Chapter 2

Kristina woke up the next morning still in the hospital bed. She slowly opened her eyes, and quickly noticed that her right eye was able to open a little more, but she had blurry vision. She sighed, the realization of everything hitting her hard. It wasn't just a dream she was going to be able to wake up from. She looked around the room, her heart skipping a beat when she saw who was sitting in the chair next to her, head leaned back and eyes closed. It was Ethan. She shifted slowly in bed, causing his eyes to open quickly. She locked eyes with him, and her heart continued to pound harder.

"Good Morning sweetheart," Ethan spoke, his voice softer then it had been during their conversation last night. She tried to smile weakly, her fingers playing aimlessly with the sheet.

"Hi," she finally whispered, her voice shaky. She wanted to ask what he was doing here, but didn't want to get him angry like he was yesterday. She didn't want anyone to be angry with her. "Where's my mom and dad?"

"Alexis was called in for an emergency meeting for your dads case, and Sonny had some business to take care of. I asked if I could sit with you, in case you woke up before they got back," he told her, scooting closer to the bed. "Can I get you anything, water? Something to eat?" Ethan studied her bruised face, wishing so badly he could erase the marks.

"Uhm, no… I'm okay," she replied trying to fight back the tears that were coming to her eyes lid. She didn't want to cry anymore, but it was still built up inside of her. Every mark on her body had it's own story and she wanted Ethan to understand why she wasn't strong enough to out Keifer.

"Whatever it is your thinking about, stop. You are far to beautiful to cry Krissy," Ethan whispered, brushing hair from her wet cheeks.

"Ethan, I'm so sorry," she cried, the tears speeding up. He sighed, placing his hand behind her head and pulling her into his chest, gently placing her face against his body. "Please forgive me, I'm sorry," she continued to sob.

"You have nothing to be sorry for, Love." Ethan rubbed her back softly, trying to calm her down.

"I should have never thought you'd actually have feelings for me. I should have just left you and your date alone. I should have never asked Keifer to buy me that sexy dress. If I would have just played by the rules, this wouldn't have happened," she sobbed. Ethan shook his head, pulling away.

"Krissy, you did nothing wrong. I shouldn't have reacted the way I did at the Haunted Star, that was immature of me. And Keifer might not have attacked you this time, but what about next time? He's an animal and this was bound to happen, no matter what you did," he whispered, rubbing her arm. "I'm sorry I didn't see that, and protect you from him better"

Kristina looked away, unable to stop the tears. "I wish I was strong enough to tell the truth," she told him.

"You are strong enough, you just need a little time to realize how strong you really are." He moved his hand to her back, and softly rubbed it. "Let's do something to take your mind off all this. Want to rent a movie?" he asked, getting up and grabbing the on-demand remote. She nodded slowly, scooting over for him to sit on the bed. Ethan hesitated for a moment, before sitting down next to her. The room was silent, only the echo of Breakfast Club (Kristina's choice) rang through the room.

"Do you hate me for not admitting who it was?" Kristina finally asked, breaking the silence. Ethan could feel her heart beating against his arm.

"I could never hate you love," he replied, shifting his weight away from her. He felt like he was hurting her by sitting so close to her bruised arm.

"But you think I'm stupid," she added. He shook his head, playing with the blanket.

"I think you're scared and because you're so scared you are having a hard time understanding that telling the truth about this is okay." Kristina looked at him with saddened eyes. "Krissy, he can't hurt you anymore then he already did. I'm going to be sure of it. But if you don't say anything, think of the next girl who decides to date him. What is she going to go through? You have a chance to break his cycle of abuse."

"I think that because of me not telling, he'll change." Ethan couldn't help but laugh at her naïve remark.

"No baby, he isn't going to change. Has he even showed an ounce of remorse? He hasn't tried to see you… Not that I'd let him see you, but he hasn't tried. That doesn't sound like someone who is going to change," he replied, placing an arm around her. "Close your eyes, you need sleep."

---

Ethan's eyes flew open at the sound of the hospital door opening. "How's she doing?" Sonny asked, walking into the room. Ethan looked down at Kristina, who was peacefully asleep in his arms.

"She's doing better then yesterday. Seems to have brighter spirits," he replied, slowly climbing out of the bed. "I'll leave you alone with her."

"Actually, I'd like to talk to you in the hall." Ethan followed Sonny out of the room nervously. Something about Sonny made him feel uneasy. "Cops haven't gotten any leads. Son of a bitch didn't touch anything. All the prints have come back iding people we knew were in the house," he explained. "I feel like we're missing something, and the look on your face makes me feel like you aren't surprised there have been no leads"

"I don't know anything more then what she's told me," Ethan lied. Sonny nodded, rubbing his thumb under his lip.

"I need you to do me a favor," Sonny told him. "I want to pay you to guard Kristina." Ethan swallowed hard, thinking about the feeling he got in his stomach every time she was in his presence.

"With all do respect, Krissy isn't going to like having a guard around her all the time," he replied.

"That's why I'm hiring you. She wont know you're being paid to guard her," Sonny explained. Ethan sighed, really not liking this idea.

"Krissy has a crush on me, this isn't the greatest idea." Sonny interrupted him.

"You wouldn't be worst person for her." Sonny smirked watching Ethan's face scrunch up in confusion. "I'm kidding…. Sort of. I think that you are good for her build her confidence up, and I trust you to know you wouldn't take advantage of my daughter."

"Sonny, I plan on protecting her for free. I don't need to be paid for it."

"Ah, this is why I like you. You're a gentlemen. But consider yourself hired. I want you with Kristina every moment from the time she wakes up, until the time she goes to bed…" Sonny patted him on the back, and walked past him leaving Ethan stunned.