A week had passed since I had seen Todd. He walked into the courtroom with a certain swagger that I knew so well. He was confident that things were going to go his way.

"Don't worry Marty, you're going to be home for dinner before you know it. The prosecution's case is flimsy and I'm pretty certain that Nora is going to drop the charges in light of the evidence that you were being drugged," Tea whispered before the Judge pounded the gravel and the hearing began.

Tea had been right. Nora informed the court that the prosecution was dropping all charges against me in light of new evidence and I was free to go on my way. I gathered up my belongings as Natalie walked over to me.

"I'm sorry Natalie. I know that you hate me for what I did, but I need you to know that I'm better now and I will never hurt you or anyone else again."

"You're a psychotic Bitch. You may have been able to full the court into thinking that you're better, but we both know the truth, that it's only a matter of time before you hurt somebody else because you're nothing but a jealous shrew," Natalie said as she slapped me across the face.

Todd shot out of his chair and pushed Natalie away from me. "You better get your trashy girlfriend out of here John, because niece or not, if she touches Marty again, I'll kill her."

"Come on Natalie, let's go," John said as he grabbed her hand and led her towards the door.

Todd reached out his hand and touched my already swelling cheek before I could stop him. It had been such a long time since Todd had touched me and I immediately felt bothered, not because his touch had made me uncomfortable, but rather because it didn't. It made me feel things for him that I didn't want to feel. I stuffed my feelings down and stepped backwards.

Todd instantly pulled his hand away, "Sorry, I shouldn't have touched you. I was just worried. I just don't like to see you hurt."

"It's okay Todd. I'm going to go home, I'll see you later."

"I'm coming home with you."

"You're what?"

"I'm coming home with you. I promised Patrick that I would keep you safe."

"I'm capable of keeping myself safe," I argued.

"Yeah, you've done a really good job of it. You did such a great job of it that the agency has been drugging you for months. I'm not taking any chances when it comes to you. Stop being so damn stubborn and let me help you for Patrick's sake. He would never forgive me if something happened to you under my watch."

"I thought that you hated Patrick. Why is it so damn important for you to keep your promises to him?"

"I went through Hell with him and we had to learn to trust one another. I wouldn't have made it out of there if it wasn't for his help, besides this isn't just about Patrick. It's about you too. We both know that I owe you and I'll do anything to make sure that you're safe."

I was tired of fighting with Todd. If I didn't let him come home with me, he would just follow me home anyways and we would just have another argument there. I knew that Todd wouldn't back down until he got what he wanted and I was just too dam tired to fight with him any longer. "Fine, for Patrick's sake, but you're sleeping on the couch."

"Like I'd have it any other way," Todd said as he followed me out of the courtroom.