DISCLAIMER: I do NOT own Wizards Of Waverly Place or its characters. Those rights belong to Disney and associates. I am NOT making any monetary profit from this.

A/N: Sorry for the delay in update. Had some... um... legal issues to deal with and I was making myself sick with the stress. But I'm all good. Things are all good. *looks away and whistles tunelessly* They'd be better if the economy would be better, too, just saying. Anyway, here's the next chapter. This story is definitely coming to an end, by the way. ='(

Someone To Save Me

Elm Treigh

10.

Alex entered her room. Feeling exhausted, she sat at the edge of her bed, thinking about her night. It wasn't what she had expected it to be, nor what she wanted it to be. She had hoped her time with Dean sans Carmen― after she forced him away from her― would have been better. Unfortunately, she was wrong.

Dean had spent his night scoping the fair for any signs of Carmen and Justin, though he would deny that was what he was doing when Alex pointed it out to him. He was distracted and distant with her the entire night. He had been that way for a while now, and she knew that Carmen had something to do with it. She knew Carmen was the blame.

Yet, when she saw the state Carmen was in at the door of her family's restaurant... Her bruised and swollen face. Her trembling, petite, figure. Her sad hazel-green eyes barely managing to stay open. The dried up blood on her face and the bruises she recalled witnessing... She understood now, that she had been wrong to blame Carmen for anything.

Carmen had never meant to be in between her relationship with Dean. She had done nothing to put a wedge in their relationship. If anything, she had been trying, vainly, to distance herself from him and suffer in silence. She didn't want anyone to pity her. She was willing to endure all the pain, Alex imagined she was going through, and keep everyone in the shadow, especially Dean, in hopes that things would be normal. She didn't want to worry anyone or be a burden. No, Carmen wasn't to blame at all. This was all Dean's doing.

Alex felt a twinge of guilt and shame grow inside of her as she realized she was believing the worst in Carmen on account of her own insecurities. Had she known the extent of Carmen's suffering or how damaged she truly was, then she would have made an effort to suppress the green monster. Had she realized sooner, rather than later, that Carmen was hurting a different kind of pain she was dealing with silently, than she would have been a better friend to her. She would have been there to help her. Support her. She would have been a better friend.

Tears slowly broke the barrier and slipped sadly down her cheeks. Poor Carmen. Who would do this to her? Who would hurt her? What did she ever do to deserve a beating? Alex thought sadly.

Her phone rang. She looked at the number. It was Harper. She wiped her tears away, and tried to control her emotions before answering.

"Hello?" She answered.

"Alex?"

"Hey, Harper," Alex said coolly.

"Is everything OK?"

"It will be."

"Well, Max and I are on our way up, so..."

"No, it's fine Harper. Thanks." Alex responded. She was glad she could always count on Harper.

"No problem, Alex. I'll see you in a bit."

"Alright," Alex replied and hung up the phone.

She stood up, straightened her appearance as close to normalcy as possible, and made her way downstairs to receive Max and Harper.

She walked past Justin's room and couldn't help but take a peek. She smiled at what she saw. Justin and Carmen were sleeping soundly in each other's arms; curled up together like two, adorable puppies. She sighed. Why couldn't her relationship with Dean be that way? Why couldn't they be as openly affectionate with one another as Carmen and Justin were?

She sighed again, and continued her journey to the living area. She arrived just as Max and Harper were entering.

"Alex! Oh man, you missed it! It was―" Max had begun but quit his mock boasting abruptly when he noticed his sisters saddened demeanor. "What's wrong?" He asked suspiciously.

"Nothing, Maxi," Alex dismissed.

"Where's Justin?" He tried again.

"He's sleeping in his room... with Carmen. She's spending the night," She explained.

"Carmen's here?" Max asked, surprised. Alex nodded. "Is she alright?" was his next question. He had noticed a few things himself. Alex nodded.

