Jeremy could hear the police car pull into the drive way. He stood up from bending over Reba. He pulled Reba to the stairs, pushing her onto them.

"Stay there and don't say a word!" Reba sat on the stairs, holding her breath so not to make a sound. Jeremy opened the door, seeing two police office standing on the other side. Both stood proudly in their uniforms. One was young, well-built, and tall. The other male officer was a few years older, slightly heavy, and short. Jeremy held the door halfway opened, blocking the rest of the view with his body.

"May I help you, Officer...?" Jeremy kept his eyes on the first officer.

"Officer Taylor, and I received a 911 call stating there was a lot of screaming and loud crashes coming from this address. Is everything ok?" Officer Paul Taylor wonder if this intense eye contact was to be intimadating him. He laughed on the inside, keeping a straight face on the outside. This was not the first time someone had tried that.

"Oh, yes, sir. My girlfriend and I were watching a scary movie. I snuck up behind her, and she started throwing things and screaming. It took me a good ten minutes just to convince her it was really me. She takes scary movies a little too serious. Maybe that's why she doesn't like scary movies." Jeremy finished with a loud, strong laugh. Reba watched him as she listened to the conversation.

"Mr...?" Officer Taylor kindly asked for Jeremy's name.

"Jeremy Shelton." Jeremy leaned back a little to look at Reba through the corner of his eyes. She hadn't moved a muscle since he opened the door, and her face was gaining a red color. He didn't understand that one, yet. He'd have to check it out in a minute.

"Mr. Shelton, this house is owned by a Ms. Reba Hart. Is she your..." He trailed his question, hoping Jeremy would fill it in for him. Something didn't feel right about this. He knew there was no real evidence that anything was wrong, and his story did make sense. Officer Taylor tried to glance around the room when Jeremy leaned back, but he didn't see much. His partner, Officer William Gray, was doing his usual act of boredom, but in reality he was taking glances around the yard. He could look any where with that act, and pulled it off well.

"Girlfriend. She's my girlfriend. I've been living here for a little over a month now." Jeremy took a long glance at the other officer. He seemed like he was up to no good. He never kept his eyes on one thing for too long. Jeremy didn't like that.

"Umm..What's your name, sir?" Jeremy spoke directly to the other officer. His attention quickly jerked to Jeremy.

"Oh, It's Officer Gray." He kept his eyes on Jeremy for a few seconds after he turned back to Officer Taylor. He was used to people being nervous enough to catch his lack of attention, and was always prepared to fool them. It was one of his many talents.

"Mr. Shelton...do you mind if we take a look around?" Officer Taylor wasn't really expecting anything to be wrong or suspicous. He just wanted to check things out, and it was procedure. He took his job very seriously, and so did his partner.

"Why?" Jeremy asked in a monotone. He didn't want them to come in at all, but he didn't want them to hear it in his voice. They would take it as a sign of something being wrong. Jeremy stood his ground, glancing at Reba once more. Officer Gray had seen every glance, and each time a smile was being forced away from the man's face.

"It's just procedure. We have to make sure everything is ok, and it's nothing too serious." Officer Gray waited for another glance as he spoke. This man was hiding something, and was very good at it. Officer Gray hadn't been able to see inside, and he could tell his partner hadn't either.

"Oh, well, come on in. It's still a little messy from my girlfriend. She gets scared way too easily." Jeremy laughed again, looking to Reba. She stood up, backing up a few stairs. There was no telling what he was thinking now. She swallowed what breath she had left, and quickly caught her breathing. Jeremy opened the door, letting both officers enter the house.

"Oh, hello, ma'am. We're just takin' a look around." Officer Taylor always had respect for people, and never went any where without his manners. He often played the good cop while Officer Gray played the bad cop. He had his manners, too, though. Reba gave him a small smile. She wasn't completely sure what to do. She didn't know if she should walk to Jeremy, stay where she was, or leave the room. She hoped Jeremy would drop a hint soon. Officer Gray could tell she was nervous, and her appearence was a bit shocking. He knew exactly who she was. He'd seen her face on bus benches before. She looked totally different now, the exact opposite of what he's seen before. He took a look around the room, glancing at family pictures. He now knew she didn't let herself go just because she was off from work.

"What happened to this cell phone?" Officer Taylor asked, looking up to the adults. Jeremy laughed a little before pointing to Reba. She tensed a little bit, and both officers noticed.

"I scared her, remember." Officer Taylor shook his head, going back to looking around the room. There wasn't a lot he could look at without a warrant. He sighed as he took one last look at a picture. It had a young redheaded woman. It took him a minute to figure out exactly where he knew her from. She had came to the station wanting some advice. She had even told him about her mother's recent relationship, and the fact she was worried about it. They had kept in contact until a week ago. He wasn't sure if that was a good thing or not, but at the time he assumed it was a good thing. Officer Taylor picked the picture up, facing it towards Reba. Jeremy leaned to the side so he could see what picture it was.

