A/N: This is a short chapter but I hope it's ok.

As ever thank you for reading, favouriting and reviewing.

Next chapter is Emily and we'll find out more about what happened when she turned up on Naomi's doorstep.

But for now I hope you like it.

I hang up the phone. Emily rarely calls me so I hope she's ok. I walk into the lounge.

"Alright blondie?"

I smile at Cook, "yeah, I'm fine."

There's a chuckle, "So how is the divine Ms M?"

I stare at the room, "I don't know actually. She seems a bit strange. I think she's reminiscing."

Charlie rubs my shoulder, "ignore her, from what Bec said she was in a pretty bad way that night..."

Effy nods, "don't worry babe, I'm sure she's ok."

I look at the floor, "Have you lot smashed every glass or just the cheap ones?"

They look bashful until Cook puts his arm around me, "listen Naoms, we're playing some games, go have a lie down, a bit of a think and then come join in the fun. There's a bottle of tequila with your name on it."

I give them a smile and nod, "ok, you're right I do need a bit of space, but not for long. I'll be back out soon."

I walk into my room, lie on the bed and sigh. The night Emily turned up I was a total mess. I hadn't spoken to her in just over two years. Well I had, but only a couple of sarcastic comments and certainly nothing nice.

That'll always make me feel guilty, the way I cut her totally out of my life like she didn't matter. She did, she always would and maybe if I'd been braver she wouldn't have suffered as much.

I exhale, I guess we'll never know but I was here for her now, and that was the important thing.

I could still recall how shit scared I was when she turned up at the door and how much I wanted to protect her...

I stared at the figure collapsing across the threshold, her head smashed against the floor and her body crumpled.

"Cook... Cook.. For fuck's sake help..." I screamed.

He came into the hall, "Jesus, is she ok?"

I shook my head and stood in despair, "No...no she isn't...please help her... please..."

He picked her up in his arms and carried her to the sofa before placing her down.

"Give her some air..." I demanded as I knelt at her side.

Emily lay there, eyes closed and laboured breathing.

"Em? Emily? It's ok. You're safe. I'm here now." I uttered as her breathing evened out.

I inhaled sharply as I drew the hair from her face, the bruise was already starting to form and she flinched as I touched her.

"Freddie's been up to his usual crap then..." Effy said with derision as she picked up Emily's wrists.

I stared at the marks, "he's hurt her?"

Effy snorted, "He's a bastard Naomi, I should know."

"Sorry... I forgot..."

She scoffed, "Don't worry, most miserable time of my life and something I'd never wish on anyone. You need to focus on making sure Emily's alright."

I sat on the floor and gently stroked her face, "Em, I'm here, you did the right thing, I'll take care of you..."

She murmured and a small whimper escaped her mouth.

I looked up into the concerned stares, "could you leave us alone? Go out somewhere? I'm not sure an audience is what she needs, I don't want her to feel claustrophobic."

Cook nodded, "Sure, come on guys, we can head to this new club I know. Let's leave them to it."

Bec looked at me and a realisation dawned, "me as well?"

I nodded sheepishly, "sorry, I need to focus on what's best for Emily. I'll call you, I promise."

Emily stirred, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt..."

I cupped her face, "It's ok, what do you need?"

She gave me a weak smile, "I'm fine."

"Shall I run you a bath?" I asked as I gently stroked her skin.

"That'd be lovely."

Bec followed me to the bathroom, "so that's her then? The famous Mrs McClair?"

I sighed and turned on the taps, I slumped over the bath, I didn't trust myself to face her, "Yeah, that's her."

"So she's the one that broke your heart and ruined you for the rest of us?" Bec asked slightly bitterly.

I nodded, "Sorry, but yes."

She gave a resigned sigh, "see you around Naomi."

I turned, the hurt in her eyes was evident, "Bec..."

"Don't worry about it babe, I'll cope."

"I will call you, I just need a few days. I can't turn her away when she's asked for my help."

Bec laughed and leaned in to capture my lips, she sighed sadly as she pulled away, "I know you can't. It's one of the reasons I love you."

"Bec..." I uttered lamely.

"I'll wait to hear from you Naomi." She said as she walked away.

I went back to Emily, the house was empty. "The bath's ready. I'll be in the kitchen if you need anything."

She stared at me, "I'm not... I'm not sure... I'm not strong enough... I'm sorry..."

I picked her up and supported her on my shoulder as I led her into the bathroom, "Will you be ok?"

She sighed "I feel pathetic, but I might need a bit of help, getting in and out, you know?"

