Underestimated

Chapter 1

Feeling like you don't belong, that you aren't wanted and that there is no hope can leave a person feeling isolated, numb even. This was exactly how Ruth had felt for the last four years. Ever since her parents had died and she had been put into foster care she felt as though nothing mattered anymore.

She had no real family left and she didn't fit in with her new family either. She always felt out-of-place with them. She had no friends. She had no hope. Waking up every morning felt like a disappointment to her, life had become a chore. Life didn't show any signs of improving so at only fifteen years old Ruth decided that she was finally going to end her pain, end her loneliness, and end her life. She had been contemplating this for a while now but it just felt like now was the time.

As she descended the stairs leading to the door Ruth let a tears roll down her cheek. Her new family who had tried to welcome her into their family would never see her alive again. They would never get to say goodbye but she knew this was how it would have to be. She had to just go. She had to be free.

Before she knew it Ruth was standing atop an apartment building. All of a sudden time seemed to stand still. Everything slowed down. She felt as if she was dreaming. The rain began to pour down and soak through her clothes. The rain seemed to wash away any doubts that had crept into her mind. This was it, she would finally be free. She stretched her arms out to the side and threw her head back. Ruth took one last look at the stars above before she stepped forward of the ledge of the building.

But she didn't fall. Instead she had been pulled back from the ledge, pulled back onto the roof.

She began to sob violently as the person who had saved her held her close. It felt like hours had passed before Ruth finally stopped crying and looked at the person who had saved her. It was a man. Then she noticed the uniform, he was a cop. She immediately began to fight against him. She thought she was going to be in trouble.

"Calm down, I won't hurt you" He reassured. Ruth could tell from his eyes that he was sincere. She could tell from his face that he had been through a lot. He was young yet aged looking.

"It's ok you are safe now" He spoke softly to her as he stood up and held out his hand to help her, which Ruth took.

"I'm Ruth" She finally announced which earned her a smile from the officer.

"I'm Brian" He replied as he led her back down the stairwell and to his apartment door. Ruth felt her heart begin to race, he may have been a cop but she wasn't sure of his intentions. As he fished his keys out of his pocket Ruth began to slowly step back from him.

"Ruth, don't be afraid. I'm going to take you inside and get you something warm to drink. You must be freezing. Then if Olivia is up to it we will take you to the hospital to get you checked out ok?"

"Olivia?" Prompted Ruth.

"Olivia is my girlfriend. She is a cop too. Now come on in and let's get you warmed up." He explained as he opened the door and let her in.

As she entered she noticed a figure asleep on the sofa. 'That must be Olivia' she thought. Brian immediately boiled the kettle to make her something warm to drink. Then he disappeared into one of the bedrooms and came out with some clothes and a towel to dry herself of with.

"These are Olivia's clothes. They are probably a bit big but at least they are dry. Anyway the bathroom is down the hallway and to the right. Why don't you go get yourself dried off while I fix you up something warm to drink?" Brian directed Ruth down to the bathroom and then went to wake Olivia.

"Liv, baby, wake up" He said as he shook her shoulder gently. She jumped up immediately.

"What, what's going on Bri? Why are you home so early?" She asked as she looked at the time.

"I wanted to get home to make sure you were okay" He explained, "Liv I need your help. When I was on my way home I saw this girl ready to jump from the roof. She is ok I caught her before she fell. Anyways she is only a teenager, maybe fifteen years old and her name is Ruth. She is in the bathroom changing her clothes. She got soaked so I gave her a pair of your sweats and your old NYPD hoody." Olivia listened to Brian intensely. She couldn't help but smile. Over the past few months he had really grown up and the way in which he was handling the situation at hand showed just how much he had matured.

"Ok Bri I'm just going to get changed out of my pyjamas and then we can both talk to her when she comes back." Explained Olivia.

What had started as a quiet night was now turning into something that would affect both Brian and Olivia more than they would know.

So what do you guys think? This is my first Bensidy story so I want to know if you think I should continue or not. The whole 'Her Negotiation' episode and what happened will all be relieved.

Reviews are appreciated!