So I hope I updated quick enough its been a busy week, but here it is regardless than you for all the reviews on the previous chapter (which by the way was the most painful to write by far) and I hope you enjoy this one.


Chapter 12

Naomi awoke with a throbbing head and a dry very sore throat. She had no idea where she was and for some reason was only able to see out of one eye. Trying to sit up she almost screamed in pain as her torso protested against the movement. Scanning the room she realized she was in a hospital bed and was wearing one god-awful gown to match.

"Naomi thank God," Gina said as she walked back into the room," How are you feeling?"

Looking at the concern on her mothers face she the events of the previous night all started flooding back to her at once. Going to the club, drinking, seeing Emily, more drinking, watching Emily kiss Lucas again, running out side and vomiting, being so drunk she could barely stand, the dark figure, pain, Lucas…

"Fucking hell," Naomi rasped," Christ my throat hurts."

"They had to pump your stomach dear you consumed a lot of alcohol," Gina brushed a stray hair away from her daughters now broken face," Here drink this it should help."

Naomi took the cup and drank the water feeling pain at first as she swallowed but then relief as her dry throat gained some moisture.

"Can we just go home," Naomi asked after handing the cup back to her mother," You know I hate hospitals."

"Well the police want you to make a statement," Gina answered," And some of you're friends are here and want to see you."

Naomi tensed at the mention of her friends, she remembered telling Cook not to call Emily quite vividly, and she didn't want the red head taking pity on her now that she was injured and feeling like she had to get back together with her.

"Who's here?" Naomi tried to sound calm.

"Well Effy, JJ, a tall dark haired boy and I think he said is name is Cook, the one who found you," Gina rhymed off," I was actually surprised that I haven't seen Emily poor thing must be having a fit over this."

"Emily doesn't know mum and I'd like to keep it that way," Naomi said with all the strength she could muster.

"Naomi she's your girlfriend she would want to know, I know you don't want to hurt or scare her but it will be worse if she finds out some other way," Gina chastised

"Emily broke up with me mum," Naomi sighed," Now promise me you wont call her, I don't want her to see me like this."

"What?" Gina exclaimed. This was the first she had heard of any break up, sure Naomi had seemed down the past couple days but Gina had just assumed it was Naomi going through another one of her moods, nothing to worry about," Okay I wont call her but you're going to have to talk to her eventually, now I'm going to go get your friends so they can see you quickly because the police are waiting."

Naomi nodded and watched her mother walk out of the room. Her body felt like it had been run over repeatedly and one side of her face felt painfully swollen. She wished she had a mirror so she could see what she looked like at least then she would be prepared for the looks of horror that were bound to be on her visitors faces.

"Christ as if my nose wasn't big enough," Naomi said to herself running her good hand over the metal brace that was placed over her nose.

"Just think maybe the remodel will look better," the distinct voice of Effy penetrated the room causing Naomi to look up with as much of a smile as she could muster with her swollen split lip.

"Hey," she replied watching her friends file into the room," You guys didn't have to stay you know, I'm fine really just a little roughed up is all."

"Naomi you basically had the shit beaten out of you in a back alley by some guy," Cook's voice was lacking any of the humor it usually possessed," Don't be flip about it."

"Do you have any idea who did it?" Freddie spoke up placing a comforting hand on Cook's shoulder; he had obviously been more than a little upset by last night's events.

Naomi looked down a minute her good hand fiddling with the edge of the cast on her wrist. She knew who did this to her but the others believing her that was another story.

"Yes," she finally said softly," I couldn't see his face but I know who it was."

"Who?" Effy said her eyes scanning Naomi's face for any hint.

"None of you will believe me," Naomi sighed

"Try us," Freddie urged.

"Lucas," Naomi said," He was yelling things at me that's what gave him away, he probably thought I wouldn't remember."

Freddie felt Cook tense under his hand after hearing Naomi's revelation, his jaw was set and hands were balled into fists at his sides.

"I'm going to kill him," Cook growled before turning and stomping out of the room.

