from breaking down completely.

"That's it," he said decidedly. "I'm taking you upstairs and then I'm going to kick his ass. Where is he staying?"

She was unable to speak anything remotely coherent, but she pulled away and shook her head vehemently.

"Why are you trying to protect him?" he asked, unable to keep the twinge of annoyance from his voice.

"It's…it's not that," she said to his chest. "It's just…if you go, you'll probably end up getting yourself arrested, and…and then…I'll lose you again…and I can't…"

Her face crumpled.

"Shhh," he said soothingly, pulling her close again. "Okay…I won't go."

"Thanks," she managed.

They stood there until she had calmed down somewhat, and then he pulled away.

"There. Now let's get you to your room, and you can get some rest."

She nodded.

As they made their way to the suite Leesie was sharing with the rest of F4, a feeling of dread settled in the pit of her stomach. She loved her bandmates, but she didn't feel up to facing their questions, their concern, and their threats of violence. She couldn't bear the thought of their disappointment. Or the inevitable "I told you so."

At the same time, she feared asking John the question lingering on her lips. She wasn't sure if she wanted to hear the answer. So she settled instead for a different question, trying to prolong her time with her savior.

"Did you mean it?" she asked as they stepped into the elevator.

"Did I mean what?"

She took a deep breath.

"When you said you'd help me?" she winced, awaiting the reply.

"Of course I meant it," he answered instantly. "I love you. There's no way I'd be able to leave you to deal with this on your own. I want to help. I never say things I don't mean."

"You said you never wanted to see me again. You said--"

He gripped her shoulders, forcing her to look into his blue eyes.

"Well, I meant that then. But I don't now. You've been hurt enough tonight. I don't want to be responsible for causing you any more pain."

They stepped out of the elevator, and Leesie led the way to the suite. Part of her brain told her that what she was about to do would be incredibly stupid. But before her brain could intervene, her mouth, prodded by her heart, asked the question she'd been wanting to. She stopped walking twenty feet from their destination.

"Well good," she said, smirking wryly. "Because I was thinking…"

"Oh, no…" he said warily.

Her expression turned serious, her face pleading.

"John…I really, really don't want to face the girls tonight. I don't think I'd be able to handle that…"

"Then you'll stay with me," he said matter-of-factly.

She stared up at him, not bothering to conceal her astonishment.

"You'd do that for me?"

"Honestly?" he replied, looking slightly sheepish. "I wanted to offer anyway…but I wasn't sure if that would be a good idea. I just don't like the thought of you being out of my sight tonight. I took you in; it's my responsibility to make sure you're okay."

She smiled, touched, but admittedly off-guard by how selfless he was being.

"Okay, well…I'll have to grab my suitcase--"

"Some of your stuff is at the house. You won't need it."

"And the girls?"

"Wait here. I'll tell them you'll be with me and not to worry."

"Thank you."

She watched him walk down the hall to the room. She watched as he knocked, waited, and carried on a conversation she couldn't hear with Rynne. As she watched, KB came to the doorway with a duffel bag. Both women wore expressions of mingled sadness and rage. Leesie watched this all transpire. Because she was afraid, and far too exhausted, to think.

At last John rejoined her.

"They're worried, and they want to kill him, but I told them you'll be fine with me. Kaylah packed your sheet and some other stuff for you. I have to have you back by ten tomorrow, unless you're not feeling up to it--they can always make Ray fill in for you."

She nodded dumbly.

"Come on…let's go."

~*~

About two hours later, having showered and attempted to sleep, Leesie stepped into the living room wrapped in a blanket. John was sitting in the recliner, pretending to watch a movie, but in actuality immersed in his thoughts. He looked up immediately upon her entrance.

"What's wrong? Can I get you anything?"

"Why are you being so nice to me?" she questioned.

He stood and crossed the room to her.

"Because," he said matter-of-factly, "I love you."

He wiped a tear from her cheek with his thumb and kissed her forehead.

"I love you, too," she managed, before fresh tears welled up in her eyes. "I'm so sorry…"

"Let's not get into that right now. Don't beat yourself up over it…I can't stand to see you so upset. Please," he said earnestly.

"I can't not think about it…not when it's the reason you're sitting out here…not when it's the reason I'm terrified to ask you for things. I don't deserve anything you've done for me tonight, so I hate myself for wanting more from you…I shouldn't. I shouldn't have been cheating on you. I wouldn't be in this mess if I'd just appreciated you. I should just be happy you picked me up. And you've done so much for me. I don't deserve a second chance. I don't deserve--"

He cut her off with a kiss. It was brief, but when he pulled away, his expression was anything but angry.

"Yes, you hurt me. But if this is going to work, we're going to have to put that behind us. Now what is it you wanted to ask?"

"I…I can't sleep."

Without a word, he turned the television and lights off and walked back to the bedroom with her, where, five minutes later, she fell asleep in his arms.

Right where she should have been all along.