*Warning – this chapter contains abusive situations*

(xxxxx)

The following morning, Brooke woke up to the feeling of peace. Something she hadn't felt in years. She wrapped Spencer's comforter tighter around her body and breathed in his comforting scent. She smiled at the incredible feeling of happiness that ran through her veins. This was something she had never felt before.

She never slept in a bed that was so soft and warm. She had never been able to close her eyes and sleep peacefully. In fact, she just realized for the first time in a long time, she didn't even have a nightmare. She never wanted to leave this bed. But, she knew life was waiting, so she rolled out of the bed and wandered to the bathroom.

It was so clean. She gently touched the granite counter top with her fingers. It was cold and smooth. She saw Spencer's toothpaste and placed some of it on her finger. Using her finger as a brush, she cleaned her teeth. When she finished, she instinctively started rinsing the sink and making sure she didn't leave a mess. She bent over to get every droplet of water.

After using the bathroom, she went out to the living room, where she found Spencer sitting on the couch with a cup of coffee in one hand and a book in the other.

"Good morning," she said softly.

Spencer looked over his shoulder and smiled at her. She was wearing one of his t-shirts and boxers. She looked adorable.

"Good morning, how did you sleep?" he asked as he placed his book down.

"Very well, thank you. Your home is beautiful," she said.

Spencer looked around his dingy apartment with a frown. He had always considered his home quaint, but never beautiful.

"Thanks," he said as he looked back at her. "Can I get you some coffee? Are you hungry? I could make you some breakfast?"

"A coffee would suffice," she said. "Thank you."

Spencer got up and walked to the kitchen, while Brooke followed quietly behind him. He grabbed a mug out of the cabinet and started filling it.

"Cream and sugar?" he asked.

"A little, please," she said.

Spencer finished making the coffee and handed it to her. As he did this the cup jostled and sloshed over the edge. A little spilled on her hand startling her and she accidentally dropped the cup. It hit the kitchen floor with a crash. Ceramic fragments and hot coffee exploded all over. Brooke dropped to her knees in horror and began hand sweeping the mess frantically.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry! It was an accident! I'm so sorry!" she said as the spilled coffee burned her hands.

Spencer bent over to stop her, making her flinch. Curling away from him as if he were about to strike her. He stepped back, startled by her reaction.

"Brooke, it's ok. Stop! I'll get a rag," he said as he spun to grab the dish towel behind him.

He slowly bent down and started wiping up the mess. Brooke had tears in her eyes as she sat looking at her hands. Spencer reached out carefully and touched her arm. She looked up at him and saw the concern in his eyes. She tried not to, but a few tears escaped, sliding down her cheeks.

"Are you hurt?" he said tenderly.

Brooke shook her head as she diverted her eyes to the ground.

"It was an accident," he said in a gentle tone.

"I'm sorry. I can pay you for the cup," she offered as she brushed the tears from her eyes.

"No, there's no need. It's just a cup. I have more. It's really ok," he insisted.

Brooke watched him finish cleaning up the spill and slowly rose to her feet when he did. He tossed the towel into the sink and turned to face her. He gave her a comforting smile.

"How about we go somewhere for breakfast? My treat," he offered.

She seemed surprised by this, but she slowly nodded her head.

(xxxxx)

Spencer slid into the booth across from Brooke. He watched as she gave a small smile to the hostess who handed her a menu.

"Your server will be right with you," the woman said kindly, before leaving them alone.

They silently looked over the menu while they waited for the waitress. He didn't want to get into a discussion until after they ordered so they wouldn't be interrupted. Five minutes later, a short, stocky black woman came to their table.

"Good mornin, how are y'all doin today," she said with a big smile.

"Good thank you, and yourself?" Spencer asked.

"I'm blessed, sugar. Can I start you with something to drink or do y'all already know what you want?" she said as she clutched the notepad in her hand.

