Hey guys. Sorry for the wait. Thanks for your patience. There are some intense moments in this chapter so prepare yourself. If you are reading this at work don't, unless you can explain why you may be crying. Here's one 'These numbers are atrocious,' if you don't work with numbers the mere fact that you are seeing numbers is cry worthy, if you do work with numbers the excuse might work. If you are reading this at home and there are other people around think of something to explain your possible tears now, unless you're okay with them knowing you are crying because you're reading this then dive in. If you think all of this is annoying psycho babble preventing you from reading on feel free to roll your eyes and continue on. If this has made you smile you're welcome, if this has annoyed you I apologize. There may be some inaccuracies in this chapter, I apologize.

Paige opens the door to her room looking towards the kitchen then to the front door. Paige steps out with Brooks following copying Paige's quiet movements. Once Paige is at the front door she notices Emily curled in front of it fast asleep.

Paige whispers harshly "Damn it."

Paige turns walking to the backdoor she is startled by a light turning on "Going somewhere?"

Paige jumps wincing from the pain shooting up her leg "You scared me Sir."

Wayne crosses his arms "Well when my daughter sneaks out of her room to park herself in front of the front door to sleep I start to wonder what our houseguest is thinking. You know because Emily knows you so well. Why are you trying to leave? Have we not been accommodating?"

Paige limps to the table taking a seat where Wayne has pushed out a seat "You've been extremely accommodating. I just can't stay here. I have already overstayed my welcome. There's a lot of history here."

Wayne hums "You're talking about Emily with the history, I presume. She wants you here Paige, she wouldn't be parked at the front door if she didn't. If she didn't still love you she wouldn't be out of her comfortable bed and on the hard cold floor. I'm not going to make you stay Paige but I am going to ask you to. It won't just be good for you it will be good for Emily. I can see there is still something between you two. What are you afraid of Paige?"

Paige sighs "These past couple years haven't been the best for me. Stanford dropped me like a sack of rotten potatoes. No other university in the state would even look at me, if they did it was to put me last on a list of like seven billion. The Air Force gave me a chance I screwed that up with my stupidness, why couldn't I leave that damn razor alone? Then they take me back because they need a team that was on a secret mission found and apparently I was one of their only hopes. I find the team, get them to safety, injuring myself in the process. Now every time I close my eyes there's guns going off and fire everywhere and I can't breath. I am a burden to everyone I should have died."

Wayne clenches his jaw "I don't ever want to hear you say you should have died again. EVER. I wouldn't be here right now if you hadn't have come, neither would the four men that were on my team or the three that were on yours. You saved us. None of us would have known how to fix that bird and fly us out of the danger zone. If we would have hiked it we probably would have came home in pieces or looking like Swiss cheese. The terrors will go away. I will walk you through those. It helps to talk about it. That dog of yours will help too. You are not a burden Paige, far from it. I want you here, I wouldn't have put my address down as yours if I didn't. Pam does too, not just because you brought me home safely but because she likes you Paige. You are a good kid. In my opinion the only one suitable for my daughter, not just because you saved my ass. You are smart, courageous, caring, considerate, respectful, gentle, stubborn as the day is long, trustworthy, honest, loving, funny. Should I go on? I can think of more if you give me time."

Paige shakes her head looking down at Brooks lying at her feet.

Wayne takes Paige's hand "You are a valuable contribution to this world Paige. Don't you ever forget that. I will spend my life reminding you of that and I will get your parents to as well. Go back to bed. Do I need to leave Emily at the front door or are you going to stay?"

Paige sighs "Get her into bed I'll stay."

Wayne takes Paige's bag back in her room picking up Emily and caring her upstairs. Paige closes the door to her room climbing into bed.

Emily wakes up in her bed looking around, How did I get up here? Her eyes widen, Paige. Emily rushes down the stairs looking into Paige's room, the bed not looking slept in.

Pam informs "That's how they are taught to make a bed in the Army, well Air Force in Paige's case. You should see how your father's half of the bed looks when I'm still in the bed, immaculate. After I get up he makes my side of the bed look the same way."

Emily looks at her mom then back to the room, Where is Paige's bag? "Where's dad?"

Pam hands Emily a cup of coffee "He went for a walk. We needed a few things. Did you know Paige doesn't like coconuts? Of course you did you dated her once."

Emily cringes at the way her mom spoke, she is sure Pam didn't mean to make the last part sound as harsh as it did but it still stung. It's like Pam was saying 'What the hell did you ever give that one up for?' To be honest Emily couldn't figure that one out herself, Alison sure as hell wasn't worth it. Emily would never find anything that genuine in her life. Paige was it, the most genuine thing Emily would ever have. Now that Paige was back in her life there was no way Emily was letting that go again, not without a fight.

