DISCLAIMER

Belongs to Disney and everything else affiliated with it. I use a scene from the Walker, Texas Ranger ep "99th Ranger", but only cause it's perfect for the fic. I'm making up Jamie's home address.

"Jamie," Charles Waite smiled. Jamie turned towards the kitchen. "Oh, no you don't, boy," he snarled, running and tackling him. Jamie grunted and began crawling in the direction of the kitchen.

"Hold still, you little brat," Charles snarled.

"Emily. Where's Emily?" Jamie asked. The man laughed derisively.

"You're worried about her? Don't be. I took care of her," he stated. Jamie froze.

"No," he said fearfully. He--he wouldn't. Please, please, no, he thought to himself.

"And you're gonna join her," Charles told him. Jamie began to struggle again, and managed to throw the man off of him and continued for the kitchen.

"JAMIE! DON'T YOU MAKE ME CHASE YOU!" Charles yelled. He quickened his pace and quickly caught up with him, pinning him against the wall. Jamie's face twisted in pain.

"I told you not to make me chase you," he whispered in his son's ear. Then, he threw the boy across the room. In one of the neighboring houses, a woman was on the phone with the police. Cal was asleep in his bed, when the phone rang. He muttered intelligibly and fumbled around for the phone.

"Hello?" he mumbled.

"Cal, this is Marissa Fairbanks. I got a call about a disturbance at one-eighteen Providence Lane," the woman on the other end of the line reported.

"I'll be right there," Cal said, instantly awake. He hung up, grabbed his gun, and got into his car. He turned the siren on and sped down the street. As he did so, he activated his intercom.

"This is Officer Cal Richardson requesting back up at one-eighteen Providence Way. I don't have any proof, but I have reason to believe that the disturbance is being caused by a man known as Charles, Waite, father of Jamie Waite," Cal stated.

"Is he armed?" dispatch questioned.

"Unknown, but he's known to be extremely violent," Cal answered.

"Back up's on the way," dispatch promised. Back at his house, Jamie was struggling against his father.

"Stop fighting me. You know you'll never win," the man snarled. Jamie just kept fighting. He'd probably die, but he wasn't going to be submissive about it. He cried out in pain as he was hit in the ribs.

"You're gonna wish you had never disobeyed me, Jamison," Charles threatened. Jamie grunted and tried to break free, to no avail. The man put his hands around the boy's throat. Jamie gagged and his vision swam. Ohhh. I'm sorry, Emily. I'm so sorry, kiddo, he thought to himself. All of a sudden, he could breathe again.

"Charles Waite, you're under for attempted murder," Jamie faintly heard an officer say. There was a click and receding footsteps. Jamie gulped in the fresh air and was carefully helped up.

"Are you okay?" a familiar voice questioned.

"Emily, Emily," Jamie said urgently. "Oh, man! He killed Emily!" he gasped.

"Jamie?" a voice asked. With a shuddering gasp, he turned around. Emily was being carried by an officer.

"Emily!" he said in relief, running to them.

"I found her hiding in the bathroom," the officer told him.

"Jamie, that man tried to hurt me," Emily reported as he took her into his arms.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry," Jamie said hurriedly. Emily buried her face into his shoulder. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry, kiddo. I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry." The next morning, Jamie and Emily came down to the station.

"What are you guys doing here?" Cal asked.

"You need my statement?" Jamie wondered.

"No. Part of the agreement for his parole was that he wasn't supposed to have any contact with you and Emily. It's a lesser charge than attempted murder, but we won't let him walk," Cal told him. Jamie nodded and held Emily close.

"So I'm guessing his petition's out," he said. Emily looked at them in confusion. What were they talking about?

"Yeah. After last night, there's no way he'd ever get custody of you," Cal assured.

"Thank goodness," Jamie sighed in relief.

"Jamie, what are you guys talking about?" Emily questioned.

"You remember those stories about the king and queen?" Jamie reminded. She nodded, not understanding. Then, she understood.

"That man last night--he was the king?" she questioned. He nodded.

"I didn't like him," she said.

"Well, you don't have to worry about him anymore," Jamie assured her.

"Because you'll always protect me?" Emily asked.

"Forever," Jamie promised, holding her even close. Emily leaned into him. She was so glad she had her big brother. Things would be okay. She never had to worry because Jamie would always be there to protect her.

THE END

AUTHOR'S NOTE

If you or someone you know is being physically abused, call 1-800-4-A-CHILD (2-24453).