Truncheon books was like home, even in the darkness of the night. I dragged my feet along the pavement towards the door, too tired to move with any speed after an awful night with Matt. I was a couple of yards from the door when I saw a pale figure shaking on the step, long brunette hair tangled over its face. "Erm hi?" I questioned, not sure what I should be saying, or if I should be saying anything at all.

"Jess" came the figures voice, a voice I could recognise anywhere. I felt a stab of pain, as if someone had punched me in the gut, and then I was running towards her. "Rory, oh God Ror, what's the matter?" I searched flinging the door open and bending down to carry her inside. She made no effort to get away from my help, which was unusual for miss independent Gilmore. I almost ran upstairs with her tiny frame limp in my arms, and laid her on my bed. "Please Ror" I begged, not loosening my hold on her "Please tell me what's wrong. I can make it go away, I promise you, I can make it better. She looked up at me and I instantly knew what she needed; who she needed. I didn't know who had done this to her, I didn't know why anyone would want to, but I knew she needed her dodger.

I woke up to whispered voices above my head, voices belonging to Matt and Chris.

"She's hot" commented Chris "Really hot"

"Chris" moaned Matt "She's with Jess"

"For a one night thing and then she's free again, you know Jess" Chris retorted. I tightened my hold on Rory, and opened my eyes.

"So who's this?" Chris asked eager to get to know this beauty.

"This is Rory" I spat, allowing my voice to be filled with possession and protection.

"The Rory?" both flatmates asked together

"Yes, my Rory" I confirmed, as the girl in question moved closer against me, also opening her sapphire eyes.

"Jess?" She croaked, with tears stains on her bruised cheeks

"Im here Ror"

"Hmm"

"Get out you two" I whispered, stroking Rory's hair as she slowly fell asleep again. "Go to sleep baby, I'll still be here"

Later the same morning I was sitting in the kitchen with my laptop, furiously typing up a new chapter which I had dreamt up whilst watching Rory sleep, my beautiful Rory. I threw my head back in annoyance with the wording and noticed her standing in the door way, wearing my shirt. "I ... I'm sorry" She stammered "I didn't have anything else and my clothes were dirty." She looked as if she had just admitted a dirty secret, staring at the floor, or the window, anywhere but me.

"It's ok" I promised, trying to find a way to fill the silence, trying to avoid the subject which would make her cry again.

"Come here" I suggested, holding my arms to let her sit on my lap. She slowly obliged, curling her knees into her chest as I wrapped my arms around her. For the first time she looked at me, with bloodshot, tired eyes and a shattered face, and placed a kiss on the corner of my mouth. She knew she had to say nothing to me, because her eyes gave it all away, the betrayal, the anger, the fright and most of all the pain. The pain was so great in her eyes it seemed to consume her frail body, causing it to be inescapable. I would help her, I had to help her.

"Rory, who did this?" I whispered, as her shaking began again. She stared at my tanned hand, covering her snow white one, trying not to look at my face. Her tears fell softly against my jeans, covering the material with intricate patterns.

"Im so sorry Jess, you shouldn't have to see me like this" she choked out between sobs.

"Ror, please tell me"

"I can't Jess, he'll hurt me again if you know"

"He?"

"Yes"

"Ror, he can't get to you, not now not ever, I'm here and I'm never leaving"

"It, it was ..."