I woke up later that day, I looked at the clock 3:17 P.M. Damn, I slept a lot today, but can you blame me? I got out of bed and put a sweater on, going into the bathroom to fix my hair real quick before I opened my door walking out to the livingroom. Joe was sitting on the couch, shifting through channels when he looked up at me, then turned back to the tv not saying a word. I can't say I blame him, I was so rude to him earlier, he's probably afraid to say anything because I might freak again. After I saw him turn back to the tv, not saying anything I sighed and walked over to him and sat on the couch next to him and looked at him for a few seconds, finally realizing he's not gonna strike the conversation "I'm sorry" I finally spoke "what?" Joe replied in an almost surprised voice "I'm sorry" I repeated "I was such a bitch to you in the bedroom, you don't deserve that. You were the one who saved me from Cody" I saw him tense up, his jaws clench, and his hands turning to fists at the sound of his name. I put my hand ontop of his "if anything, I should be thanking you, not kicking you out of my room" he relaxed a little when I touched him "so, I'm truly sorry" he looked at me "I should've just left you alone, I could tell you were upset when you went to your room, but I had the thought in my head that you needed to be comforted, so I followed you, but I should've just left you alone" I shook my head "no, I appreciate the fact that you were there to comfort me, I do, it's just..." I sighed "I am happy Cody is in custody, but after everything, it might take me a while to get back to my normal self" Joe nodded "I understand that, you've been through hell and back through these past few months, I'm surprised you're coping as well as you are, if that was me I would be a broken down pile of waste in the corner, so don't feel the need to be strong for anyone. You can let your guard down, you can break down every day and every night and I'll always be here, whenever you need me" I smiled "thank you Joe. I really needed to hear that" - "any time Miley" I smiled at him and heard my stomach grumble "you hungry?" Joe asked and I nodded "there's left over pancakes in the fidge", I got up and took them out of the fridge before stuffing my face

Later that day I walked down the hallway grabbing my jacket and putting on a cozy pair of shoes "where are you going?" Joe asked "out" - "It's getting dark Miley" - "I can handle it Joe" I said closing the door behind me, It wasn't long until I heard the door shut again "Miley, after everything that just happened, I don't think you should walk out in the dark by yourself" - "trust me Joe, I'll be fine" he sighed "just let me walk with you, please?" - "I really want to be alone right now" - "I'll keep my distance, you won't even know I'm here. I just need to know that you'll be safe" I sighed "fine, but don't let me hear you" - "promise" Joe said as he slowed his walking to let me get ahead of him. Even though it felt nice to walk in the cool air, it still felt awkward 'cause I knew Joe was following me, watching every move I make. I turned a corner and continued on and on until I make a huge circle around my block. It wasn't a very long walk, just enough for me to clear my mind, well, and the cool air relaxes me. I turned back onto our street and walked into the house again taking off my jacket and shoes walking into my bedroom to change, coming back out laying down on the couch. Joe plopped down on the other side of the couch letting out an exhausting sigh, I chuckled to myself finding it funny how easily he gets exhausted, concidering I run almost 2 miles every morning. I flipped through the tv channels until I threw the remote on the couch, finding myself slowing dozing off to sleep. I can't even imagine how I could be tired since I slept almost 12 hours last night, but I was, and it wasn't very long until I was out cold on the couch. I felt arms going around me then I felt weightless, I slowly opened my eyes to see that Joe was carrying me, and surprisingly I felt safe in his arms, something I haven't felt in a long time. Then the feeling went from his firm arms to a soft surface, my bed. Joe laid me down pulling the covers over me "goodnight Miley" he whispered and turned around, I caught his arm before he could get any distance "please" I mumbled "stay with me" I felt the urge to feel his arms around me again, to feel safe, he turned around again kneeling down in front of me "of course, but I've got to go change, I'll be back in a few minutes" I nodded and closed my eyes relaxing into my own bed, then I felt the bed shift behind me letting me know Joe had laid down, then the comfort I so desperately wanted finally came, he wrapped his arms around me and pulled me into his chest, his warm breath on the back of my neck, then I relaxed completely, knowing I won't be sleeping alone tonight.