Yay! I finally got around to getting some more written. And sorry it's been so long, but I get really busy. I love writing this stuff SOOOOOO much, but hardly have the time to do it. Especially now that I've started another show. I'm doing a Shakespeare play called Love's Labour's Lost. It's pretty cool! But, I'll always find time somewhere to write though, I promise. Hope you enjoy!

Chapter Seven: Aftershocks

As they pulled into Reba's driveway, Barbra-Jean came running out to meet them. "Brock! Is everything ok?" she yelled frantically as she approached the car.

"BJ, I thought you were at the house. Why'd you come over here?" Brock asked in response.

"It's fine, the kids are here with me, now where's Reba?!" Barbra-Jean was desperately attempting to get to the car to find her friend.

"Barbra-Jean," Cheyenne started as she got out of the back seat of the car, "Mom's fine. We just need to get her up to her bed to let her rest."

They all finally got inside, and Brock carried Reba upstairs to her room. As he was putting her down on the bed, she awoke, a bit startled at first. "Whoa, Reba, it's okay. You're safe in your room at home. Everything's okay." Brock attempted to soothe her as he pulled the covers over her.

"Where's Cheyenne?" Reba asked, still worried for her daughter's safety.

"She's fine, Reba. Just relax. She's downstairs with everyone else. They're all just worried about you. Now, Reba, please tell me what happened. What all did Bill do? I need to know."

"Brock, I'm fine. I just want to see Cheyenne!" Reba tried to get up to head downstairs to see her daughter, but Brock wouldn't let her get up.

"Reba! You need to stay here. I'll go get Cheyenne and bring her up here as soon as you tell me what Bill did." Reba looked a little nervous still, and Brock put his hand on her cheek, looking deep into her eyes. "Please, Reba." Reba knew she was too exhausted to get up and go anywhere, so she lied back down. Once she was comfortable, she pulled the collar of her shirt down to reveal the marks on her throat from when Bill had her by the neck.

Brock was shocked at the discolorations on her skin. "Oh, Reba." He moved to lightly touch her neck, but she moved away before he could.

"Don't. It still hurts too much. Now will you go get Cheyenne?" Reba was getting restless and Brock knew the only way she would eventually rest is if she saw with her own eyes that Cheyenne was safe.

"Is that all you have to tell me?"

"Yes! Now let me see my daughter!" Brock put his hand on hers as he got up. He then slid away from her and went out the bedroom door. A few moments later, he returned with Cheyenne following. As soon as Cheyenne entered, she ran to hug her mother.

"Mom! I was so worried."

"So was I. You have no idea." Reba hugged Cheyenne back so forcefully that Cheyenne couldn't have moved if she wanted to. The two stayed in that position for a few minutes before Cheyenne finally got up.

"Are you okay, Mom? Did Bill hurt you?"

"No, Honey, I'm fine. Don't worry about me. Go ahead and go back to Van and Elizabeth." Reba gave Cheyenne a smile, and the cue to give her and her father a minute alone. Once Cheyenne had walked out, Reba said, "Brock. I know this may be completely out of the question, but would you be willing to maybe stay here tonight? I don't by any means want to take you away from your family, but I would feel so much better you were in the house. I mean, I know Bill's dead, but I would just feel a lot better."

Before Reba could ramble any more, Brock replied, "Of course. Don't worry about BJ and Henry. They'll be fine. I'll stay here with you. I'll sleep on the couch and come in to check on you every now and then."

"Thank you. I hate asking so much but –"

"Reba, don't worry about it. Just rest, okay?" Reba just smiled in reply. Brock then left Reba to her much needed rest, and went back downstairs. When he got to the living room, he approached Barbra-Jean first. "Barbra-Jean, can I see you in the kitchen please?" Barbra-Jean put Henry down with Elizabeth and followed Brock to the kitchen.

"What is it, Honey?" she asked quickly, thinking something was wrong with Reba.

"Well, Reba's asked me to stay here tonight. She doesn't quite feel safe enough to stay by herself with just the kids. I told her I'd stay with her." Brock stopped here, waiting for a reaction from Barbra-Jean, not knowing what to expect.

"Well, of course you can stay here. Whatever will help Reba. Henry and I will be fine at the house." Barbra-Jean gave Brock a quick kiss on the cheek before returning to the living room. Brock thought it a bit odd that Barbra-Jean was that easy-going about it, but then thought that she'd do anything for Reba.

Brock walked back into the living room and realized that evening had already passed and night was approaching. Barbra-Jean and Henry were getting ready to leave, and Van, Cheyenne and Kyra had already headed upstairs to bed. Before Barbra-Jean and Henry headed out, Brock said, "Thanks BJ, for caring so much."

"Just make sure she's alright, okay?"

"She'll be fine. I'll see you tomorrow, okay, Honey?"

"Okay. Say good-night, Henry." Barbra-Jean told as she held Henry.

"Night, Daddy!"

"Night, Bud. I love you guys."

"Love you, too." Barbra-Jean and Henry replied together. They then walked out the door and headed home to bed themselves. After shutting and locking the door, Brock turned and headed for the couch. He grabbed one of the blankets on the arm of the love seat and curled up under it, turning the TV on.