"Do you mind telling me who this is?" He held the picture as Jeremy walked to him. Jeremy took the picture from his hand, looking at it for a split second.

"It's her daughter Kyra. Why?" Jeremy set the picture back down, staring the officer in the eyes once again. The intense eye contact still wasn't working on this man.

"Oh, I saw her band perform once. I was just wondering." The name confirmed who he thought she was. He wasn't sure what to do next. It might still be at the beginning stages, and that meant there was still time for Reba to get herself out. Or it could already be too late for her to get out on her own, and even then there wasn't much he could do. She'd have to be completely ready to leave him. He looked to his partner, who seemed to be thinking the same thing. He walked to him.

"What do you think?" He whispered, his back turned towards Reba and Jeremy. Officer Gray thought for a moment. They still needed more evidence. He looked to Reba, thinking of a quick question. He wanted to see if she would answer the question or if Jeremy would take the lead again.

"Ma'am, you sell houses, right?" Jeremy answered for her. She glanced at the officers, mouthing a quick help. They were in a bit of shock, but their faces never showed it. Officer Gray looked back to his partner, hoping for a signal to do something. Officer Taylor remembered Kyra saying her mother was brave and strong, but he'd never seen someone in this situation go to that level. He quickly pulled himself together.

"Uh, we had a buddy at the station who wanted to sell his house. He told us to look out for a realtor for him." Officer Taylor tried to answer Jeremy's question, but was cut off by Jeremy himself.

"Oh, she'd love to sell that house, but she was thinking of quitting her job. I don't think that would be such a great idea." Jeremy gave them a smug smile. Reba looked to Jeremy in disappointment and hurt. She didn't want to quit her job. She was finally moving up, and had a great job offer. She loved her job.

"Oh, well, he can find someone else. If ya'll don't mind...we'd like to talk to you seperately. Once again, it's procedure." Officer Gray stepped towards Jeremy. Officer Taylor followed close behind. Jeremy looked to Reba, giving her a 'be careful' stare. He started for the door, and Reba followed the men quietly. She was scared to death. She had no idea what she was going to do now. She only wanted them to take her or Jeremy away from the house, not take them both outside just to talk. She took a deep breath as Officer Taylor led her over to the police car, and Officer Gray took Jeremy to the other side of the yard. She just knew there was going to be a lot of pay back later. Reba wrapped her arms around her body.

"Are you cold?" Officer Taylor went to grab a jacket from the front seat, but she shook her head no. It was a very warm day today. Why would he think she was cold? He must of been raised to be a gentleman. Reba took the chance to give him a look over. His hair was blonde, and his eyes were brown. His uniform fit him nicely, and he stood strong. Officer Taylor was hoping she'd say something first.

"Ma'am, would you mind telling me what was happening?" Reba took her eyes off of him. She couldn't look at anyone right now. It was still fresh in her mind. The pain and fear would never leave her now. She knew this to be a fact. She looked past the officer's body, staring at Jeremy. He seemed to be watching her. He was waiting on her to make a mistake. Reba could still see the way his eyes looked. They were cold like stones, and she couldn't help but think of the old saying...

sticks and stones may break my bones, but words shall never hurt me...that's a total lie. He's the sticks and stones that breaks my bones..AND the his words cut me like a knife...there's no truth in that saying at all. I'm weak and everything will hurt me.

Reba gripped her body tighter. She wanted to go back inside.

..Go inside and let him have all control...for he is strong enough to protect us both...i need..

"Ms. Hart, I can't help you...unless you tell me what happened." Reba kept her eyes to the ground, her mouth shut tightly. She would not say a word.

"Ms. Hart?" Reba closed her eyes at the calling of her last name. The name she shared with a man who she had loved with all her heart. The man that later broke her heart, and left her to pick up a life on her own.

he didn't leave me completely. he stayed around to bug me. he helped out with the kids. the only thing that caused him to leave was a stupid mid-life crisis. even now after his and BJ's divorce...he stayed to help me. even with a relationship like this one...he's wanting to help...wanting to protect me...i don't need Jeremy. I can handle anything with the support of my family.

Reba looked up to Jeremy, giving him a smug smile. She turned her head to the officer, ready to say something, but she stopped. She was still afraid.

this man is stronger and smarter than me...he knows what he's doing...i have no clue...i wish Brock was here to help...i need him..

