Part Ten

I sat on FDR's couch with him and Tuck on either side of me. The TV was on but I don't think any of us were watching it. I kept seeing flashes of him beating me and dragging me upstairs. I flinched and buried my head in the pillow I was squeezing to my chest. FDR rubbed my back and Tuck rested his hand on my knee. I took several shaky breaths then looked back up. I still couldn't quite believe that my father was here. FDR's phone rang. I jumped at the sound.

"Oh hey Lauran," he said getting up and moving away. I bit my lip watching him.

"Sure, no problem. Ok, I'll see you tomorrow," he said before hanging up and coming back over.

"What was that all about?" Tuck asked jealousy in his voice.

"Lauran wanted to see me tomorrow," FDR replied mildly. I sensed that Tuck was about to say something else.

"Please don't," I started with a sigh, "Please can we just put aside Lauran tonight?" They both looked at me. Surprisingly I didn't feel selfish for asking them to focus on me for a change.

"Of course," Tuck said.

"Yeah," FDR agreed. We all shifted around and I was able to rest my back on Tuck's chest and my head on his shoulder with my feet in FDR's lap. FDR began to rub my feet and Tuck wrapped his arms around me. I knew Tuck's actions were only those of a best friend but I allowed myself to pretend, just for tonight, that we were together.

Pain ripped through my back as dad kicked me. He picked me up and threw me into a wall.

I woke with a gasp and Tuck immediately rubbed circles into my back. I had been moved to the bed. I calmed down and went back to sleep.

Dad pounded into me and I screamed in pain.

I jolted upright with a scream. FDR began to massage my shoulders and murmur assurances in my ear.

Dad laughed as he slapped me. I saw stars and he began to punch me.

And so it went on. All night I was woken by nightmares and every time I did Tuck or FDR was there to calm me down and put me back to sleep.

In the morning both of them were exhausted. I felt guilty for keeping them awake so I decided to make them breakfast. I made them breakfast burritos and poured them freshly made coffee just how both of them liked it. They came downstairs yawning but smiled at me.

"I'm really sorr…" they cut me off.

"Don't even think about apologizing," they both told me. I sighed and ate my food.

FDR and Tuck both went on dates with Lauran. Tuck took her driving in a cool car that he rented and FDR showed her painting that he fake owned and I worked on the Heinrich case.

"Great, I have to go to a stripper joint," I muttered as I talked with Collins.

"Make sure Tuck and FDR are ready to go with you," she told me before walking away.

"Yeah right," I muttered. The comradeship they had two days ago was gone. It made me sad and happy that I was the reason they had decided to put aside Lauran for a day. I was happy because it proved once more how much they cared about me and I was sad that it took my father showing up to make it happen.

"Guys Heinrich has a friend named Ivan who'll be at a strip joint tomorrow night. Get ready. I'm going to be first and you two are going to be my bodyguards," I told them slapping down the files on their desks. They had been having another whose bigger contest.

"I'll see you guys tomorrow," I finished grabbing my bag and walking out to my car. My phone rang and I saw Joe's name light up my screen.

"Hey Joe, what's up?" I asked. Joe hardly ever called me.

"Can you come pick me up? Mom is working and dad was supposed to pick me up," he said. I blew out a sigh.

"Ok, I'll be right there," I told him. I started to drive and dialed Tuck's number.

"I'm picking up your son and taking him to Katie's," I bit out. I hung up before he could stammer out any excuses.

I parked outside of Joe's school and got out. He was waiting for me on the stone wall.

"Hey Joe," I greeted hugging him.

"Hi," he greeted in a sad voice. I smiled at him trying to lift his spirits.

"Come on, I'll take you to Katie's and stay until she comes home," I told him. He nodded and we went back to the car. I drove him to his mom's house and he grabbed the key from under the mat. We walked in and I headed for the kitchen.

"Do you want something to eat?" I called.

"Mac and cheese," he called from the living room. I smiled and pulled a pan out. I grabbed a package and began to cook it. I heard the TV playing.

"Thank you Rayne," he told me. Something nagged at me.

"Hey Joe, why do you always call Frank uncle but you never call me aunt?" I asked. He looked at me with wide eyes.

"Because I keep hoping I'll get to call you mom," he replied. He skipped off as I stared at the place he had been. Tears pricked my eyes but they were tears of happiness. I had at least one vote of support.