Max stared at her, curiously. He wasn't sure whether to believe Alex or not. Her track record with honesty suggested he shouldn't, but the way she was looking at him and the way she said it, suggested she was being truthful. Still, he had to make sure for himself. Dropping everything by the couch, he ran upstairs.

"Max! Don't wake them!" Alex called after him. But it was too late. Max was long gone. She sighed.

"Is she really OK?" Harper asked concerned as she walked in further to the Russo home.

Alex turned to face her best friend. A single tear strolling down her cheek. She sat down on the sofa, burying her face in her hands. She felt Harper sit beside her and envelop her in a hug, making cooing sounds to her.

"I'm not sure, Harper," Alex answered after a while.

"Do you know what happened?"

Alex shook her head in Harper's shoulder before pulling away to get a better look at her.

"Harper, she looked..." She began, tears beginning to slur her explanation. "Her face was swollen and she's going to have a black-eye and a bruise right under it and she has a fat lip with a cut that was surrounded with dry blood. But that's not all, Harper. I think those were new injuries. You should have seen the ones I saw on her when we were at the fair."

"She has more cuts and bruises?" Harper gasped, astounded at the news.

She had seen Carmen had been acting differently lately. She seemed more isolated from everyone and her wardrobe was different too. Carmen was bundling herself up as though she were constantly cold. Even on a warm day, which was odd. Harper was curious and intrigued by the new Carmen, but more importantly, she was concerned for the new Carmen. And now she knew why. Carmen was hurt.

Alex breathed in and then let it out slowly, to calm herself before continuing.

"Yes, Harper. Carmen has more cuts and bruises. I saw them when she was changing."

"Changing? Why was she changing?" Harper asked, confused.

Alex let out a sigh, and explained about Gigi's cruel joke on Carmen. How she and her friends ambushed Carmen and threw their food and drinks on her. How Carmen was upset, and how, since she was all sticky and she didn't want to leave early, she decided to change into Justin's shirt. The extra one, seeing as he was wearing two. She deliberately left out the part about the bleachers, about Carmen being wet, and topless with Justin nearby. She didn't think it was all that necessary to tell her that certain detail, considering Harper's insane crush on her brother.

"That's awful! Poor Carmen. So, she was covered in bruises?" Harper said, disbelievingly. Alex nodded. "Are you going to tell Dean?"

"I don't know," Alex shrugged. "Carmen doesn't want him to know how bad it is."

As if on cue, her phone rang. Alex checked the caller ID before answering, "Hi Dean... Uh... No. I haven't seen or heard from Carmen... Not that I know of... Well, he's asleep right now... No, I'm not going to wake him up!... Dean, it's been a long night and I'm tired. I'll call you tomorrow, alright?" She finished, hanging up the phone.

"Why didn't you tell him she was here?" Harper asked, worried for her friend.

"She doesn't want him to know, remember?" Alex answered, not looking at Harper.

"Oh yeah."

"Do you think I should have told him?" Alex asked suddenly, second guessing herself. Something she's not used to. She stared at Harper, to analyze through facial expressions what she thought.

Harper wrapped an arm around her dear friend and said, "I don't know, Alex. But if Carmen doesn't want him to know anything... I think we should respect her wishes."

Alex mulled that over, looked away, and replied, "I guess you're right. I just feel a little guilty about it, though. Dean has a right to know. He's going crazy not knowing what's wrong with Carmen. I would know. But, you're right. I shouldn't be the one to tell him."

"Exactly," Harper agreed. "Besides, he'll freak."

"Which is probably why Carmen doesn't want him to know anything." Alex thought aloud.

"She knows him best," Harper stated.

"She knows him best," Alex repeated with a tired sigh.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

"Mmm..." Justin murmured sleepily.

He slowly opened his eyes, feeling disoriented, but well rested. He hadn't felt that well rested in a while now. Not that he wasn't sleeping well before. Last nights rest was a different kind of well rested, that's all. He looked around his room. Everything seemed fine. He was laying in his bed comfortably. He stretched out his limbs, his arm extending toward Carmen. But all his hand felt was empty air, and bed covers. He turned on his right to see for himself. Maybe she was further out than he thought. Wrong. Carmen wasn't in bed at all. He sat up quickly, alert, looking around, but found no one. He was alone in his room. He saw no one, other than himself in his bed.

