Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot and Tristan, and now Dom's parents. Wow, that's more than I thought I owned.

"Real Girl"

Chapter 9

There wasn't anything she could do. He had to return to his obligations and she needed to get back to her life of supporting her brother and herself. There was no other way it could have gone, it was just the way things were meant to be. 'So why do I feel so broken up about it?' Kel asked herself as she emptied her bags from the back of Neal and Yuki's SUV. "This is the way things are going to be, get used to it." With a weaker strength then she felt she waved her friends away and told Tobe to hurry up with his stuff. Moving up the stairs she remembered all the fun she had had with Dom. All the laughs and happiness, all of it gone. "Now stop it, that's no way to live your life." She scolded herself. Juggling her bags around she fished for her keys in her pocket. Pulling them out triumphantly she unlocked her door and entered the hallway leading to the living room.

Reaching the table in the kitchen and dropping her stuff down, she looks around the dusty kitchen, "Yep, nothing like dust to remind you of your return from a fantasy." Kel said ruefully to the room. Running her hands through her hair, she gets out a rag and starts to dust the house. As she makes it to the bathroom, she decides a shower would be nice and starts the water. Walking back to her room to get clothes to change into she stops. 'Was that Tobe just now?' She asks herself, moving closer to the noise, "Tobe. Did you let Jump go out?"

No answer was given and Kel was starting to get worried, 'He should have been in a long time ago.' Thought Kel,

"Tobe, answer me right now."

She walked faster toward the location of where the noise was, but found the room empty of all but her bags. 'It must have been Tobe taking Jump out.' She tried to rationalise. "Keep it together Kel, or you'll go crazy."

"Now, now. I always thought your were a bit crazy for never wanting me."

Frozen by the sound of that voice, Kel was unable to retreat before the figure grabbed her from behind, and to late to scream as a hand was clapped around her mouth. Stroking her cheek in an almost loving gesture, "No, we wouldn't want you to warn anyone now would we babe." The cold voice of Tony sounded in Kel's ears, renewing her efforts to get away. She kicked and lunged for the floor, anything to escape the man holding her against her will. "Give it up babe, no one is gonna save you this time, especially not your pretty boy."

He threw her to the ground stunning her as her head hit the corner of the small coffee table, Kel grabbed at the pain on her scalp, her hand coming away red with hot, sticky blood. Before she could react he was on top of her, crushing the wind from her slightly smaller body. Still she struggled against him, even as he hit her again and again, over and over. Until she lay spent on the floor of her and Tobe's apartment. "There now, was that so hard to do babe." Tony asked as he caressed her face almost gently, "This could have been easy if you had let it be." He went on, "But you couldn't have that could you? Well now it will be my way."

He tore at her t-shirt, ripping it from her body exposing her chest to the cold air. She renewed her struggles, as much as she could with him half on top of her,she kicked her feet, yelled, all with a prayer that someone would hear her and save her. "Stop it bitch." Tony slapped her again, this time ending her struggles with only one strike. He continued clawing at her clothing and skin, working his way to his own pants. Unzipping the fly and pushing them down, Kel knew real panic,

"No please!" She screamed, praying to the Goddess that it would all just end. That Dom was here to save her. But he wasn't, no one was, and she couldn't stop this. She couldn't ...

Screaming tore the air.

It went on forever, loud, spine crawling shrieks rent the air as Dom ran to the room. Leaving the ceramic cup that was in his hands to smash to pieces, leaving hot black coffee to stain the pristine carpet. Throwing the door open, almost breaking it off the hinges in his haste, he ran for the bed. Seeing Kel tangles in the sheets and fighting against them for her life. "Kel! Kel look at me!" He yelled over her screams as he holds her still, keeping her from hurting herself in her struggles. "Kel!"

Finally roused from her nightmarse, Kel tore her eyes open. Meeting Dom's worried and scared gaze, "I... I'm..."

"Shh, it was a nightmare wasn't it? It's ok." Dom pulled her into his arms more tightly, willing away all her fear with his warm body-heat. "It's OK. It was just a nightmare, no one is going to hurt you again. I promise."

Unaware of the audience standing in her doorway Kel continued to tremble from her horrible nightmare, but Dom was. As he tried to give his seat to Yuki he found he was unable to move. Kel refused to relinquish her hold on his shirtfront. "Kel, I'm just going to let Yuki hold you now OK. I'm not going far, I promise." Kel just berried her face in his chest.

