A/N - I've been writing like crazy -_- haha so I'm going to post like a mini marathon of sorts? hehe if that makes ANY sense. I'll be posting 3 new chapters, just so I can get caught up with the actual relationship they have on the show. I'll be adapting that with my story because they have a new episode tonight =) haha! Hope you guys enjoy! Please R&R, thank you ! Also, I want to thank SoulSurferFan116 for helping me with the character of Katie =) Go check her out! Alright, now I'm done, haha! ENJOY!

Katie grew up in a very sheltered environment until the age of 7. That's when everything fell apart for her; literally. Her father was a retired drummer who opened his own record label – Katie's entire group of friends thought it was the coolest thing in the world. She was the only one who knew the truth behind his wicked ways. Her parents divorced when she was seven – she moved from home at seven. Katie Matlin was forced to grow up at seven; for a very lucky number, it was very unlucky for her.

"Miss Matlin? Your father is here for you."

Katie sat still with her legs pressed protectively against her chest. Although she'd never admit this, she's scared – she hasn't seen her father in over a year.

Would he be mad? Would he scream at her? Would he question her sanity?

Why was he here?

"Kates," A simple pair of green eyes met hers. She couldn't move; she could barely breathe. Everything about her father terrified her. From the simple way he said her name to the smooth way he moved through life. Everything about Mark Matlin frightened her.

Most of all – it was the fact he had enough coldness in his heart to treat her like complete shit and not care. He was the only man that got close enough to hurt her.

"Dad." She replied, coldly, "What are you doing here?"

"Well," He began, a cocky smile painted on his face, "When a father gets a phone call from his daughter's school informing him that his daughter is unconscious, it can really, really worry a parent, Katie."

She was barely listening; he was the last person in the world she wanted to see.

"It wasn't a big deal Dad… things just got out of hand." A moment of silence ensued as he studied Katie.

"You haven't been eating again, have you Katie?"

"Of course I've been eating, I'm not an idiot!"

"No, you aren't an idiot. But this is just foolish Katie; you are the smartest girl I've ever had the privilege to meet … and yet you do these stupid things! What were you doing up there in that forest anyways? Why didn't you scream for help?"

Katie felt like a rocket – only moments away before she blew up. It would only take one more word until …

"This is ridiculous; if you're not even going to cooperate, why do I even try!"

"I did scream, okay? Is that what you want to hear? I was AFRAID! Daddy, I was screaming so LOUD…no one could hear me! I've never felt so alone in my life! I thought I was going to die!"

It was now Katie's fathers turn for silence. He didn't know what to say to make it right. He was shocked…scared—confused.

"Katie, I don't worry about you being alone in life. I worry about you being lonely."

"I am lonely!"

"I've had enough," Mr. Matlin stood, colleting his things in one swift movement, "I'll call you later tonight when you're in a better mood."

Katie couldn't speak—she couldn't move. Everything in her body hurt.

She had told Drew that it was okay to scared. It was true, but Katie was terrified to show fear – she couldn't do it. Not now…not ever.

She felt violated by Owen, emotionally abused by her father, and physically drained by her own demons. Katie Matlin had officially hit her breaking point.

DREWS POV

"I don't understand what made her want to run, especially in this dreary weather in such a damp forest. Oh, and her physical appearance is still fine. Thank god her cuts weren't very deep, but we found some pretty bad bruising around my wrists, shoulders and waist. I'm guessing someone decided to toss her around. I'd ask what happened but … it's not my place to speak."

The doctor had just finished giving the run down to the nurses and Marisol, and I couldn't help but overhear.

This was so obscure to me. How this of could happened? No clue. There was only one way to find out.

"I can talk to her if you'd like," I stood up, joining the group right outside Katie's room door. I spoke in a hushed tone, "Katie trusts me…maybe she can help us figure out what happened."

"Good point," The doctor nodded, "Go ahead and speak to your girlfriend-,"

"They aren't together." Marisol's voice was low and fierce. I glanced at her startled, "Um…r-right. We're just friends. I'll go see if she's alright now."

The group dispersed once I left; only Marisol waited outside patiently. She looked majorly pissed. "Aren't you going to come inside?"

She lifted an eyebrow, an amused expression crossing her face, "Come in? No; she trusts you … remember?"

I shook my head, letting the door close behind me with a bang. I looked up, and almost immediately, I found Katie sitting there in a hospital gown, her bruises grown blue and yellow like battle scars. She began to cry, "Drew…"

I had never held someone so tightly before. All I wanted to do was wrap her in my arms, and kiss every pain away. I wanted her to feel safe again – but obviously, that wasn't going to happen any time soon.

"Who did this to you? I will kill them, Katie. Tell me now. Who?"

I didn't mean to growl—to push so hard. But I hated seeing girls cry. It tugged at my heart. It reminded me of when Adam was still Gracie. I could never get over that. The way her face used to contort into a frown and the sound of her sobs echoing through out a room. It made me feel weak; vulnerable.

I let her sob into my chest for a few moments. I could feel her nail claw into my back, as if she were holding onto her life. She was so vulnerable … unlike the usual girl I saw, walking so confidently through the large halls of Degrassi. This girl was broken and bruised. She was scared.

"This is my fight, Drew. Please, just leave it at that. I trust you, so much," I cupped her face in my hands, wiping away every fleeing tear, "But I'm so terrified of what you can do to others; to yourself. I'm a big girl Drew… I can handle this."

"He hurt you Katie. Whoever this guy is and whatever he did to you… it ended up like this. You're my girl Katie. I would never let this happen to you."

I couldn't lie to her. She needed to know what she meant to me. I wasn't going to settle for friends anymore. Because friends don't feel this way towards other friends. I didn't care if she wanted me to stay out of this. I cared about her… I wanted to keep her around. But if I let this slide, what about the next time she ends up in here? What was I supposed to do when she ends up in a coma? I wasn't going to lose her. Not like this.

"The person who did this… it was-,"

All of a sudden, the door flung open, with Marisol bursting through moments later.

"It was Owen, Drew. It was Owen."