Disclaimer: See prologue. Chapter title is from Rihanna's Te amo.

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Chapter Nine: I told her "no", she cried "Te amo"

Mr Moran didn't ask any questions; it seemed like either Sorcha or his wife had told him to shut up. Jim was sitting in the front seat, wheezing, his face so contorted that Aidan Moran could actually feel the pain. He didn't say anything though. No need to, since his crazy daughter was muttering utter nonsense in an attempt to calm Jim down. He wasn't even sure she was using the English language anymore at some point.

Joan Moran was already waiting for Jim. "Jim. I was hoping to see you again, but of course not under these circumstances. Sorcha, can we use your room? I really wouldn't want him to see the mess Sebastian thinks he can live in, and I seem to remember you cleaned yours yesterday."

Sorcha nodded, "Go ahead. I'll wait in the kitchen here. Call me if you need something. And please be careful."

"I am a nurse, Sorcha." She shook her head at her daughter and helped Jim up the stairs.

"So, Carl Powers, I hear. Can you take off your tie and shirt, please? You can sit down on the bed. The sheets were changed yesterday."

Jim sat down on it and, under many hisses and moans, took of his tie and unbuttoned his shirt. "Is it okay… if I leave… the shirt like that?"

She turned, checked, and nodded, "Yeah." She then sat down next to him and looked at his body, "You know, I actually don't even have to touch you. With your ribs showing like that… Extensive bruising. That wasn't just from one punch." She ran her fingers over his ribcage. "This will hurt, Jim. Better prepare yourself." Jim only nodded and closed his eyes when she started applying pressure. "Here, this one is fractured. You got lucky. No danger for the lung or the spleen. It hurts a lot, but it should heal alright." She sighed and got up again. "I will write you a note for school. You will stay here today. I want you to rest. I'll go and get you some painkillers. What is your mother's name?"

"Jamie. Jamie Mor… Brook."

Mrs Moran smiled, "Jamie. Were you named after her?"

"Yes… My father decided it. So she knew how much he loved her."

The smiled turned sad, "It's your stepfather who is abusing you, right?" As Jim nodded, she said, "You know, there are people who can help you. Your mother would be safe, too."

"Please. Don't tell anybody." Jim just said.

"You know I'm making myself liable to prosecution like that?"

"I know. But nobody is going to ever find out."

"How can you be so sure about that?"

Jim closed his eyes, "He's got us under control."

She sighed again, "I see. Well, I'm going to get the painkillers now. You should probably try and sleep. I'll wake you up later so that you can go home, and nobody will find out you didn't attend classes today. If you need something, tell Sorcha."

"I will. Thank you, Mrs Moran. I cannot put into words how much I appreciate your help and all…"

She reached out her hand and ran it over his head, "You have saved my daughter twice, she told me, and you saved my family at the game. And Sorcha would give me hell if I didn't help you. Sleep now." She gave him a last smile and left the room.

It was the first time in what felt like an eternity that Jim was lying in a real bed again, with pillows and covers and all, and not just on a mattress. It smelled of fabric softener, and he couldn't help but bury his nose in the pillow. So soft… And they were so nice, the Morans. A week only, and they already made him feel like he sort of mattered to them.

The door opened, and Sorcha got in, "My mother said I shouldn't bother you now, but I just wanted to check whether you want something to drink?"

He shook his head, "I'm alright. But you don't bother me, really. This is your room after all. You can stay here if you like."

"She said you ought to sleep."

He gave her a weak smile, "Does she know you haven't slept all night either? I shouldn't be occupying your bed when you look as if you are about to doze off against your doorframe."

"I have all night to sleep, Jim. Besides, as you just said, my bed is occupied, and as much as I would love to cuddle, I really think we should take it slow. I understand of course that the prospect of my body against yours must appear very appealing to you, but I am a good girl, and I cannot be won over that easily." She grinned, "Besides, I am known to be a rather restless sleeper, and I don't want to break another of your darling ribs."

"Well, I made the offer." Jim attempted a shrug, but hissed in pain immediately. "Probably for the best."