"Carmen?" He called out softly.

No answer.

He quickly crawled out of bed. He decided to check in Alex's room. Maybe Carmen felt too embarrassed about last night. Maybe she thought it wouldn't be alright to wake up in the same bed with him. Maybe she felt self conscious about it. He hoped she didn't feel any regrets about sleeping with him. It was one of the best nights he ever had. Just the two of them, asleep, holding each other. It was perfect on his account.

He reached Alex's room and noticed it was empty. The bed was not set. He could feel panic rising in him and decided to check Max's room. He highly doubted she'd be in there, but the paranoia was clouding his thoughts and he had to be sure. Empty. His breathing accelerated and he thought the worst.

What if she had second thoughts? What if she left when he was asleep, thinking it was for the best? Would she really try to solve her problems on her own? Would she really be willing to suffer in silence? Would she really believe she could do fine by herself? Did she think it would be best to leave him and Alex out of it to protect them? Where would she go? What if she was wandering the streets of New York?

He hoped she wasn't foolish enough to leave and walk aimlessly throughout New York. It wouldn't be safe. All he wanted was for her to give him a chance to help. He had hoped she would give him enough credit to at least help her. He knew she didn't want Dean to know because there was a possibility that Dean could make things worse for her or that he would do something illegal. She had her reasons, these were just what he thought could fall under her reasoning. But he couldn't understand why she would believe he couldn't know.

He all but ran downstairs, skipping steps at a time, on his way down. He needed to find Alex and ask her what happened to Carmen. Ask her if she's seen her try to sneak out. Anything, really, because she couldn't find him anywhere. He made it to the last step.

"Good morning, sleepy head." Chirped a female voice.

Justin looked up and let out a huge breath of sincere relief and joy. It was Carmen. She was in the kitchen cooking breakfast. Max and Alex were on the stools by the island, munching happily on the food Carmen made for them. Their faces displaying satisfaction. The aroma of Carmen's breakfast floated invitingly toward Justin and he sniffed it dreamily, imagining how delicious her food would be.

"Justin, you have to try Carmen's pancakes!" Max exclaimed. "They're delicious! Better than Mom's!"

Carmen smiled at Max. She placed a plate on the setting she laid out for Justin earlier and motioned for him to sit and eat. He obliged. Carmen poured him a glass of orange juice. Justin thanked her and looked down at his plate hungrily. There were two scrumptious, fluffy brown pancakes, accompanied by scrambled eggs, and two mouth-watering strips of bacon.

"You made all of this?" He asked her impressed, while taking a bite of his breakfast. He let out a pleasurable moan. It was the most delicious breakfast he had ever had!

Carmen smiled at the reaction her food received with the Russo's and nodded. "My mom used to always make me breakfast in the morning. I'd have pancakes, like, every two days or so. I figured since you were all kind enough to take me in last night, in my time of need, the least I could do was make you breakfast." She grinned warmly at them.

"And we appreciate it very much," Alex said enthusiastically, giving Carmen a genuine smile that Carmen was a little shocked to receive.

She smiled, however, and blushed at the compliments. "You're welcome," She said. "Do you like it Justin?"

Justin looked up from his plate, mouth full of pancakes and eggs, a strip of bacon in his hand, and nodded. He tried a smile but bits of eggs slipped out and he blushed. Carmen giggled. That would be a definite yes. She turned and began cleaning up her mess.

"Oh no, Carmen. You can leave that. We'll clean it up," Justin said after taking a gulp of his orange juice to wash down the food to speak.

Alex and Max stared at each other, then at Justin, and again at each other. A mock grin spreading across their faces. Yeah, right. They both thought.