"Look I believe you okay," Freddie said and Effy nodded along," but I've got to go and make sure he doesn't do anything stupid."

"Sure," Naomi nodded," Go ahead the police want to talk to me anyways and then I'm going home, it was nice of you to stay and when you find Cook tell him to be careful, something about Lucas didn't sound right last night like he snapped or something I don't want anyone else getting hurt."

"Sure," Freddie said though he had no intentions of calming Cook down as all he wanted to do was find Lucas and beat the living daylights out of him as well.

The group quickly filed back out of the room leaving Naomi alone once again.

A couple hours later after having another once over from her doctor and giving her statement to the police she was finally told that she would be able to go home now. Well it took her bitching to her mum, enough for her to talk to the doctor and tell him that she wanted to take Naomi home to get out of the hospital but it was well worth the wasted energy, she just wanted to be home in her own bed. Her mum had to step out of the room for a moment but promised to be back right away to help her get changed so they could go. She felt like a child again, her mother having to help her get dressed, but she had no choice as she couldn't lift her arms and could barely walk with the way her ribs were. Hearing a knock on the door followed by footsteps Naomi looked up to see Katie standing before her looking rather awkward.

"What's wrong Katie, last year you threatened me with this kind of harm to stay away from Em, figured you'd be happy yeah," Naomi joked.

Katie mustered a small smile.

"Ya but I wanted the pleasure of doing it, I feel cheated Campbell," she retorted," Listen I can't stay, I've got to get home before mum and dad realize I've not been home, had a little fun last night if you know what I mean."

"Lovely," Naomi replied sarcastically

"Well I didn't get the text explaining what happened last night till this morning and I came here straight away, just wanted to make sure you were okay," Katie continued

"I'm just peachy can't you tell?" Naomi replied.

"Well you never were much of a looker so Emily shouldn't mind," Katie joked without thinking about what she was saying.

"Sure," Naomi said," Look I didn't want to tell you this but I can't risk you going to see him or something, it was Lucas Katie." Naomi added really just wanting to change the subject off of Emily.

"No," Katie whispered, how could she have dated someone who was capable of doing this to anyone not alone a drunk and defenseless girl," Naomi I'm sorry."

"It's not your fault," Naomi chuckled for a minute but stopped quickly clutching her torso when she felt the shooting pains," I just want you to be careful, stay away for a bit."

"Naomi Lucas and I broke up earlier this week," Katie said," I was a little pissed about it but now I'm fucking glad."

"Good," Naomi nodded.

"Well I have to go but feel better soon, believe me I know how it feels," Katie brought her hand up to the side of her head under her hair revealing the small scar that still lingered.

Receiving a small smile from Naomi Katie walked out of the room quickly making her way out of the hospital and towards her house. She knew Emily must have been a mess and she really needed to get changed and try and find her sister, also she wondered if Emily knew it was Lucas who did it surely Emily would have called if she did know right?

Opening the front door and slipping in unnoticed Katie made her way quietly up the stairs not wanting to have to deal with her parents at the moment. She opened the door of her bedroom and let out a relieved sigh when she was safely inside the room with the door shut behind her.

"I told them you stayed at Pandora's, everything's fine."

Katie looked over to see Emily sitting on her bed idly flipping through the pages of a magazine. Not able to hide the confused look on her face she made her way closer to Emily and took the magazine out of her hands revealing her face. This was not what she expected, Emily didn't look shaken at all, she didn't have red eyes or any evidence that she had been crying, something didn't add up.

"What are you doing here?" Katie asked

"I live here Katie, I know you have the "I'm the important one" complex but if you haven't noticed I've been here for the past 17 years," Emily replied.

"Don't be a bitch," Katie said," I just figured you would have been at the hospital."

"Why would I be at the hospital," Emily look now mirrored her sisters.

"Jesus Em I know you guys are broken up or on a break or whatever but I thought you loved her, I just figured you would have wanted to make sure she was alright at least?" Katie said now almost feeling a little angry at her sister's apathy.

"What the fuck are you talking about?" Emily said the confusion evident in her voice.

