DISCLAIMER: I own nothing, especially Hush Hush characters, all rights belong to Becca Fitzpatrick

THIS CHAPTER: WARNING WARNING WARNING! There is abuse referenced in this chapter, it isn't all fluff like many in this story so be advised. It is also longer, I owed you guys and I really am truly sorry it is taking so long to update I am having serious health issues that is causing numbness in my left arm and hand that prevents me from typing when it happens on top of other chaos, so again, I'm so so so so sorry I truly hate to keep you all waiting and I value your messages and reviews. I have made some very special friends from my readers I love you all very much... Okay, on with the story!

DON'T FORGET TO READ AND REVIEW, THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU! - I do realize this chapt is very ooc...

CHAPTER 13

CONCEALER

I never had the greatest life.

"What's that?! Why is your skirt so gawd damn short?!"

I looked down at my skirt which was barely an inch above my knee. It wasn't that short.

"What are you talking about, Dad? My skirt is fine."

In fact, my life sucked from the very beginning

"You look like a fucking whore!"

"But, Dad, I-!"

"Just like your MOTHER!"

I winced. That was cold.

I was abandoned at birth by my drug-addict mother because I obviously wasn't good enough for her, she choose my 'dad's' best friend instead... can't say I blame her for not sticking around with daddy dearest but did she have to leave me

I turned around to leave. I couldn't deal with this right now.

"Where do you think you're going?!"

"Out!"

"That's exactly what your fucking mother said sixteen years ago!"

A strike to the heart.

Yes, it often did sting to know that she never wanted me, and it left me with a bitter heart

"I have to go!"

"Are you going to run away like a coward?! Like the coward your mother was?!"

"I'm NOT my mother! I'm not a coward!"

A tear falls.

It's amazing how someone that I never even knew could leave such a powerful mark upon me

I lose my breath from his force. The mirror behind me shatters. I could hear the broken shards falling all around me. I was on the ground and my eyes were glistening with tears. Hank toward over me, his eyes dark and murderous.

The most that I could relate to her was in the old photos that I had been shown

"Leave me alone!"

He sneered and kicked some shards at me and I shut my eyes as they rained down on me. I wish I hadn't opened my eyes, because when I did, I saw the glittering images of my mother staring back at me.

They were everywhere.

I had obviously gotten my looks from her and that fact haunted me each and every time that I looked in the mirror

I tried to get up, but he just pushed me back down.

"Your mother was a stupid bitch for leaving you with me!"

Just close your eyes.

I hated her

"You were the biggest mistake of my life! You should have been a god damn abortion! I could have raised armies instead of raising you!"

A kick to the gut.

A second strike to the heart.

Not only did she abandon me, but she left me with my father who, in truth, wasn't any better

His eyes were bloodshot. He had been drinking. Again. He kicked me two more times in the stomach and I could barely breathe.

"Dad, stop..."

He didn't listen.

"It's your fault that she left! YOUR fault that she's gone!"

My father was an abusive alcoholic who blamed me for my mother's sudden departure with his best friend

"Dad, stop! You're hurting me!"

The pain ripped through me like all of hell had come to watch me suffer. I saw the look in his eyes. I saw the hate that was directed at me, it was like he had devil-craft in him. Had he never loved me at all? Not even at one time?

He came at me fast. There was nothing that I could do about it.

"No, Dad! Please!"

Hands wrapped themselves around my small throat. Their tight grip cut off my lungs.

He would come home, cursing and beating me, causing me to develop a fear and loathing for him at a very young age

I couldn't breathe. My vision was blurring and I was choking on my own tears. His hands tightened.

"Da... ple..."

I couldn't even say proper words anymore. My oxygen was leaving me faster than I could defend myself. I looked up into his eyes pleadingly. I could find no pity, no guilt, no humanity, nothing. Was I nothing to him? Not even human?

"Why did we have to have a filthy daughter like you?! We NEVER wanted you! I wish you were NEVER BORN!"

Third strike to the heart. I think I just felt it shatter within my chest.

I promised myself long ago that I wouldn't let him break me

"Da..."

My eyes fluttered, my heart beat was beginning to slow down. I shut my eyes.

~P&N*P&N*P&N*P&N*P&N~

It was Wednesday morning, two days from Homecoming, and I had decided to go to school early... for personal reasons, of course. I was one of the first people to school and I was in a rush to finish up in the bathroom. I was running out of time now. I had been in the bathroom for half an hour now, just trying to fix myself up. Class now started in ten minutes and I still couldn't figure out how to solve my problem.

I stared at myself in the mirror, fidgeting nervously with the collar of my shirt. I held out my hand and put another big glob of cover up in the center of my palm. I would hide the wounds if it was the last thing I ever did.