I lowered her into the suds, I tried not to stare but I couldn't help noticing the scars and marks. But this was about soothing Emily. She sank into the water with a contented sigh and luxuriated in the soapy cloud.

After a while she stared at me, "ask what you want."

I swallowed uncomfortably, "What did he do to you Em?"

She snorted and pointed to a white mark on her upper arm, "this is when I pissed him off in front of a business associate, he hit me with the tv remote, you wouldn't think it could do so much damage eh?"

I gestured towards another, "and this?"

She smiled ruefully, "long standing one that. The second time I miscarried his baby, he was losing patience by then."

I sat in silence as Emily recounted what had happened to her. It was stupid but I felt every hit, every insult, every unkind word like it was me. By the time she finished my fists were clenched and I had tears streaming down my face.

"So why now? What happened to make you leave?" I asked.

She reddened and told me what happened earlier that night. I could tell she was ashamed as she recounted the humiliation Freddie subjected her to. I didn't even flinch when she told me about hitting him with the lamp, I'd have done much worse.

"Oh God Emily. I had no idea..."

She stared sadly at me,"why would you? I hurt you, broke your heart, I got everything I deserved."

I shook my head, "don't you dare say that, no one deserves this, none of it."

She shrugged, "I made a bad choice Naomi, it's only fair I suffered the consequences."

I knelt before her and gently stroked her face, "I promise I'll do whatever it takes to keep you safe. He won't hurt you again."

Emily smiled, "you always were my saviour."

I gave her a weak smile, "rinse yourself off and then you need to get some rest."

She did as instructed and climbed out of the bath. I softly patted her with the towel, "let me know if it hurts."

She smiled, "it's the most tender anyone's been with me for a while."

I took a deep breath, "Em, I'm so sorry."

"Naomi, it's not your fault."

I stared at her, "it's not yours either."

She looked back and frowned, "I made the decision, admittedly it was stupid, but I have to live with that..."

I shook my head and held her, "none of it, it's not your fault. Nothing's your fault."

She started to sob and I gripped her more tightly as she wept into my chest, she grabbed my shirt and shuddered against me. I soothed her and stroked her hair.

"Shhh baby, I'm here. You're going to be fine."

"I must have done something..." She said between sobs.

I held her tightly, "no you didn't. It's not your fault."

She gripped me. "But..."

"not...your...fault." I confirmed.

She cried into my chest, "Thank you."

I stroked her hair, "You're Emily Fitch, you're beautiful and special, he's the monster in this."

She passively let me lead her to my bedroom. I found her a t-shirt and some shorts which she put on as I lifted the duvet, she climbed in and I wrapped the cover around her, I kissed the top of her head, "try to get some sleep eh?"

She nodded and her breathing slowed as she drifted off. I watched as her chest rose and fell, she jerked a few times so she wasn't totally relaxed but at least she was sleeping. In spite of everything I couldn't help smiling. I always pretended I didn't give a fuck, I'm Naomi Campbell right? I didn't need anyone. But Emily was always different, she was part of what made me tick. I finally admitted the truth - I'd missed her.

I rose from the chair and made my way into the hall, I stood in the doorway, I wasn't sure she'd hear but I said it anyway, "I'll be downstairs in case you need anything. I'll see you in the morning."

She murmured something and pulled the covers tighter. I smiled ruefully as I grabbed a spare duvet and made my way down to the lounge.

Effy was sitting on the sofa and the noises from the kitchen indicated Cook was back too.

"Is she ok?" Effy asked.

I shrugged, "I don't know. She had a bath and I put her to bed but... Christ Eff... You should have seen her... She's covered in marks... scars... bruises..."

Effy stared at me, "he's a cunt Naomi, a vicious, sadistic bastard."

I rose and stretched, "I abandoned her... left her to deal with it all on her own..."

"You weren't to know."

I snorted, "I saw how he treated you, even if it was mercifully short. I knew what he was like. Maybe I wanted Emily to suffer a bit because she hurt me?"

Effy shook her head and laughed, "Babe, you care about Emily and you'd never wish that fucker on your worst enemy. What's wrong?"

I sat back down, hung my head and started to cry, "I feel so guilty, how could I do that to her?"

In an uncharacteristic move Effy hugged me, "Naoms, you didn't do anything, stop fretting about what's happened in the past and focus on what you can do in the future. Emily needs you, she wouldn't have turned up otherwise. Let her know she's safe and you're here for her, nothing else matters right now."

I nodded and wiped my eyes, "ok, sorry..."