Justin did not notice the gesture his siblings made. He looked down his plate to take another bite, but was surprised to see his plate was empty. He had finished his meal. His plate almost spotless. He frowned, then stood up, and took his plate to the sink, where Carmen was. Carmen took the plate from Justin's hands, and was about to scrub it, when it was yanked out of her hands.

"Carmen." Justin said firmly.

Carmen retrieved the plate from Justin. "Justin." She mimicked.

Justin sighed, and tried to take the plate from Carmen again, but Carmen had a firm hold. They were each tugging at the plate from either side, as though they were playing tug of war with the dish.

"Carmen." He repeated.

Carmen smiled at Justin, and tugged and pulled rather hard, until the plate was in her hand. "Seriously, Justin," She began. "I got this."

"No, Carmen," He replied. "You shouldn't have to wash dishes and clean up, when you were the one that made breakfast. We'll clean up. Right guys?" He said relaying his attention toward his younger siblings. Carmen following suit.

Alex and Max stared blankly at the two, before staring at one another for the second time that morning. They looked down at their plates, and without hesitation, gulped down their food quickly. After they were done, they stood, took their plates to the sink, and walked rapidly to the living room.

Carmen laughed, amused. "See? I don't mind, Justin. Really." She picked up Max's plate and washed and rinsed it and placed it with the other clean dishes.

Justin scowled at his siblings lack of manners and hospitality. He watched them sit on either side of the couch. Max stretching himself out, rubbing his stomach, looking content, Alex was doing the same, but in a lady like way, or as lady like as she could manage. Justin huffed disappointedly at the sight. He turned and took the dish Carmen had just finished washing and began to dry it. Carmen smiled at him and he returned it.

Just because the younger Russo's were a bit rude, didn't mean he had to be. Besides washing and drying dishes alongside Carmen wasn't so bad. He was standing beside her, elbows touching, hands gently caressing the other occasionally. It was nice. In all honesty, this is all he wanted. He wanted to be close to her. Feel her every chance he could. Smile at her, and receive a smile. Make her happy and keep her happy, as well as safe. He enjoyed seeing her blissful, and unharmed.

He regarded her figure for a moment. Unharmed. Carmen should be unharmed, however, all he could see was the shiner and the bruise underneath it. Her lip no longer puffy, but the cut was more prominent in view. He could see there was a tint of blueish purple surrounding the cut with markings that looked like teeth. He wondered if someone had bit her lip. He can feel anger rising inside him and decided to deflect it by observing her wardrobe, instead.

He was surprised to see she was still wearing the pajama's Alex had changed her in. He was a little amazed that Alex's pajama's fit Carmen. After all, Alex was taller and slimmer and Carmen was petite and curvier. He blushed at the thought. Maybe thinking about Carmen's small, curvaceous, figure, and her well developed breasts and... No. He had to stop. He can't be having these kind of thoughts so early in the morning, and not in the presence of his family. He tried to contain the warmth rushing to his face. That would just give it away.

He returned his attention to Carmen's face, to distract himself from his hormonal feelings. It was Carmen's face that was important. Her battered, black, blue, purple face. His jaw clenched with frustration and rage as he caught sight of her black eye. There had to be something he could do! There just had to be.

He was the smarter Russo. The sensitive Russo. The level-headed Russo. The Russo with a moral spine. And it was this that would, should, could help Carmen with her problem. He could help her. Except, Carmen seemed bent on ignoring the real reason for her spending the night and seeking his and Alex's help. She was going to do her best to avoid the subject. That's fine, for the moment. He could wait.

Once the dishes were done, dried, and put away, Carmen and Justin made their way toward the sofa to sit with the remainder of the Russo clan. Carmen grinned timidly at Alex and Max as she sat in the middle of the sofa. Justin sat beside her on her right. He laid his arm behind her on the sofa. Carmen leaned back on his arm, and scooted closer to him. Contouring the frame of her body to match his comfortably, and grinned widely as she realized she fit perfectly in his arms. They were meant to hold each other.

