I haven't really brought this up yet, but yes, there is an age difference here between Allie and Jon. Allie is getting ready to turn 18, and Jon is 24. That's a 6 year age difference.

Chapter 7

Two weeks later Allie stood in front of the mirror in the bathroom getting ready for her first day back at school. She was pretty much one hundred percent again physically. Emotionally was another story...although Jon made her feel safe, every night in bed she cried herself to sleep with worry that her stepfather would find her.

Jon felt helpless as he watched Allie slip further and further away from him. He wanted to be what she needed, but he just couldn't reach her. She wouldn't even let him touch her. Every time he got close to her, she would inch herself away. She was polite, and nice enough, but any time Jon tried to touch her, hug her, or just snuggle close to her on the couch...she would retreat away from him.

He walked up behind her as she stood at the mirror. He made sure to keep his distance, but he was itching to carress her shoulders. Let his lips graze her neck, her collarbone, her mouth. They hadn't shared a true kiss since their first kiss that night under the bridge by the river, and although she needed her space, Jon's desire for her had only intensified while having her in his home. He was after all, a man.

Holding back his urges was so hard. Allie wasn't a slut, and maybe he was a pervert for oogling her as she emerged from a shower, or staring at her backside while she was doing dishes. He couldn't help it. He wanted her so much, and she was hiding away from him.

"Hey." he said softly as he watched her in the mirror.

"Hey." she said as she pulled her bangs back away from her face into a bump.

"Are you nervous?" he asked, his voice husky.

"A little." Allie's eyes met Jon's in the mirror, and he gently spun her around to face him.

"Hey, I'll be here until the end of the day when you get home from school. I'll stick around the parking lot and make sure he doesn't try anything." he told her.

She nodded, and he was relieved when she let him pull her in for a hug.

"After I drop you off this afternoon just lock up the house, keep the phone on, and you know where the gun is and how to use it." he reminded her.

"I know." she said.

"And I'll be back on Wednesday night, but I gotta go work this show. DJ is starting to get on my case, and some scouts from some bigger promotions are going to be there."

Jon didn't really think she'd miss him that much, but still he was uneasy about leaving her alone for the first time. He had to wrestle the next two nights though. DJ told him that some scouts from the WWE were going to be there. They'd been interested in Jon for a while, and this could be his big break.

"It's alright, Jon. I'll be fine. I know you have to work." she smiled a little at him, and to his surpise snuggled closer into his chest, taking comfort in him.

God, did she know what she did to him? Did she know how much he cared about her. Loved her. Did she know?

"Jon...I just wanted to thank you for everything you've done for me. You've been really patient with me over the past couple weeks, and-"

He couldn't stand it any longer, he put a finger to her lips to silence her. He groaned when she pressed her lips against his forefinger, giving it a kiss.

He placed his hands on her hips, and backed her up against the sink. She watched, chest heaving slightly as Jon lowered his lips to hers. The kiss was delicate at first, but she sighed into him, and he had trouble stopping himself as he deepened the kiss. It took Allie's palms pushing against his broad chest for him to come to his senses.

"I don't want to make you feel bad...but tomorrow is sort of a special day for me." she said while brushing her palms against his t-shirt.

"What is it?" he asked curiously.

"My brithday." she smiled.

He let his shoulders slump. He wouldn't be with her on her birthday? He felt like a complete jerk.

"I'm sorry, babe. I wish I would have known..."

"I didn't tell you on purpose, Jon. I want you to go to work, you need to get out of this house." she said as she shifted past him and out of the bathroom.

"Well, we'll do something special when I get back, I promise." he kissed the top of her head.

She shrugged, "It's whatever. We don't have to.."

"Fuck that, we do have to! Its your eighteenth birthday."

Eventually, on the way to school she gave in to Jon's pleading, and kindhearted teasing about her birthday. He kissed her on the cheek, and told her to have a good day.

She walked into the school with her head held high. She knew people were going to be looking at her, but she hadn't expected it to be this bad. Everyone was looking at her. Teachers, students, everyone!

Jon made several trips around the high school parking lot before heading to the gym to work out. His mind was with Allie the whole time. He felt like he'd made some progress with her this morning. Her icey front was finally melting, he hoped. He knew she was still carrying around a lot of pain around, and he wanted to help her get through it. If only she would let him.

