Kirsty gasped and sat bolt upright in bed, shaking violently.

"Kirsty?" Adam asked worriedly "What's wrong, shall I get someone..?"

"No! No, I'm-I'm okay" Kirsty said pulling herself together, "It was just a dream."

"What about?" Adam questioned gently.

"I don't want to talk about it." Kirsty said sharply. Adam looked hurt. She hated upsetting him, but she just felt it was better that way. He didn't need to be burdened with all her problems – he had his own.

"Okay...well you can't go back to work now, so you should probably go home-"

"No!" Kirsty answered, much too quickly. She mentally kicked herself.

"Kirst...is everything alright, at home..?" Adam asked gently.

She wanted to confide in him, she really did. It wasn't that she didn't trust him, it's just she couldn't risk Warren finding out, then she'd really be in for it. But, wasn't she in for it already? She must be late by now. She glanced at the clock. She was two hours late home. Warren could come looking for her any moment now, and find her here. Here with Adam. She was without a doubt in for another beating tonight. She had to get home. Now. Unless...unless, he was waiting for her to get home, so he could start on her as soon as he saw her. The longer she stayed here, the more furious he got. Kirsty's stomach dropped. She gripped the shiny metal rails of her bed and struggled to steady her breathing.

"Kirst..?" Adam was staring at her, worry written all over his face.

"I'm fine, I'm fine." Kirsty lied, "And I just didn't want to go home because I didn't want to worry Nita. But if my shift is over I probably should."

"Okay, give me a second while I go and change, then I'll drive you home."

"Oh, Adam you don't have to do tha-"

Adam interrupted. "Yes I do."

They drove home in silence. But it wasn't tense silence, like the kind of silence that was always there when Kirsty was with Warren. It was a peaceful silence, and she savoured every moment of it. But as Adam drove along her road, Kirsty had to break it.

"Stop here please." Kirsty told him.

"But Kirsty, isn't your house at the end of the road..?"

"Yes, it's just...Warren's a bit funny about me being with...other men. Look, it's complicated, okay?"

"Alright..." Adam was obviously suspicious, but he didn't question further, which Kirsty was grateful for.

"Thank you for looking after me, today" Kirsty said, a little awkwardly.

"That's no problem." Adam smiled.

Kirsty got out of the car and began to walk, slightly unsteadily, down the road towards her front door.

As soon as she was out of earshot, Adam whispered "I love you."

Then, with a sigh, he started the engine, and drove away.

Hope you liked that, I'll try and write more soon, but I am quite busy this weekend. I'll try and do one or two updates on Sunday. In the meantime, hit the review button, and I will love you! ;)