I told you I'd be updating regularly again.

So, I hope you like this chapter. Although, you'll probably hate the ending.

Enjoy!

Emily paced her front porch nervously. Chad was late…again. The past two days he'd been late, with fresh bruises or cuts.

He hadn't been able to stay more than an hour, just to go straight home again. Anyone in their right mind would see that something was wrong.

Her familiar ring tone played on her cell phone and she looked at the caller ID. Chadinater.

"Chad?" she answered anxiously.

"Hey, Emster. Sorry but I can't come over today," his voice sound strained.

"Again? Chad, tell me what's going on."

"Nothing, Emster. I'm fine," he coughed.

"Don't lie to me."

"I'm fine."

"You're scaring me," she finally admitted.

"What? Why?" She could almost hear his wince.

"Every time you come over, you're hurt in some new way. Then you can't stay too long. Now you're calling to say you can't come. That's twice in a week, Chad."

"I'm just being a kl-,"

"Don't say you're being a klutz. That is the most overused phrase by you lately."

He went into a short coughing fit before answering, "I'm going to go take a nap. I'll feel better."

"Chad…"

"I love you, Emster."

Emily closed her eyes and sighed softly. The way he said it, so serious. Like it may be the last time he'd ever get to say it.

"I love you, too," she gave in. She heard the line click dead, but she didn't close her phone.

"Where do you think you're going?" Troy looked at Emily suspiciously as she gathered her things.

"I'm going to Chad's house," she replied shortly, trying to find her keys.

"Em, I wouldn't…"

"I'm going. Now, I know you're just as concerned as I am, but I'm not being a coward and sitting there while something or someone is hurting him," she snapped.

"Just…be careful, okay?" Troy sighed.

"Yeah, I'll be fine," Emily found her keys and stuffed them into her purse before closing the door behind her.

Emily's fist froze before she knocked on the door. She listened to the conversation inside.

"LEAVE HER ALONE!" Chad's voice screamed.

"You shut up," Daniel's voice replied coolly.

"Chad, just stay out of it," Valerie Danforth – well Rodriguez now – answered. Emily could tell she was sobbing.

"MOM, I'M NOT SITTING HERE AND LETTING HIM HURT YOU AGAIN!"

"AND I'M NOT LETTING HIM HURT YOU AGAIN, EITHER!"

Emily heard the sound of skin hitting skin and another shriek from Valerie. Emily jumped slightly at the sound. It was scary; to Emily it was as if she was listening to Alex beat her up again. Only this time, the guy was three times bigger.

Emily peeked through the window only for a moment, as not to get caught.

"Um, Daniel, isn't it time for you to go to work?" Chad changed the subject.

"Yes, it is," Valerie answered for him. "You should get going."

"Fine," his voice moved closer to the door. Emily saw the doorknob jiggle.

She didn't have anywhere to hide. She was going to get caught! And who knew what Daniel would do…

The door cracked opened and Emily could see Daniel's back and Chad's face. His eyes widened when he saw Emily standing at the door. "Daniel, wait!" he stopped him from turning around.

"What?" Daniel's voice was menacing.

"You forgot your briefcase," Chad said quietly.

Emily took the opportunity to run to the back of the house. She stayed at the backdoor until she heard Daniel drive away.

Footsteps ran to her hiding spot and she saw the door open to reveal Chad. Her heart broke at the sight of him. He had a fresh black eye and cut lip.

"Emster, what are you doing here?"

"I came to check on you," she caressed his cheek, "and for good reason, apparently."

"You need to go home," he said sternly.

"And you should come with me."

"I'm not leaving my mother alone here."

"Then she can come, too! Chad, I can't leave you here."

"I have to stay here," he said firmly. "Now go home."

"Chad, why didn't you tell me?"

"Why didn't you tell me about not taking your medicine?"

"Touché," she responded.

"Just go home. And don't tell anyone," he warned.

"But Chad-"

"I mean it, Emster," he closed the door gently.

Emily sat on the back porch, facing Chad's house. She was just sitting there. Watching or waiting. She wasn't too sure which one she was doing.

"Emily, you should come inside," Jack Bolton called to his daughter.

"I'm fine out here, Daddy," she responded, not taking her eyes off the house.

"Is something wrong?"

"I can't tell you," she looked at him.

"What's happening?" he took the seat next to her.

"I told you, I'm sworn to secrecy," she sighed. Her gaze focused back on the house.

"Did something happen with you and Chad?"

"You could say that," she nodded slowly.