At that moment, every one's head was jerked to the truck that just skidded into the drive way. Reba knew who it was instantly. The man jumped out of his truck, nearly falling as he ran to Reba. She no longer seemed to worry about Jeremy or any of the after affects of telling. She was safe, and she wouldn't have to worry about a single thing. Brock was here to save her. Reba wanted to throw her arms around his neck and almost did so, but the officer stopped her.

"May I help you, sir?" Officer Taylor held his arm out, stopping Reba's body from coming in contact with this man. She locked eyes with Brock, and everything seemed to pour out of her. She didn't care that Jeremy could hear every word she spoke, or the fact the other officer was tackling him as Jeremy ran towards her. She knew what she had to do, and nothing was going to stop her now. She was finally safe and out of this nightmare. Reba felt her body being pushed gently away from the police car. She walked backwards, never losing the eye contact she had with Brock. Officer Taylor asked Brock to follow them, which he gladly accepted. Once Officer Taylor had Reba at a safe distance, he ran back to help his partner.

"Reba, Honey, are you ok?" Brock sat next to Reba on the bench. She had only said one thing before they were moved. Her eyes were wide and locked on the scene before her. The officers were trying to keep Jeremy away from her, and he was making it quite difficult. She felt Brock's hand on her shoulder, and she jumped. She stood up quickly, and made her way across the porch. She sat with her back to Brock, her knees drawn up to her chin. She folded her arms around her legs. Everything was back in an instant: the way it felt, the way he looked, and the way it happened. She felt like she was in a pool of dirt up to her chin. Reba wanted to take a shower, and would have if she wasn't so afraid to move from her current position. Brock stepped up beside her.

"Reba...tell me what happened." Brock was dying to know what was making her act this way. She was one to always speak her mind. He put his hand on her shoulder again. Reba tensed under his touch, and tightened her hold on her legs. Brock took his hand away, sitting next to Reba.

She took a deep breath, not wanting to ever talk again. She wanted to lock herself in a room and never come out. She wanted to be left alone for the rest of her life.

"Get away from me." Her voice was cold and distant, and her eyes were glazed over as she stared into space. Brock backed away from her, but was not about to give in.

"Reba..."

"Leave me alone." She remained the same as before. He was even more worried now. She was not being her usual self. He wanted to hold her and tell her everything would be ok, but she wanted him to leave her alone.

"Reba, I want to know what's wrong." She turned her head to look at him. It was then he could see everything she felt and thought. She was scared, worried, hurt, and broken.

"You don't get everything you want, Brock. I didn't." She turned her head back to the front yard. The police officers had managed to get Jeremy into the back seat of their car, and one was taking him to the station. Reba watched Officer Gray walk towards them.

"Reba, Honey, please tell me." She didn't say anything. He wouldn't understand.

"Please...I can help." She jerked her head towards him again. This time all the emotions were increased by two times what she previously had.

"No...you can't. No body can help me. I'll forever be his! He has me in a place I will never get out of. Why won't you just take the kids and never come back." Brock recovered quickly from his shock. He put on a straight face, sitting back down next to Reba. He wanted to comfort her, but as he lifted his hand, she tensed and turned away. He lowered his hand immediately. He'd never seen her this way, and he didn't like it one bit.

"Reba, will you please tell me what he did to you?" She rested her forehead on her knees as she started to cry. She took a deep breath, looking back to Brock.

"I just feel so...dirty!" Reba was crying harder than Brock had ever seen before. He had an idea what could have happened, but for some reason he could believe it. Who would do that to Reba? Who would do that to anyone? He looked up as Officer Gray stopped next to them. He had heard her last sentence, and tried to keep the sadness from his eyes. He knew what had to be done next.

"Ma'am, what exactly happened?" Brock was quick to help Reba.

"Does she really need to tell you that? Can't you tell what happened?" Brock was outraged. That man had put Reba through too much for anyone to go through, and this officer wanted her to tell him the details. Brock jumped to his feet, keeping his body between the officer and Reba.

"She has to tell me exactly what all happened, or there's not a lot I can do."

"Can't you arrest him for assaulting a police officer?" Officer Gray shook his head no.

"He didn't do anything to threaten us. He only tried tricking us to lose concentration long enough for him to get to her. I'm sorry, but I'll try everything I possibly can. It'd be a lot easier with her answering my question." Both men were surprised when Reba stood up. She looked the officer in the eyes and spoke with a level voice.

"He pulled me in with his loving charms, broke me down with his aweful words, beat me a couple of times, and then had his way with me. AND...No, I didn't want it." She turned her attention to Brock, who stood there in complete shock.

AN: so...what do ya'll think of this ch.? i'd really like to know. :) please and thank you. it's a little long. ;) heehee