That's when it dawned on Katie that Emily must not have known. She knew her sister well and if Emily had known there was no doubt in Katie's mind that she would have been a complete mess and keeping a constant vigil at Naomi's bedside.

"Christ you don't know do you?"

"Know what?" Emily sat up facing Katie searching her eyes for answers.

"Fuck," Katie sighed," I don't want to have to tell you this…" she trailed off seeing the worry in her sister's eyes.

"Tell me what Katie," Emily demanded.

"It's Naomi," Katie said placing a hand on Emily's one that was now shaking against her knee," She was…well attacked last night outside the club."

Emily felt like the walls were caving in on her, like the ceiling was falling down and she couldn't breathe under the weight of it. It was like she was trapped in one of her nightmares only this time there was no waking up in Naomi's arms and hearing the blonde whisper comforting words in her ear as she calmed down.

"W-what," Emily mustered her hands shaking as he brought them up to rub her temples.

"I don't really know what happened because I wasn't there, Cook actually found her made sure she was okay and called an ambulance," Katie rambled.

"She is okay right?" Emily's eyes pleaded with Katie to agree with her statement as she felt them stinging with tears.

"Yeah she's okay," Katie assured her," Still the same sarcastic Campbell when I went to see her this morning."

"Why didn't you call me," Emily said frantically," Why didn't anyone call me!"

"I thought you knew, I just thought you were off pulling yourself together or something when I was there," Katie explained," As for the others I have no idea."

"I have to go," Emily jumped up from the bed sniffing back the tears that were threatening to fall," I have to see her."

"Okay she said she was leaving right away so she is probably at home by now," Katie said," And Em she looks well a little rough just be prepared okay."

Emily didn't reply she just walked out of the room wondering how it was possible for her to be prepared to see the love of her life look as Katie put it "a little rough". She knew Katie had said Naomi was okay but she had a terrible feeling in the pit of her stomach and she knew it wouldn't go away until she saw the blonde for herself, saw with her own eyes that Naomi was okay.

Reaching Naomi's bedroom door Emily knocked lightly on the red painted wood receiving no answer she assumed that Gina had been right when she said that Naomi had probably fallen asleep since she had taken some fairly strong pain meds. Taking a deep breath Emily opened the door quietly and slipped inside, she was almost scared to look over at the bed but forced herself anyways. Naomi was sleeping slightly on her side facing away from Emily, the duvet pulled up high around her face but her broken wrist was protruding and Emily caught a glimpse of the brace on her nose as well.

"Not as bad as I expected," Emily sighed as she made her way over to Naomi taking a seat on the edge of her bed and grasping her bandaged hand.

Bringing it up to her mouth she kissed it gently and gave it a little squeeze perhaps a little to hard because she felt Naomi beginning to stir.

"Mum I'm fine just leave me alone," Naomi said without moving, her voice muffled by the pillow.

"Its me," Emily said simply knowing Naomi would know who it was," Your voice is so hoarse Nai you almost sound like me."

Naomi even in her drowsy state could recognize the voice coming from behind her; her mind was racing trying to figure out how Emily knew finally settling on the obvious choice, that Katie had told her. Her heart was beating wildly at Emily's proximity; this was the closest they had been in days.

"Em," Naomi said," What are you doing here?"

The question startled Emily, where else would she be? Naomi must know that there is no other place she would be able to be right now right?

"Where else would I be right now?" Emily replied still looking at the side of Naomi's face as she hadn't turned to face her," Naomi will you look at me please?"

"Okay," Naomi groaned," Just…just don't freak out okay."

Emily didn't know what she meant by that statement until Naomi turned with great effort by the looks of it onto her back turning her head so she was making eye contact with the red head. Emily's breath caught in her throat as she took in the sight before her, Naomi's perfect face all black and blue on the one side, her left eye completely swollen shut and her lip was split and swollen to match. With a shaky hand Emily reached out slowly to touch the bruised side of Naomi's face tears springing to her eyes when Naomi winced. It was too much she couldn't stand to look at it so she turned her face away.