The door opens followed by the patter of Brooks' paws on the floor.

Pam looks down "Oh did they load you with the groceries? Sit I'll unload you."

Brooks sits waiting patiently for Pam to take the groceries from the pack that was strapped to him.

Wayne walks in loaded with more groceries "Ugh shopping with this one is insane. Go in find what you want get out, if you take longer then ten minutes she gets impatient."

Emily takes some bags from her dad "Yeah Paige doesn't like shopping. She didn't tell you that?"

Wayne nods "Oh she did I just didn't believe it was that bad. When we are ready to come home she leaves me like two bags, the lightest ones. She wouldn't let me take any from her until I threatened to call you. Then she puts all the bags down waiting for me to take them, I left her with two bags..."

Paige interrupts "Yeah the lightest ones. I am not a fragile little bird I can pull my weight."

Wayne shakes his head "I never said you were. Of course she flips the tables on me and threatens to call you if I don't give her more. I gave her three more and went outside to Brooks looking between us like 'Who's going to get my leash?' Paige manages to get the leash but Brooks keeps trying to get the bags from her. We stopped at a pet store and asked what the best kind of pack was for him and they gave us one. If Paige was left with a bag Brooks would try to get it so Paige left me with whatever was left. Paige didn't want to load him up to much because he's never done this."

Paige jokes "Nah it was more like I knew you could handle the weight. Brooks just doesn't have what it takes yet."

Brooks nips Paige softly barking a warning, Paige looks at him "We just got up and moving around a week ago. This was your first test, you passed by the way. I failed."

Brooks growls shaking his head, Wayne puts his hand on Paige's shoulder "I wouldn't say you failed. You managed to walk to and from the store without stopping for to long. Go sit down your leg must be killing you."

Paige shakes her head "Nope. I'm good."

Wayne crosses his arms glaring at Paige, Paige sighs "Fine. I'll be in the living room."

Paige turns walking out of the kitchen and into the living room.

Sitting on the recliner she pats her lap for Brooks to join her then puts the foot rest up. Emily walks in sitting on the coffee table in front of Paige.

Paige moves to put the rest down, Emily shakes her head "No it's okay keep your leg up. How is it? Can I see? I'm training to be a physiotherapist. I am interning at Rosewood General right now."

Paige nods softly wincing when Emily touches her leg. Brooks jumps up growling at Emily.

Paige clicks her tongue "It's not her fault Brooks settle. I was an idiot and pushed myself to much Emily is trying to help."

Brooks licks Emily's hand letting out a soft apologetic bark.

Emily pats him "It's okay you were protecting Paige."

Looking at Paige Emily starts "Three years ago I asked you to stay when you were leaving to California, you didn't. I didn't really understand why then. Now I do, there were a lot of things happening you were scared, hell I was too. Now there isn't anything happening and I'm going to ask you to stay. Paige I don't know what's happened to you in these three years but I really want to. We have both grown a lot, apart, I want to see if we can grow together. I love you I never stopped. I know with everything that has happened while we were apart we can't jump into a relationship again. I want a chance to prove I can be your pillar, a pillar. This is a safe place Paige let me, let my mom and dad, show you we can be a safe place for you to heal. You may have been rejected a lot these past years, I promise you Paige I will not reject you. Please don't go."

Emily caresses Paige's cheek wiping away some tears that have fallen "Give me a chance Paige."

Paige looks at Emily then to the entrance were Wayne and Pam are standing Wayne pleas "Give us a chance Paige. This family will not let you down. You're giving your parents another chance it wouldn't hurt to give us one too."

Pam adds "This family doesn't give up on one another. You probably don't know this but you are a part of this family Paige."

Paige hicks looking back at Emily who offers a smile "My mom has always liked you. She's just waiting for the day I officially make you a Fields she's got a calendar and everything. I keep telling her it might take a while if it happens at all."

Wayne and Pam both chirp "Oh it's going to happen."

Paige and Emily look at the two then each other clearing their throats.

Wayne injects "In time of course. You two have been apart for some time. You need to reconnect first. Not in that way, yet, I mean get to know each other again first then reconnect if you know what I mean."

Paige raises an eyebrow "No I don't. Please explain."

Wayne sits beside Emily "Well you see when two people love each other they will find a place to rip off each others clothes and ravage each other getting to know every inch of their lovers body."