Meanwhile, the end of Allie's school day had finally come, and she was so glad. She was growing tired of all the looks, and hushed voices when she walked by.

She turned around from getting her books out of her locker, and came face to face with a group of football players, and some of her fellow cheerleaders.

"So, Hamilton, you feeling better?" one of the guys, Dan asked.

"Yeah, thanks." she said brightly, trying not to let anyone see just how much she was lying.

She tried walking around the group, she knew Jon was waiting for her in the parking lot. She also knew he didn't like to be kept waiting.

"Is it true you're hooking up with that wrestler?" another guy asked.

"Yeah? Is it?" they all piped up.

Allie leaned her back against the locker. "No. Listen I gotta go."

Some of the group quickly lost interest when Allie denied being with Mox, but a few guys stuck around, as well as Jennifer.

Dan leaned his hand against the locker, and leaned in, pinning Allie in her place.

"Come, on Al, I bet you are hooking up with him. Everybody says he likes skanks, and we all know you like it rough." he said as his hand came to grip her chin.

"Jen?" she asked with big eyes, looking at her friend.

"I'm sorry Allie, I don't think it's right. He's dangerous." she said while staring down.

"Dangerous? You bitch! Jon isn't any danger to me, you know what would happen if I go home! You're the one who went to him for help!" Allie shouted as tears sprang in her eyes. The betrayal of her best friend hurt more than she could say.

The truth of the matter was, Jennifer was jealous of Allie. She wanted Jon. Jealousy was an ugly thing.

"Let go of me." she tried to push Dan's hand away, but he was too strong.

"Your daddy wants you home, Allie. He promised to give me a promotion at my new job if I bring you to him. But before I do, I wanna see just what all the fuss it about," Dan's hand traveled down her cheek.

Allie felt like throwing up. She felt like dying.

"Get away from me!" she shouted.

"You heard her. Get the fuck away." she heard Jon's voice. He was walking towards her and Dan. The look on her face scared her so she closed her eyes tightly.

Dan's hand dropped from her face and he took a few steps back.

"You the dude they call Moxley?" Dan asked, sizing Jon up.

"That's me." Jon said as he spread his arms out wide, a scary smirk on his face.

"Hmm, well, honestly you don't look like much." Dan said.

"Why don't you try me, and find out...dick." Jon said cockily.

"Another time." Dan said, backing away.

"Definitely." Jon said as he reached for Allie and she ran to him.

Allie buried her face in Jon's chest for a moment. He gave Jennifer a death stare, and watched as the group dissolved down the hallway.

Allie was silent on the way home. They pulled in front of the house, and Jon shut off the engine.

"No he knows where I am." she whispered as she stared blankly out the window.

"No, he knows who you're with." Jon corrected.

"Jon, Jennifer knows where you live!"

"Oh, yeah. Fuck. Okay, I just won't go to the shows." he said simply, pulling out the keys.

"You have to go, Jon and you know it."

"Okay, I'll bring you with me." he said.

The thought of being in a crowd with people she didn't know scared her almost as much as being alone.

"I'll be fine. I'll do everything you said...it should be fine." she said, but her voice was weak.

Suddenly, Jon had an idea. He was about to call in a huge favor. They got out, and she went on inside. He stayed on the porch and lit up a cigarette, and made a call.

"Rob? Hey...would you mind doing me a huge favor?"

Robert Anthony agreed to stay with Allie while Jon was away. Normally, he'd be on the road just like him, but he didn't really have any matches booked. He was just traveling along, hoping to be thrown in.

Jon walked inside, looking for Allie to tell her the news. He found her in his bedroom, laying on his bed staring up at the ceiling.

"So, good news." he said grinning.

"Huh?"

"Rob is going to come stay with you while I'm gone." he layed down beside her.

Allie sighed with relief. Having Rob wouldn't be the same as having Jon, not by a long shot, but she was thankful. She was also confident in his ability to protect her if anything were to happen.

She prayed it wouldn't. She finally felt like she was beginning to get some of her sanity back, and then today happened.

She knew Arnold would come for her now. It was only a matter of time.