"Jesus Christ," Emily breathed before looking back at Naomi through teary eyes

"Fuck am I that ugly? No need to cry now," Naomi tried to joke.

"Well what do you expect me to do," Emily said through sobs," I just don't understand why someone would do this, what happened?"

Naomi was brought back to reality, she was supposed to be upset with Emily for breaking up with her and then getting with Lucas like she wanted Naomi to see, like she wanted to hurt her, not to mention her new boyfriend or whatever he is to Emily had been the one to do this.

"I was drunk and got jumped," Naomi replied.

"You shouldn't have run outside alone like that," Emily said a little harsher than she intended.

"So its my fault then?" Naomi replied equally as harsh.

"No," Emily's voice softened considerably and she added through more tears," You promised…you said nothing reckless ever again no matter what I've done."

Naomi looked at her a minute feeling the urge to comfort the girl in front of her but that was quickly overcome by anger as she kept picturing the reason she ran outside in the first place.

"What so I was supposed to stay inside and watch you and you're new boyfriend is that it?" Naomi averted her eye.

"Naomi what you saw was Lucas kissing me again I didn't kiss him back I swear I would never do that to you," Emily explained," And I know I've been a twat about everything but I believe you, you were right all along about him and I'm sorry I didn't listen."

Naomi didn't know what to say, this was not what she expected at all. She had come to the conclusion after their last fight that Emily was never going to listen to her that it was a lost cause. The only way this made sense was if Lucas finally told her, "yes" Naomi thought in her moment of clarity, it all made sense now his anger the things he was saying. Lucas had finally come clean to Emily and she had rejected him, Naomi couldn't help the way her heart was swelling in her chest at the thought of Emily choosing her over Lucas.

"Why didn't anyone call me?" Emily asked after Naomi was taking to long to respond

"Don't be angry with them, I told Cook not to tell you," Naomi confessed.

"Why?" Emily exclaimed," I had to hear about it from Katie of all people, its not right!"

"I was afraid you wouldn't care," Naomi whispered loud enough for Emily to barely hear.

"Christ of course I care its killing me to see you like this, killing me even more that I wasn't there for you last night, what made you think I wouldn't care," Emily said choking back the new tide of tears she could feel forming.

"You broke up with me," Naomi said sadly.

"Because I was mad at you not because I stopped loving you," Emily exclaimed," I love you so much it hurts Naomi I'm sorry if I did anything to make you question that."

"I love you too," Naomi reciprocated," But can we not talk about everything right now, my head is spinning?"

"Okay," Emily replied softly but still wondering what this meant, were they back together or still on a break or stuck in limbo somewhere in between? But she didn't want to push Naomi right now.

Naomi could sense Emily's confusion and lifted her arms slightly beckoning the smaller girl into a hug which Emily accepted burying her face into Naomi's neck when she felt more tears flowing.

"Christ I was so worried I don't know what I'd do without you Nai," Emily spoke into Naomi's neck," It was like my nightmares coming true or something."

"Its okay," Naomi tried to soothe," I said I wasn't going anywhere didn't I?"

She felt Emily nodding and then felt Emily's arm snake around her waist and squeeze painfully tight for Naomi's condition. She winced quite visibly her hands digging roughly into Emily's back.

"Whats wrong, did I hurt you?" Emily snapped back quickly

"Its okay you didn't know," Naomi grimaced as she attempted to sit up slightly the duvet falling off her slightly.

"You're not wearing a shirt, interesting," Emily kinked her eyebrow at seeing Naomi in her bra.

"Well I wanted a shower and I couldn't get my shirt back on, it fucking hurts to lift my arms," Naomi explained," And I'm tired of my mum treating me like an invalid."

"Sore ribs?" Emily asked

"Ya a couple broken ones, a couple fractured," Naomi agreed.

"Well aren't you supposed to be wearing a bandage or something?" Emily pointed out.

"No apparently they don't do that anymore, I guess it causes more trouble than it helps," Naomi replied

"Well here," Emily said while getting up and pulling a loose fitting button up shirt from Naomi's dresser," Put this on."