Cook walked into the room with some tea, "now this is what I like to see, girls all touchy feely, only a matter of time before you're naked and oily."

Effy rolled her eyes, "Cook, you're a prick."

"So Emilio? Is she ok?" He asked with genuine concern as he set the cups down.

I shrugged, "I don't know. Better than being with him, but too early to say. Is there anything about him being hurt?"

Cook shook his head, "Nah. If he was seriously injured I'd have been dragged in by now. He'll be fine."

I didn't know whether to cheer or be angry. Then I faced the question I was dreading, "Is Bec really pissed off with me?"

"More hurt I'd say." Effy confirmed.

"She's a nice person, I didn't mean to upset her." I said as I reddened.

Cook smiled, "But she ain't Emily?"

I shook my head, "No... not even close... no one ever will be."

Effy sighed, "she's going to be the ruin of you..."

"Cheers Eff, just what I needed to hear." I said sharply.

My friend smiled, "I didn't say that was a bad thing..."

I smiled back as I picked up the duvet and made my way gingerly upstairs. I gently opened my bedroom door and sat in my chair with the covers wrapped around me. I slept fitfully, but at least I was warm. In the morning Emily stirred and awoke with a jolt. Her eyes adjusted and she smiled shyly when she saw me.

"Have you been there all night?" She asked.

I nodded.

"I'm so sorry Naoms... I just... I didn't ..."

"Shhhh, I'm glad you came to me. So, full English?"

She smiled and visibly relaxed, "that'd be perfect."

I sigh loudly, that was many years ago and even though I wouldn't change my life exactly I still wished Emily and I could be together.

There was a peal of laughter from the lounge and I got up. I walked into the room and stared incredulously.

"Twister? Are you shitting me?" I ask.

Cook grins, "Come on Naoms, it's fun."

Effy sits impassively waiting to spin the dial, "are you in or out?"

Bec and Charlie are struggling as they contort themselves on the mat. "Come on Naomi, we're in pain here."

"Oh no, I can't have that. Ok, I'm in." I say, "if you can't beat them join them eh?"

I down a shot, Effy spins and we move, it isn't particularly successful, we end up in a heap on the floor.

The doorbell rings, Cook gets it as he's the only one free.

I hear his chuckle as he walks back into the room. "Look what the cat dragged in..."

"It's a good job I'm not the jealous type..."

I look up, my eyes lock with the beautiful brown ones that stare back. I hastily get off the floor and make my way over until I'm standing in front of her.

"Emily...what are you doing here?"

"He's out and I thought I'd surprise you." she says as she places her bag down.

I smile, "You're going to stay?"

She nods, "I need to get back home tomorrow but not early. Is that ok?"

My grin broadens, "of course."

She leans up and we kiss. I wish I could say it was chaste but nah, it isn't.

We break apart, Emily smiles and kisses Bec, Charlie and Effy, "hey guys, good to see you all."

Cook smirks as he grabs some shot glasses, he lines them up and pours some tequila into them.

"Emilio, your challenge, should you choose to accept it, is to down these in a minute."

I think about protesting but Emily stops me. We stare along the line, there's at least five.

"On your marks... Get set... Go..." Cook shouts.

Emily thunders through the glasses, she only stops to wipe her mouth once she's finished.

Cook guffaws, "fucking impressive babe... Shit... 43 seconds... Emilio you're the dogs bollocks."

"I feel a bit woozy."

I lead her to the chair, "Are you ok?"

She smiles, "I always am if I'm with you."

I lean down and kiss her, "This is a lovely surprise."

"Right lezzas, enough of this lovey dovey shite, left hand red." Effy calls out.

We all go back to the mat on the floor.

"Right foot blue." Efft barks her next instruction as we all obey.

In a few moves time I'm spread across the mat, my legs are wide apart and my arms barely support me. I suddenly notice no one else is actually playing.

"Did I win?" I ask tentatively.

Effy smirks, "Yeah, you're the best Naomi."

Emily stares at me and licks her lips, "How long can you hold that position for?"

I grin at her, "I'm not sure, but a while yet..."

"Impressive stamina." she replies.

I fall down and smile at the rest of the room, "Excuse us, lovely to see you and all that but we really need to be alone."

Emily offers her hand and picks me off the floor, we go to my room giggling. We undress quickly and are soon in bed.

"The twister position. Do it again."

I push myself up and spread my legs.

Emily nestles between my thighs "Oh baby, get ready for some serious tongue action."

I sigh contentedly as I feel the first flicks, maybe she's married and maybe legally she's joined to him, but the reality is...

... she'll always be mine.