Alex could see the pleased comfort in Carmen's eyes and smile as Justin coated Carmen adoringly and protectively with his arms. She tried to give Carmen a real and sincere smile, but a grimace appeared instead. She hadn't intended to do that. Maybe she wasn't just jealous of Carmen and Dean's prior relationship, or of how much Dean cared for her. Maybe she was also jealous that her brother cared for her so fiercely and openly. That anyone and everyone that came in contact with her felt the need to protect her. She was envious of Carmen. Envious of her as a person. This was an emotion she had never truly felt with anyone, not even Gigi. Alex was not used to this and didn't know what she was supposed to do next. She looked away from the two, unable to see the adoration the two emanated.

Max, on the other hand, smiled a wide happy, enthusiastic, and hopeful smile. He was over his crush on Carmen. He had been for quite some time now. All that was left was an immense caring for her. And he really wanted to be present when Justin and Alex would have "The Talk" with Carmen about her problem and her injuries. He knew that would be coming soon. He could feel it. And he wanted to help. He wanted to be there for Carmen. He was very angered at the sight of Carmen's... unsightly face. He could help. He knew he could.

They sat in silence for what seemed like an eternity, allowing the food to digest itself. Carmen was fine with the silence, as was Justin. At the moment, he was rather enjoying having Carmen in his arms. Holding her, knowing she was safe in his embrace. She would always be safe in his embrace. Alex was the only one that was feeling restless. She wanted to get this over with. She wanted to find a solution and just go back to the way things were.

She broke the silence. "Carmen?" She asked.

Carmen turned at hearing her name. She was leaning against Justin so comfortably, her eyes were closed with the feeling of satisfaction. Alex saw this and the newly discovered jealousy sparked. She did her best to stomp it down and continued.

"We have to talk. All of us. Together." She said, being sure to make eye contact with Carmen, before slowly making eye contact with Justin, who was glaring a warning at her. Alex glared back, clearly not heeding the warning, and ignoring the hopeful look Max was giving.

Carmen broke from Justin's hold, sat up, and stiffened. She really didn't want to do this. Not now. Not ever. She was feeling safe and calm, but was brought abruptly back to reality. She could be jeopardizing Alex, Justin, and Max's safety. She wasn't sure why or from where she came to this conclusion, but she just knew her brother was well connected. And not in the sense that he could be helpful with his resources, or in the good, well-behaved-citizen kind of way. He was more connected in the same way the mafia would be. Like: I-need-a-guy-silenced-permanently kind of way. She could never forgive herself if anything happened to either of the three because of her. She was a coward.

Alex sensed Carmen's hesitation and she, as well as Justin― who moved to Carmen's either side; to get a better look at her― could see the worry evident on her face. She stood up and sat in front of her on the table. She took hold of Carmen's hands in her own and stared at her, sternly and intensely, square in the eyes.

"Carmen. We need you to tell us what happened last night. We need to know how you got those bruises on your face, and the ones all over your body," Max gasped at hearing Carmen had other injuries that were not on her face, but Alex continued. "We just want to help. Let us help you."

Justin nodded his agreement and placed an encouraging hand on her leg, while Max squeezed her shoulder gently, also as a sign of encouragement.

Carmen didn't notice Justin and Max's gesture. Her eyes were locked with Alex. They were glazed with an intensity, and concern that had her tranced. She could see that she really wanted to help her. That she wanted to see her unharmed. That she didn't want Carmen to suffer alone. She was willing to share the burden with her. Tears formed in Carmen's eyes. She hadn't realized how much the Russo family cared for her. She knew she cared for them, but had not expected to have the feelings returned. How could she not tell them?

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Dean slept a sleepless night. Every time he closed his eyes, an image of a beaten Carmen appeared. He would toss and turn with worry for her.

Alex had seen something. He knows she did. He knows that Alex knew something that he didn't. He knew she was lying to him last night when he called her. He suspected Carmen might have been spending the night with them from how evasive and uncooperative Alex was behaving over the phone. But he couldn't be sure for himself.