"See? Don't worry; you'll sleep, I'll watch over you."

"If you insist…" He gave her another smile and closed his eyes. Fatigue was taking over soon. The last thing he noticed was Sorcha sitting down next to the bed, leaning against the nightstand and placing one hand on the mattress.

Jim didn't touch it.

He slept through the day and only woke up when he heard the whisper, "Jim…. up… late…."

He moaned, "What?"

"You have to get up. It's already late. If you want it to appear like you have been to school, you need to get up and leave soon." Sorcha. Her voice close to his ear.

He opened his eyes, and was greeted with the sight of Sorcha in a bathing robe, hair soaking wet. He smiled, "I like that smell. What is it?"

"Clean, they call it. How do you feel?"

He shifted his position, "It hurts badly."

"I can imagine. Don't worry, there's still a bit of time. You don't have to hurry." She seemed to hesitate before she ran the back of her hand over his cheek. "I wish there was a way I could keep you here for another day or two."

Jim closed his eyes, "That's not possible. He'll just freak out. He'll freak out anyways today. Look at the state of me. I look like I slept in my clothes."

"That's a feeble attempt of a joke if I ever heard one. I can iron your shirt if you want."

"That would be great." Under many hisses, he managed to get up and peel himself out of his shirt, turning away from Sorcha in the process. "This is awkward. I really do impose, don't I?" No answer. "You don't have to answer, I mean, I know…" Then suddenly, he remembered. Because of the pain in ribs that had overshadowed any other feeling in his body, he had completely forgotten his back. He turned back to Sorcha. "I… I forgot… please, Sorcha, don't tell your mother…" He moved forward and grabbed both her other arms, ignoring the jolt of pain in his ribs, "Sorcha. I know it looks bad, it is bad, but I need you to swear that you won't tell anybody. Will you do that for me?"

She licked her lips. Once, twice. And then she said, "Why would anybody do such a thing to another person?"

"Because he's a bastard, he deserves to die, and one day I will kill him, but for now everything I do will endanger my mother. We can't leave because we have nothing, he is the one that has all the money. I can't risk driving him away before I found work, before I can earn some money. I need you to keep this to yourself."

"Jim, he's abusing you."

"I know. But it's better than starving on the streets." He released his grip on her. "Please, Sorcha."

She shook her head first, but then nodded, "I never thought it was that bad."

"You weren't supposed to know. I…" he actually chuckled, "I can't even believe you know everything. In a matter of a week. I always thought I was good at hiding. But you… you should join the police, really."

"I was lucky. Well, not exactly." She raised her hand and touched his shoulder, tentatively. "I like you. I really do."

"Don't. Any good won't come out of that." He sighed. "Forget the shirt. I think it's better if I leave now." He put the shirt on again, hiding the bruises and welts. Then he limped to the door where he paused, "Sorcha… you are nice, you are really kind. I don't know what makes you do the things you do, but I am very thankful. Nothing more. So… if you harbour any deeper feelings for me, I think it's better if you forget them." He turned around one last time, "I'm sorry." Then he left.

Sorcha remained behind. When she heard the front door close, she walked over to the window, watching as Jim walked away, not turning back. She bit her lower lip and swallowed back the tears.

If anything, Jim hated himself for the first time now. And, he hated Brook. If his father was still alive, he wouldn't have to deal with this. He would have stayed in Dublin, and would probably just now experience his first fling with another teenage girl. Doing the things boys his age did: sharing first innocent kisses, holding hands walking in parks, first caresses, and yes, probably loosing virginity. As it was, Brook had destroyed that. Jim was pretty sure that, under other circumstances, Sorcha would be solid girlfriend material. But now… he didn't feel anything. Nothing. A whole lot of nothing. It wasn't even friendship that he felt. Just… thankfulness. And that wasn't a feeling where you could build relationships on. He hoped Sorcha would understand at some point. He really didn't mean to hurt her, but if she got attached like that after a week only, what would have happened if he hadn't told her right away? But that didn't change the feeling of hatred for Brook. The man who was so keen on destroying him.

I'm not particularly happy with this chapter.