"Are you ready?" Spencer said to Brooke, who nodded. "Ladies first."

Brooke blushed as she looked at the shyly at the waitress.

"I'll have the number 3, please," she said softly.

"Do you want bacon or sausage with that?"

"Bacon, please," she said.

"How about a drink, darlin?" the waitress said with a kind smile.

"Water is just fine, thank you," Brooke replied.

"And for you, handsome?"

"I'll have the same thing she's having, with an orange juice, please," he said as he handed her his menu.

"I'll be back with your drinks shortly," the woman said.

Spencer turned his attention to Brooke, who was looking around the diner curiously. When her gaze came back to Spencer's, she blushed and looked down when she saw him watching her.

"Brooke, I just want you to know that I would never hurt you," he said suddenly, causing her to look up at him in surprise. "I don't expect you to tell me about your past, unless you want to, but I need you to know that you are safe with me."

Before she could reply, the waitress brought them their drinks and let them know their food would be out shortly. Spencer thanked her and returned his attention to Brooke, who was fiddling with her napkin.

He wanted to say so much more. He wanted her to feel comfortable around him, but he could see her walls from a mile away. They sat quietly, until the food arrived. Spencer felt helpless as he mindlessly ate his breakfast. Brooke seemed to be doing the same as she slowly cut into her omelet.

"I like being with you," she said softly, making Spencer lean forward to hear her better.

"I like being with you too," he said.

She looked pained by this. He didn't understand why.

"Spencer," she said as she laid her fork down. "I'm not who you think I am."

He furrowed his brow in confusion.

"I don't understand," he said.

She seemed to be having an internal struggle as she debated what to say.

"I'm not a good person. You think I am, but you don't know me," she said sadly.

"So, who are you? Let me get to know you," he said, nearly pleading.

She shook her head.

"It has been nice having someone see me as good. I can't bear the thought of ruining the memory of your loving eyes being full of hate," she said as she looked into his eyes. "I think it would be best if we stop talking to one another."

"What? But we just started … I … Brooke, I would never hate you," he said in desperation.

She reached across the table and gently laid her hand on his. He flipped it to hold her hand tightly as if this would keep her from walking away.

"I'm sorry I hurt you, but you deserve someone better than me. I will only drag you down," she said as she slid out of the booth, her hand still in his.

Spencer hurriedly slid out of his seat. His heart racing and his mind boggled with what was happening.

"Brooke, please. There is nothing you could have done that would make me hate you. Please, let me help you," he said as his lip trembled.

She gently laid her hand on his cheek, before turning and leaving the restaurant. Spencer stood dumbfounded as he watched her leave. As he plopped down into his seat, he saw a ten-dollar bill sticking out from her plate.

"Great," he sighed as he tossed his napkin over his plate.

(xxxxx)

"Is he going to be ok?"

Penelope stood watching Spencer hunched over his desk, pretending to do work, but only staring at the paper in front of him. He had been like that for a week.

"In time," Derek said softly.

They were all surprised to hear that Brooke had broken up with him. He had opened up to Emily about everything Brooke had said to him. To try and make it easier for him to move on, Penelope tried to dig into her past, only to find there was no past to dig in to. She didn't exist as of three months ago.

Emily tried to explain to Spencer that she probably did something terrible and was on the run for it. Therefore, it was best if he stayed away from her. She clearly was hiding something and he didn't need to get caught up in something dangerous.

Not surprising, Spencer was irate that they had gone behind his back and investigated her. He insisted that whatever reason she had for changing her name, had to be a good reason and not because she was involved in some kind of criminal activity.

(xxxxx)

Emily, Penelope, and J.J. were walking home from dinner on their monthly girl's night out. As they strolled the streets, something caught Penelope's eye.

"Is that the bookstore where Brooke works?" Penelope asked.

J.J. and Emily looked at it and looked at her.

"No, we are not going in there. Spence is already pissed at us. I'm not making it worse," J.J. said with her arms folded defiantly across her chest.