"Well, I'm sure you two will work it out," he smiled and patted Emily's shoulder. "Until then, you should come inside."

"I'll be inside in a minute, Daddy."

He agreed and walked back into the house, leaving Emily to succumb to her own thoughts. Finally she couldn't take the silence anymore, and stood up to walk inside.

"Emster," a voice whispered.

Her hand froze on the doorknob; she turned around slowly, "Chad?"

He came out of the shadow, revealing even more cuts on his face than this afternoon.

"What are you doing here?" she walked over to him.

"I need a favor."

"Sure, anything."

"Can I hide out here?"

"Of course you can," she touched his cheek and he winced slightly. She jerked her hand away. "Sorry."

"Don't be. Can we just hurry up and get inside before Daniel sees me?"

"Oh, right," she opened the door for him, but he shook his head.

"Ladies first."

Emily rolled her eyes. He was cut and bruised and hiding from his abusive step-dad, yet he kept his manners. They walked inside and Chad settled himself on the couch, staying very quiet.

Emily watched him carefully. "You should clean up those cuts."

"They're fine."

She sighed. There was no use in arguing with him. "You want a pillow and blanket?"

"If you don't mind," he replied simply.

Emily went to the hall closet and got a spare blanket and pillow, then walked back into the living room. What she saw, when she got there, shocked her.

Chad was still on the couch with tears streaming down his face. Emily had only seen Chad cry once in her whole life. It was when his parents announced their divorce.

She didn't know how to approach the situation. Should we make a big deal and fuss over him? Or should she ignore it?

Emily set the blanket and pillow on the floor and sat quietly next to him. If Chad wanted to talk, he would talk.

"What did I do to deserve this?" he finally choked through his tears.

"Nothing, baby. You don't deserve this at all," she scooted closer to him.

"Then why is it happening to me? Why am I the one suffering?"

"I don't know," she said quietly.

"I hate him."

"Shh, don't think about him," she laid her head on his chest and wrapped her arms around him.

He held onto her and began to cry harder.

He wiped the tears from his eyes a little while later, "I'm such a coward."

"Chad, how in the world can you say that?" she sat up and looked at him.

"I'm sitting here, crying."

"You've got a lot on your plate. Don't worry about it. I'm here for you," Emily looked at him intensely.

"That's just it, Emily. I'm supposed to be taking care of you; not the other way around!"

"Chad, you can't always be the hero."

"I guess you're right," he sighed.

"Should we call to check on your mom?"

"No, she ran," Chad said simply.

"Ran?"

"She's gone, Emster. She left."

"She just left you here to deal with him on your own?"

"No, she offered to take me with her, but I wasn't leaving you."

"You should have gone with her. You would have been safe."

"But I wouldn't be able to talk to you, or tell you I was okay. You'd be worried sick."

"But you'd be safe."

"I feel safe right her," he tightened his grip on her.

She smiled to herself and buried herself deeper into his chest. They fell asleep in that position. Happier than either had been in a good long while.

Chad woke up first the next morning. He sat watching Emily sleep soundly for a while, before gently moving her aside and walking into the bathroom.

For a split second he thought Daniel had been a horrible nightmare, but as soon as he saw his reflection in the mirror, the reality crashed over him one, huge, sickening wave.

Chad barely recognized himself. He had a black eye, busted lip, cut across his forehead, and bruises along his cheek.

He stared at his reflection for a while. Soaking in the silence. He jumped when he heard a crash from the Bolton living room.

"Em-?" he stopped dead in his tracks in the living room.

There was Daniel, standing in the doorway, looking angrier than ever. Emily stood up hastily from the floor. Her cheek was red and she her eyes held a look of pure fury.

"You can get out of my house, Mr. Rodriguez," Emily said menacingly.

"And you can tell me where Chad is," he replied.

"Over my dead body."

"Killing isn't my style."

"Oh right, I forgot. You just like to slap them around," Emily rolled her eyes.

Apparently neither of them had noticed Chad step into the living room, but he wasn't about to draw attention to himself. Emily was okay at the moment. He would intervene if she became endangered.

"You should watch that little mouth of yours," he warned.

"I don't have time. I'm too busy making sure you don't kill my boyfriend!" she replied cheekily.

Daniel's fist collided with Emily's face.

"STOP!" Chad ran over to Emily.

"Ah, there you are," Daniel cracked his knuckles.

Not much to say. But I do have a new story idea. But, I don't know how I'd handle two stories at once.

Please review!