He wanted to be certain. He wanted to go and see for himself. But knew that he had gone too far with Alex. He had not been the ideal boyfriend, though Alex should have known he wouldn't be. The only person that had ever brought out the best in him was Carmen. Alex had made him want to be a better boyfriend because he truly cared for her. But it was different with Carmen.

He remembered when they were kids, Carmen used to help him with his homework. She was always patient with him whenever he didn't understand the assignments. She endured his tantrums. She endured his crude manners. She stuck by him through and through. She was so loyal to him.

He remembered she used to tell him repeatedly that it was alright that he didn't understand the assignments. That it didn't mean he was "stupid" or "slow" as the other kids used to call him. She would say that all it meant was that he was destined to do other things that didn't require him to be academically a genius. That he had a place in the world because everyone had a place. Everyone had a purpose. And his was to suck it up and do the best he can for now, so that he could continue, and do what he was meant to do.

She had always been that insightful. She had always been that sweet. And it was in those times that they were together, doing their homework, or playing a game, or just being around one another, that he loved her and wanted to protect her always.

He remembered how heartbroken he was that his parents divorced and he had to live with his mom in New York. It didn't matter all that much to him that his parents "broke up". He understood why they did, and he preferred them separated anyway. They weren't good together. But he and Carmen were perfect together! He didn't want to leave her, ever. And he did. He had no choice. It was the only time he cried.

However, now-a-days, he's been so upset with the new hostile Carmen, that there had been nights where he would wake with tears on his pillow, mixed with sweat. He would never be able to rest properly until he saved Carmen from the life that she was currently living, for any life that had her beaten to any shade that wasn't her beautiful, sun-kissed tanned color, than it was a life she needed to leave.

That's it! He was going to the Russo household and see for himself whether Carmen stayed the night or not. And if she did. He was going to demand that she tell him everything. He will demand that he allow him to help her.

He finished his breakfast and went to his room to get dressed. Today is the day.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

He placed an ice pack on his head.

That little bitch. He thought viciously.

He remembered the events that occurred the night before. He was drunk, feeling wretched as he always did when he thought of Carmen and the parents he lost. The fact that he was unable to swallow his pride and go to them and forgive them. Or give them the chance to ask him for his forgiveness, although it was clear that they weren't planning on doing even that.

He growled angrily. Carmen had always been the favorite Santiago. She was adored by everyone that encountered her. Anyone that came her way fell for her completely. They would cherish her. They would worship her. They would love her unconditionally. He was never able to bring those kind of emotions from anyone. He was never able to receive that kind of adoration from others. He knew the only person who ever truly loved him, adored him, worshiped him, and looked up to him was Carmen. And how does he repay such idolization? By beating her and nearly raping her.

He threw the ice pack at the wall ferociously. Why was it so hard for him to love his little sister like he used to? Why couldn't he forget the past and be grateful that he was presented with a second chance at redemption in the form of Carmen? Why couldn't Carmen allow him to have his fun with her?

"Damn it!" He growled.

He needed to find her. He needed to find her and silence her. Permanently. He had gone too far with her last night, and there was a great risk that she would finally break and spill the beans about everything he had been doing to her. He knew she hadn't told anyone because she had this blind love for him. He supposed he took advantage of that fact subconsciously, but he didn't care.

He doesn't care about any of that. He doesn't care about what Carmen feels anymore. He doesn't care if he knocks her out cold, or if he leaves her black, blue, purple, green, yellow. Hell, he doesn't even care if he leaves her looking like a battered doll. All that mattered now was that he find her, have his way with as he had wanted to, and then dispose of her for good.

He simply doesn't care about Carmen. He realized that he doesn't even love her. Not anymore. He wasn't sure when he stopped loving her, or how it came to that point, but once this revelation struck him, he felt a sense of euphoric relief. The world was no longer wearing him down. He was free of guilt. He was free of shame. He was free.

That little bitch is gonna get hers. She's gonna get hers. He thought maliciously, as a dark leer spread across his face.

A/N: Well, there you have it! Let me know what you think. ;)