"Why you don't want to see me in my underwear?" Naomi said playfully

"Fucking hell you have a one track mind don't you Nai," Emily chuckled to herself.

"Whatever," Naomi dismissed and sat up with great effort pushing the duvet off her completely in to process.

Emily couldn't breathe when she got close enough to get a look at Naomi's midsection, the way it was riddled with bruises as if someone was really trying to hurt her when they did this.

"Jesus," Emily brought her hand forward to lightly trace the bruises," Does it hurt?"

"Only when I breathe or move," Naomi laughed scolding herself when she felt the familiar sharp pains," Or laugh apparently."

"Here," Emily took the shirt and took turns putting Naomi's arms through the holes so the she wouldn't have to move much," Was that alright?"

"Yeah," Naomi assured her whilst buttoning up the top.

Naomi slowly crawled back under her covers grimacing until she found a comfortable position. A gentle smile took over her features as she watched Emily standing awkwardly at the end of her bed. Emily wasn't sure how to act, she didn't know what they were and it was all just a little weird. If this was mere days ago she would have known exactly how to act, she would have crawled in next to Naomi and kissed every visible bruise until Naomi felt better. But now she had no idea whether he presence would be comforting to Naomi or if it would only serve to make things worse so she stood there waiting to get some sort of clue of what she should do.

"Lay with me," Naomi said ending Emily's inner turmoil

Emily gladly made her way over laying next to Naomi facing her sighing contentedly when Naomi moved so her head was resting on her shoulder giving her silent permission to envelope the blonde into an embrace, a loose one as she feared hurting Naomi but an embrace none the less. After a few minutes Emily could hear Naomi's rhythmic breathing giving away that she had fallen asleep giving Emily's leave to wander. There were so many emotions flowing through her veins thats she didn't know what to focus on. First off there was slight relief, Naomi was okay, she was a little battered and bruised but she was here in Emily's arms safe where she belonged. Though the terror Emily felt earlier wasn't far from her mind, when Katie uttered those words in that split second Emily had actually thought she had lost Naomi and now she intended to make it her personal mission to make sure nothing like this ever happened again. Next and the strongest was anger, it only took one look at the marks scattered over Naomi's body for the anger to start surging through Emily's body to the point where she really wasn't sure what she would do if she came face to face with the person who did this, she had feeling that she would likely kill him and the thought scared her. Placing a kiss on Naomi's forehead Emily relaxed as best she could and closed her eyes hoping to give her head a rest.

The relaxation lasted all of ten minutes before Emily's phone started ringing loudly, Emily did her best to grab it before Naomi awoke but it was no use.

"Who's that?" Naomi said groggily when she saw the look on Emily's face as she looked at the screen.

"No one," Emily replied shutting her phone and throwing it on the floor

"Em it was obviously some one for you to have that reaction," Naomi said not convinced.

"He doesn't matter," Emily replied scooting closer to Naomi

Naomi had a pretty good idea who the "he" Emily was referring to was, and the thought of him getting anywhere close to Emily both terrified and angered her beyond belief, Naomi knew she would rather take another beating than allow anyone to hurt Emily.

"You're still talking to him?"

"No!" Emily exclaimed," its not like that I swear, he probably just wants to apologize for last night you know for being a prick and he grabbed my wrist a little tight. But i'm not going to talk to him i'm done I promise."

Naomi hadn't heard much after "he grabbed my wrist a little tight" and she was now seeing red.

"He hurt you?" Naomi growled

"Not really, Freddie came and chased him away and walked me home," Emily explained," Its okay," Emily couldn't help but chuckle, Naomi in her state was angry that Lucas had grabbed her wrist it was all a little ridiculous.

"Look promise me you'll stay away from him," Naomi said seriously.

"I have no interest in seeing him ever again," Emily insisted," I love you and i'm sorry about everything I was stupid," Emily continued rambling.

"Its not about that," Naomi cut her off," I just really need you to promise me that you'll stay away from him."