"I have to agree with J.J., Garcia. There's nothing we can do. We need to let it go," Emily said.

"My boy wonder is hurting and if I can make it better than I have to," Penelope insisted.

"How can you make it better?" Emily said as she laughed in frustration.

"I don't know, but I have to try!" she said as she stormed into the store.

The bell chimed as she entered. She looked around the store, but only saw a blonde filing her nails behind the counter.

"Excuse me, hi, I'm looking for Brooke Williams," Penelope said as she smiled brightly at the girl.

"She's not working tonight," the girl said as if annoyed by the interruption.

"Oh, hm, that's odd. I was supposed to be meeting her here for girl's night. I guess she forgot. Do you happen to know where she lives? I'll just go pick her up," Penelope said.

The girl stared at her with one pierced eyebrow raised.

"Oh, don't worry. I'm not like a murderer or something. I work for the FBI," she said digging into her pocket and pulling out her credentials.

The girl looked at the credentials and back at Penelope before walking into the office behind the counter. After a minute or so, she returned with a sticky note and handed it to her.

"Thank you for your help …." She drawled out as she looked for a nametag. "Casey."

The girl just nodded as she went back to filing her nails. Penelope hurried out of the bookstore and held up the sticky note.

"Seriously?" Emily said.

"Come on! Let's go save our little boys heart!" Penelope grinned as she trotted down the street.

J.J. looked exasperated at Emily, who just shrugged and followed her friend down the street. Reluctantly, and with a loud groan, J.J. followed as well.

(xxxxx)

After returning to Emily's and getting into her car, they pulled up to a building that made them all frown.

"Thank God I have a gun," Emily said as she stared out her window.

The girls climbed out of the SUV as onlookers stared at them. A few whistled, while some made derogatory comments, but they ignored it and went to the entrance of the building. Stepping in to the building they were met by a tall, muscular security officer.

Emily held up her badge and the officer seemed to relax.

"How can I help you ladies?" he asked.

"We are looking for someone who may live here," Emily stated.

"Just a sec. I'll get the night manager," the man said as he pulled his walkie from his belt clip. "Shawna, we have three agents here looking for a resident."

"Send them back," the reply came.

The officer pointed them to the office and the girls thanked him before walking down the dimly lit hallway. There were a lot of people watching them as they headed for the office. It sent chills down their spines. When they reached the office door, they saw a tall, well-built Hispanic woman waiting for them.

"Hi, I'm Shawna, the night manager, how can I be of assistance?" she asked.

"We are looking for someone who may be living here. She goes by Brooke Williams," Emily said, in her official tone of voice.

"Yes, I know Brooke. She in trouble?" Shawna said with concern.

"No, ma'am, we believe she might be in danger, so it would be best if we could speak with her as soon as possible," Emily said, only partially lying.

"Oh, poor girl. I can't say I'm surprised. She doesn't actually sleep at the shelter anymore. It was too stressful for her. She'd wake up screaming most nights. Eventually, she started living out of her car. She only comes here to get her mail, occasionally eat, and volunteer to do housework," Shawna explained.

J.J. and Penelope looked at one another stunned.

"Do you know where she typically goes for the night?" Emily inquired.

"No, ma'am. Unfortunately, I am not sure. I wish we could have helped her, but she insisted she wasn't fixable. We could never convince her to talk to a counselor," Shawna said.

"Well, hopefully we can help her. Thank you for your time and assistance," Emily said as she shook the woman's hand.

As the girl's climbed back into the car they sat in silence. None of them knew what to say. How much trouble was this girl really in and what was she running from?

(xxxxx)

Sorry for the delay in updating this story. To be honest, I wasn't sure where to go. It seemed like I had a great idea and it suddenly disappeared. I'm still struggling a bit with this story, as I rewrote this chapter at least 6 times. I hope you like it! xoxo