Sharing a look with Yuki, Dom just scooted back on the bed to the headboard holding Kel strongly to his chest, where he held her until she exhausted herself. "I think she's asleep." When she didn't protest to him putting her down he knew he was right. "I'm going to stay with her for a while. Yuki could you please bring a cold compress and maybe some water? She might be thirsty when she wakes up."

Nodding Yuki moved from the bed to do as he asked.

Tobe moved forward sitting on the edge of the bed. Silently watching his sister sleep, feeling guilty. Head in his hands he pulled on his hair lightly feeling the guilt grow inside him bigger and bigger, "It's not your fault Tobe." Tristan had moved to the young man, placing a hand onto his shoulder. "If Kel knew you blamed yourself she would feel horrible. you know that right?"

Dom was surprised to see tears fall down the young mans eyes. Tristan moved his hands to the boys shoulders, "Tobe..."

"I know damn it. I know it's not my fault, but I can't stop thinking that it is. She's my sister, I'm suppose to keep her safe. But I didn't, I failed. She was hurt because I couldn't stop her from working at that club and she ended up getting hurt."

"I hardly believe that anyone could tell that women what to do without some hard consequences." Tristan replied with a smirk. "Tobe, a man is not someone who lets guilt take control of him."

Tobe straightened as if he had been hit in the gut.

"A man is someone who learns from their mistakes and does not wallow in his self misery." Tristan rose to his full height in front of the sitting young man, "Do you understand?"

Tobe stared at the standing man for a long time, taking in the emotions in the blue iris' before taking a deep breath and standing, "Yeah, yeah I do." He turned to his sleeping sister cuddled against Dom's side. "Hey Tristan, thanks."

The man joined the others on the bed brushing his hand through Tobe's short blond hair, Neal not far behind his older cousin. And that's how Yuki found the occupants when she returned, all asleep on the big bed, and Kel cradled in the middle of all the overprotective men finally sleeping soundly.

The next morning found Kel sitting with her legs underneath her in the library. She had one of her favorite books in her hands and was trying to read. Her thoughts were filled with the conversation she had had with Tobe that morning.

Flashback:

"Kel, I know I'm still in high school and you don't want me working right now. I understand, but will only agree if you promise to never take a job like that one ever again."

Kel was speechless to say the least, her gaze moved from her book to her brother. Watching him stand beside her chair, she could see much of their mother in him. Not the height, at least not yet, But he still had some time to grow into his full height. No, it was the strong yet calm eyes that bore into her face, young but demanding.

"Tobe..."

"Kel, I don't want to see you so broken up ever again. It was like my heart was being burned out of my chest by guilt." About to tell him none of this was his fault she was stopped dead by him, "I know it's not, but I never want you to put yourself in a situation like that again. What if something were to really happen to you? What would happen to... to... me? I need you Kel, please don;t do something so foolish ever again."

Beating back the tears fighting to erupt Kel nodded her head, "Alright, we'll find money another way."

"Good." Bending to kiss her on the cheek he was grabbed in a fierce hug. After holding each other for a while Tobe smiled, "I love you sis."

"I love you too Tobe."

End Flashback:

She felt her attention slipping, her eyes roaming the hand carved bookshelves and the many volumes atop them from floor to ceiling. She took in the plush rugs covering the hardwood floor to ward off the cold, and the large but secure windows that held a view of the backyard. 'I don't want to leave this place.' Feeling depression coil its way into her chest she rose from the comfy seat in search of something to keep her busy.

Walking down the hall Kel paused at the sound of giggling. Turning a corner she found Neal and Yuki kissing sweetly, smiling softly she left them alone. She eventually found her way to an empty kitchen, 'Tobe must be hanging out with Tristan.' She smiled, she had noticed how Tobe was taken with Dom's older brother. 'It's good that Tobe found someone to look up to that's male, and not Meathead.'

Chuckling, Kel wrote out a note that she went to the country club a few miles down the road. Leaving it on the table and grabbing a spare set of keys she went out the kitchen door with a determined and satisfied look on her face. But she as unaware of Tristan watching her leave from an upstairs window.

Dom found her at the indoor shooting range. 'She really is breathtaking.' He found himself thinking as he watched her fire the gun under the watchful eye of an instructor. See how easily she conversed with a man she hardly knew made Dom smile and found joy in knowing she was a friendly person to not just her loved ones, but he had suspected as much.