"What is this about?" Emily asked sensing there was more to this than Naomi's jealousy over Lucas

"It was Lucas," Naomi replied slowly hoping Emily would understand without her having to explain everything, but no such luck because Emily was looking at her completely confused," he's the one who attacked me."

Emily's eyes widened, she had not expected Naomi to come out with that.

"What?" she replied shakily," You saw him, fucking hell why isn't he in custody or something."

"Well he had a hood up and it was dark so no but I know it was him," Naomi tried to explain.

"If you didn't see him than how do you know it was him?" Emily wondered aloud, she didn't want to anger Naomi but none of this made sense to her.

"He was saying things," Naomi replied

"What kind of things," Emily pushed.

"It doesn't matter," Naomi tried to avoid the question," It will just upset you."

"Naomi," Emily pushed

"He... well shouted "you don't deserve her" and something along the lines of "she chose you" or "you're pathetic" or something I can't really remember the last bit I was out of it by then," Naomi said," And he smashed my phone when you called it."

Emily didn't think she had any tears left to cry today but she was proven wrong when a fresh batch formed upon the realization that everything that had happened was her fault. She was the one who brought Lucas into their lives, it was her that he was fixated on and she was to stubborn to listen to Naomi when she warned her, she was the reason Naomi ran outside that night and she was the reason Lucas was so angry.

"Its all my fault," Emily choked out," Im so sorry."

"No Em don't do that," Naomi replied," Thats why I didn't want to tell you."

"Because you know its true, I might as well have done this to you myself," Emily backed up feeling disgusted with herself.

"Emily don't be ridiculous," Naomi said softly," Everyone is responsible for their own actions, you didn't make him do this."

"I made him angry," Emily disagreed," He told me how he felt and I said that he could never compare to you, I'm the reason you drank so much, I did this."

"Em please don't do that to yourself," Naomi pleaded," Just come back over here and stay with me."

Emily softened a bit at Naomi's plea and began walking back towards the bed until she heard her phone buzzing again. She bent down to pick it up and tensed when she saw his name flashing over the screen. Emily wondered how he had the nerve to call her after everything that had happened, everything that he had done. She was so angry now that she was visibly shaking and Naomi was looking at her quite worried. Emily's face was contorted in a way Naomi had never seen before, and all she could see in her eyes was rage all the softness that usually graced Emily seemed to have disappeared and it scared Naomi.

"Em," Naomi started to try and get up.

"I have to go," Emily spoke hard

"No," Naomi pleaded," You promised!"

"I just have to do something," Emily said in the same tone," i'll be back soon."

"Please don't," Naomi cried," Don't scare me just stay."

"I can't," Emily took one last look at Naomi before walking out the door leaving Naomi crying in her room.

She had to find Lucas, she wasn't going to allow him to get away with this. She didn't know what she was going to do but she just knew she couldn't sit around idly while he was walking around free all smug.

Naomi took a moment to contain her panic, she was terrified for Emily something in Lucas snapped when he got rejected and Naomi didn't want to think about what would happen if Emily was alone with him. She is so small and fragile, she wouldn't be able to defend herself. Picking up her house phone she dialed Emily almost crying in frustration when she got no answer. Naomi's mind was racing, normally she would have just followed Emily and forced her to let it go, but she was in no state to be moving around, and she wouldn't be able to stop Emily there was nothing she could do. Picking up the phone again she dialed the only other number she knew by heart feeling a little relief when she heard Effy answer.

"How are you feeling?" Effy asked

"Emily knows," Naomi could feel her panic rising again," She went to find Lucas."

"What?" Effy said hoping she heard Naomi wrong.

"She thinks everything was her fault and she just stormed out of here saying she had to do something," Naomi said frantically.

"Fucking hell," Effy replied," Don't worry i'll find her."

"Please," Naomi said desperately," I can handle everything happening to me but I don't know what i'd do if something happened to Emily."

"I promise nothing will happen to her," Effy said

"Thanks Ef," Naomi breathed a small sigh of relief.

Hanging up the phone Naomi laid back down under her covers still clutching the phone in her hand praying that Emily would come to her senses and come back to her or at least call.