Paige hums "Really? What do you mean by ravage each other?"

Pam interjects "Okay that's enough no more. Paige you know what it is to ravage you've probably ravaged Emily a few times."

Emily shrieks "MOM. No. Paige shush."

Paige beams teasingly "What? They already know."

Emily shakes her head "No. You can try and get me to withdraw my offer by embarrassing me but it's not happening. I want you here Paige. Please stay."

Paige looks at Brooks who puts his head on Paige's lap sighing contently, Paige hums "Who am I to displace this guy? He looks so comfy. I am really comfy, you guys are very inviting." Looking at Emily she asks "Are you sure you want me here? There is a lot of history between us."

Emily takes a breath "I am absolutely positive. You are staying here Paige. I am not letting you slip through my fingers again."

Paige sighs softly closing her eyes, Emily observes "Did your attempted sneak out tire you out?"

Paige nods "Planning that was exhausting. I had no idea where I was going to go and your dad scared the bejesus out of me. The nightmares didn't help either."

Pam sits on Wayne's lap "What nightmares?"

Paige looks at Wayne panic flooding her face, Wayne soothes "It's okay Paige. Paige is haunted by things that happened over there in her dreams. We went to someone that could help her with that today."

Pam asks "Is that why there is a Playstation 4 in the kitchen with a few war games?"

Wayne nods "The therapist didn't recommend that but I happen to know going through that kind of thing while gaming helps you adjust. That's what they do before releasing soldiers back into the community, have you play simulated war scenes until you stop having panic attacks about what you saw while serving. That and continuing sessions with the person we saw earlier will help. Paige and I are both seeing this person. There is no shame in it Paige what we are doing is a natural thing with people that have served. They need help adjusting to life outside of the Forces. You took a big step today. It's better to start now then to have it fester and get worse. You'll be okay Paige."

Pam pats Paige's shoulder "We won't let you slip away Paige."

Paige yawns going to stand, Emily puts her hands on Paige's lap "Stay there Paige."

Pam concludes "I think we could all use a nap."

Wayne leaves the living room locking the front and back door then returns to the living room sitting on the other recliner joined by Pam. Emily lies on the couch one hand stretched to Paige's the four quickly falling asleep.

Paige is sitting eating the rations when the rapid fire of a machine gun sends her to the ground for cover. Basic training taught her to never be far from your weapon so Paige grabbed hers her eyes searching for the attacker. Finally movement catches her eye and she fires a scream and the sound of a body dropping hits Paige's ears. The other men she is with all find cover at different corners of the camp looking for the enemy.

Paige sees a round rigid ball, a grenade, coming at her moving the butt of her gun towards it the object flies in the direction it came from. Her ears fill with screams as the woods in front of are lit by fire.

One of the men she came with groans doubling back from being shot. Paige shoots where she sees the nose of a gun another body thumping to the ground. Paige drags the fallen soldier to safety before retaking her position sending another rigid ball back to it's thrower with the butt of her gun, more screaming and fire.

In the corner of her eye Paige can see fire, this is when she looks around her quickly noticing the forest surrounding them ablaze. Paige turns back in time to jump back when a piece of the forest fire lunges at her not fast enough the fire lights her legs.

Paige lurches awake screaming and patting at her legs "Fire, fire. Help me."

Wayne jumps up from his spot "You're okay. Paige it's okay. You're not on fire. Look at me it's okay."

Paige only gets more frantic almost kicking Wayne in the head. Brooks jumps down running to Pam's side, the woman frozen in fer spot, and releasing a whine.

Emily gently caresses Paige's cheek softly offering "Paige. It's Emily. You're okay."

Wild fear filled eyes connect with Emily's.

Paige chokes "Emily."

Emily takes a breath trying to hide her own fear "You're safe Paige. It's okay."

Tears roll down Paige's cheeks "There was fire everywhere. I was on fire."

Emily looks quickly at her dad who offers a nod confirming the nightmare as something that happened over there.

Emily wipes some tears cooing softly "You're safe now."

Paige chokes out a sob connecting her forehead with Emily's the girls eyes offering some comfort.

Emily rubs Paige's arms humming softly to soothe the troubled girl.

When Paige is calm she looks at Pam "I'm sorry ma'am. I didn't mean to scare you, any of you."

Brooks jumps on Paige's lap licking her tears away then allowing Paige to bury her face into his side. More tears falling down her cheeks soaking the fur they fall on. Brooks puts his paw on Paige's hand comfortingly.

Pam ignores the ma'am soothing Paige "It's okay. I wasn't scared for me I was scared for you. I had no idea what to do. Wayne is there something I can do to learn how to help if this happens to you or Paige again?"