Kel was emptying the gun of shells just as the instructor had taught her when she sensed someone watching her. Turning around she spotted Dom not far away watching her. Hiding her embarrassment at being found in a gun range, she removed her ear-mufflers with a one sided smile, giving an off handed comment about shooting the gun.

Dom suspected her eagerness is for safety and lets it slide. "Have you ever fired a gun before this?" Dom asks.

Embarrassment making her face red and her hands shake on the gun, Kel handed the weapon to the instructor. "No, never."

"She's a natural." Disassembling the weapon the man shook the hand Dom offered him, "I haven't found as good a shot in a beginner in a long time."

"Well, I would never want to get on her bad side." Dom joked. Turning to Kel he asked, "Would you like to join me for a late lunch when your done?"

"I'm done now, if you want to head out." Kel took her googles off, handing them to the instructor. "Thanks for showing me."

"Not a problem little lady." The man smiled as he watched the young couple walk away hand in hand.

With the echos of gunshots fading behind them, Dom lead Kel toward the clubs bar and grill. "Is this alright? It's not fancy, but..."

"No, this is fine. We can talk over a beer and maybe some burgers." Smiling, Dom gently squeezed her hand before continuing toward the bar.

"So, Kel. What do you want to do when we return to the city?"

Pausing in her chewing, Kel was shocked to hear him speak such things. Him and her... together after this little vacation? Not that her heart doesn't swell at the thought, but for him to desire it too? That was wonderful!

"Well to be completely honest Dom i figured you would go back to your life and i would look for another job." She lowered her burger back to it' plate, and took a swig of her deer. "I just figured you would ahve lots to do, with running your business and going to college for those classes." Kel finished lamely.

"Kel, I told you I wanted to have a relationship with you, and I meant a real relationship. I want you to meet my family at some point and I would like to be a constant in your life." Grabbing her hand gently in his Dom smiled into her upturned face, "I want all of this, but if your not ready we can take it slower."

"NO!"

Heads turned, looking for the source behind the sudden yell. Kel, feeling her face heat-up ducked her head. "I mean... I just like what we're doing and I want it to continue. I..." Taking a deep breath Kel collected herself and felt the redness leave her cheeks, "I also want to continue seeing each-other and would love to someday meet your family."

"I was hoping you felt the same way." Dom's smile was a toothy one as he leaned over the table to kiss Kel's cheek. "I'm glad." After a while, Dom, suggested they return to the house for another nap, knowing Kel hadn't been sleeping well recently.

Jump welcomed them as they entered through the kitchen door holding hands. "Hey Jump, have you been good?" Kel smiled as he cocked his head to the side in answer.

Tristan walked in smiling at the conversation between mistress and dog. "Hello Kel, little brother. Did your day get any better Kel?"

"Yes, but I seem to be tired already. I was going to take a nap before dinner."

Nodding, Tristan thought that would be the best thing for her. He moved to the fridge as he watched his little brother hold hands with the little Kellie. 'I believe things are working out.' Smiling, he watched as Dom led Kel out of the kitchen toward the stairs. 'Yes, I believe they are coming together quit nicely.'

....................

Kel gently shut the door after kissing Dom good-nap. She was seated on the bed removing her boots when a nock sounded on her door, which was then opened slowly revealing Dom. "Hi."

"Hi" Kel wondered what he wanted when she saw a pillow in his hand.

"I always sleep better with my own pillow... I was wondering if I could join you?"

"Uh, sure." Kel moved to stake her claim to the left side as Dom plopped down on the right removing his own shoes. Kel pulled the covers over herself, slightly self contious. She felt her body stiffen slightly as Dom threw his arm around her waist, pulling her back flush with his chest.

"Relax Kel, I just want to sleep beside you." Nodding Kel calmed her breathing, after a few minutes of lying in his arms she found herself relaxing and her eyes growing heavy. She snuggled into the mattress and arm draped around her sound asleep.

Dom laid there watching her sleep for several minutes before closing his own eyes and finding his own sleep.

AN/ Hi everyone, i know I'm a horrible person to make you all wait so long, and i have no excuse to do it. I am VERY SORRY!!!! And I'm also sorry this chapter doesn't have lots of meat, it's mostly fluff, but it is moving the story along.

I want to thank all of you who have stuck with me this long, "THANK YOU SO MUCH!" you all have kept me going, despite the fact that i've been slow recently. And to all of the new readers who have found this story not long ago, thanks for picking it up and I hope you all stay tuned in. Because the story is soon reaching it's end and it's got some surprises coming this way!

-meganwastaken