BEHIND HIS HAZEL EYES

DISCLAIMER

Inspired by Snfan's "Wishful Thinking". All characters are the property of NBC and their respective owners. I only own the plot. Takes place after the episode where Zack and Slater tried to pull a scam, and Belding pulled his own prank where he made them believe that they were going to jail because of it. I don't remember the ep, only that they both begged the officer not call their fathers. I also figured the Max catered to more than just high school kids since Mr. Belding seemed to show up there a lot, and Jeff worked there as an assistant manager and that Kelly would know the names of the customers. For this story, Zack and Kelly are together.

CHAPTER ONE: BAD NIGHT

Zack Morris kept his eyes shut and tried to focus on his girlfriend, Kelly Kapowski. All he had to do was think of her and he could pretend that it wasn't happening. That it was all a bad dream. Yeah, this was just a nightmare…and he'd wake up soon. A jolt of pain went through him, and he unconsciously let out a moan of pain. No, he thought shakily. He wasn't sure if he could take this again. He let out a few shallow breaths. He just---he just couldn't show the man that he was getting to him. He wouldn't give him that satisfaction. However, he couldn't help another groan that escaped his lips.

"Shut up," Derek Morris snarled, pinning his son to his bed. Zack shook. Why was this happening? Why couldn't he stop it? There was another burst of searing pain. Please. Please let it stop, he begged. He hated when his dad got like this. It was like the man was a totally different person. Think of Kelly, think of Kelly, think of Kelly, think of Kelly, he coached himself. Yes, Kelly. Sweet, shy, funny, loving Kelly. She was his saving grace…the only who kept him alive. If it hadn't been for her, Zack wasn't sure what he would've done by now. Finally, he felt a sudden loss weight. His father was finally done. There'd be no more tonight. Thank God, he thought to himself. He let out a gasping sigh.

"Go to sleep, brat," the man snapped, closing the door. Sleep? How could he sleep? He was in pain. Zack waited until he couldn't hear the footsteps anymore. Then, he leaned over the bed, and got his cell phone. He needed someone to talk to. He had to---he had to know it was all gonna be okay…that none of this was his fault. Quickly, he pressed the speed-dial.

"We're Here To Help Hotline," a man's voice announced.

"It's Z," he announced softly. A lump appeared in his throat and he cleared it. He had to---he had to stay calm.

"Z! Man, haven't heard from you in a while. Everything okay?" the man asked in concern. The boy smiled. He loved how this guy actually cared. He wasn't at all like his father. His father was a jerk. He was the whole reason he was calling these guys. He sniffled and swiped at the tears that were beginning to fall.

"No. Um…it---it was…really bad tonight. I just---I really need to talk," Zack said softly. Then, silent tears fell down his face.