Wayne nods "Yes there is. There is a class teaching how to help when that happens, as well as a support group for people who have loved ones suffering from these attacks. I can get both of you in one. They actually help the person going through these moments understand them too so it wouldn't hurt for Paige and I to go too. I can get your parents in too Paige, if you want."

Paige nods "It would be good. If I have one of these with my parents they should know what to do to help."

Paige hums patting Brooks gently.

Wayne wakes to a crash down stairs, Pam sits up "What was that?"

Wayne throws the covers off "Stay here I am going to check."

Wayne steps into the hallway to find Emily holding a bat, Wayne holds out his hand "Hand it over then get back to bed. Stay there."

Emily backs into her room closing the door and waiting for her dad's footsteps to weaken once they do she steps out of her room creeping down the stairs.

Emily peaks around the corner seeing her dad kneeling in front of Paige "It's okay Paige."

Paige shakes her head "No it's not. We are never getting out of here. You were wrong to rely on me. I can't do this. You're all going to die because I failed. I am so stupid. I should have tried harder. I'm a failure. No wonder Emily gave up on us. She deserves better then me."

Emily let's out a soft cry, Wayne looks up "I told you to stay in your room."

Emily walks up "I'm glad I didn't. Is she bleeding?"

Wayne nods "Yeah. That crash was her falling over trying to run. Her leg gave way and she slammed it in the corner of the door frame. She bumped her head too."

Emily looks at her dad "Get me the first aid kit. There's on in that bathroom."

Emily purses her lips taking a breath "Paige."

Paige hits the side of her head "I can't stop the voices. It sounds like Emily is right here."

Emily caresses Paige's cheek "I am right here. You're safe Paige. You're in Rosewood."

Paige turns to Emily her eyes looking through Emily full of fear and confusion.

Emily confesses "I should have fought harder for you. I let you go way to easily. By the time I came to my senses it was to late. You were the most genuine thing I ever had."

Paige blinks "I said that to you once. When I was scared to come out."

Emily runs her fingers along the back of Paige's hand "We got another chance."

Paige bangs her head on the wall "I screwed that up too. You would have thought third time is a charm but I...Maybe we aren't meant to be."

Emily checks Paige's head "If we aren't why do our lives keep intertwining? This time I am not letting you slip away again. Paige I'm here. Don't look away. I am sitting right here."

Emily kisses Paige's knuckles "You're in my house where I know you're safe. Where I will keep you safe."

Paige whispers "I'm not worth it."

Emily informs "You're more then worth it. We will get through this Paige. Trust me."

Paige winces when Wayne puts a swab on her forehead, Wayne shrugs "Consider that payback for all the times you didn't warn me when you were fixing me up."

Paige groans "What are we going to do about my leg?"

Wayne teases "Chop it off."

Paige shakes her head "I've grown rather attached to having two legs if it's not absolutely necessary I would like to keep it."

Wayne hums "I'll see what I can do."

Emily growls "We are supposed to be making her feel safe."

Paige looks at Emily "It's what I said to him when I was tending to his injuries over there."

Emily shakes her head "We are trying to get her mind out of that."

Paige takes Emily's hand "Relax Em it's okay. I was wondering when he would throw it back at me."

Emily looks down at their joined hands about to squeeze Paige's when Paige jerks away "Sorry."

Emily pouts for a second then recovers taking Paige's hand back and squeezing it gently "My hand is always here for you to hold. I can give hugs too if you need any."

Paige looks at Wayne then back at Emily "Uh I don't..."

Wayne clears his throat "We should get Paige to a hospital to check this over."

Paige freezes "I'm good."

Wayne scoops Paige up "You won't be trapped for eleven months this time, just a little checkup to make sure there hasn't been any lasting damage done. Do I need to make it an order?"

Paige sighs "Can I really be considered a soldier when the second we were back on American soil I was dropped by the Air Force. My duties done when I brought you back. My hospital bills are taken care of though, well up until the discharge a week ago. Everything coming up is up to me, which is understandable."

Wayne takes them to his car "Whether you are or not I am and I can still give you orders McCullers."

Paige shrugs "Didn't listen then."

Wayne puts Paige in the passenger seat "Look where that got you."

Paige looks at the house where Pam and Emily are exiting hastily "Not a bad place to be."

Wayne smiles "No it is not."

Pam and Emily buckle up "Get a move on before Paige loses more blood."

Paige looks at Wayne pointing to the road. Wayne starts the car pulling out of his spot.