All of the other marks on my skin I was able to conceal, but the red marks around my neck were still clearly visible, even though I had applied nearly a million layers of make up to them. I didn't normally wear make up, but today it was necessary. I couldn't just wear make up in the places that I had wounds—it would look strange and uneven. So I had no choice, but to do my whole face.

Sure, I looked pretty, but there was nothing wrong with the way I looked before, even though my auburn hair was on the unruly side... besides all of the marks and bruises, of course.

My neck was all red and there were even some cuts with dried blood from where fingernails had pierced my skin. For the most part, I was able to cover most of it up, but I was having a difficult time with one large red mark on the side of my neck. I spread the concealor all over the red area and blended it smoothly together. For the moment, the mark had seemed to disappear, but it appeared back on the surface a few minutes later.

I frowned at it. There had to be some way to cover it, just for the day.

I quickly applied another layer, feeling a little better when it faded a bit, but not a lot. I decided to work with my collar and I tugged it in different areas to find my advantage. Finally, I had managed to find a solution that worked. I was able to put my collar in a certain position so that it would hide the mark, making it barely noticeable.

I sighed, knowing that it was the best that I could do. I looked at myself one last time before returning to class. Everybody was there, taking their seats and getting ready for class. When I entered the room, a few guys looked over at me. Their stares made me feel a little nervous. Do they see the marks? I felt eyes on me, but I refused to look at anyone. I just wanted to get to my seat and sink down low so that no one would ever have to look at me again. Suddenly I heard a few wolf whistles. I turned around to see that a few guys had turned around in their seats to look at me, smirking and whispering to each other.

"Hey, girl," one of them called to me. "You free?"

"Mmmm, I'd tap that," the other said, looking me up and down.

I turned red with embarrassment and then scoffed. They weren't looking at me because they had noticed my marks; they were looking at me because they thought I looked... 'hot'...

Well... not exactly the look I was going for...

I rolled my eyes at them and then turned around to walk away.

"Awww, baby, don't walk away," one of them said with a laugh, pulling at my wrist. "We were only looking for some fun."

"Let go of me!" I snapped, pulling my wrist away from him.

"Ooo feisty," the other said, pursing his lips and running his tongue along them.

"Stop messing with her, you guys. That's Patch's girl," I heard their third friend say, looking a little scared. "He'll kill you."

"He's not around, is he? So what's the problem?" the first one replied, amused.

"But, you guys-!"

"Relax. What Patch doesn't know won't hurt him," the other one concluded.

"Talking about me?" a strong steady voice asked suddenly from beside me.

I felt an arm wrap firmly around my waist and pull me close. I looked up to see Patch right beside me. He wasn't looking at me. His angular jaw was set tightly and his dark eyes were burning into the other three. Their eyes went wide and they immediately turned around, afraid to even answer him.

"Yeah, that's what I thought," he said acidly.

He turned away and dragged me with him as he led us to our seats. He sat down and tried to pull me onto his lap, but I dodged and plopped down in the seat next to him.

"Why can't you at least try to give me a chance?" Patch sighed, disappointed.

"I did give you a chance. As I recall, you spilled soda all down my shirt, tackled me to the floor, and then got me kicked out of the movies. You blew it. End of story."

He muttered under his breath and then sank lower in his seat.

"I bet if it was Scott, you would do it," he mumbled, his lips thinning into a hard line.

"Maybe, but then again, he never blew it yet, did he?" I replied, narrowing my eyes.

Patch didn't reply. Instead, he looked around the room, trying to find something new to talk about. The guys that had been bugging me before were looking over at me, still giving me lusty looks as they sent winks at me. I grimaced and shuddered, hearing Patch snort from beside me.

"Don't pay any attention to them, Angel. They're just a bunch of pervs with no life," he said, showing a strong dislike towards them.

"Oh? And what does that make you?" I rolled my eyes at him.

"Your BOYFRIEND," he answered, glaring at me for my comment.

"Whatever, if that's what you want to call it. I call it an excuse to get into my pants," I said coldly.

Okay, I wasn't being fair.

I was being colder than usual, but I had gone through a lot in the past two days and my heart had closed up again, bitter and hard. I was so so angry, I just wanted to bring everyone else down with me into depression. I wanted to make everyone else's life miserable like mine.

I admit, I was being selfish... but it almost felt good at the moment so I didn't care.

Patch was at my side in seconds and he was suddenly deadly serious. His gaze was so intense; I could almost feel it piercing into my skin. I tried to concentrate on something else across the room, but it was hard when he was so close to me. Scratch that, impossible.

"Is that what you think of me?" he asked, not able to accept what I had told him.

I didn't answer him. In fact, I pretended to ignore him.

"Is that what you think this is all about?" he demanded when I made no reply. "You think that I'm just using you to have my fun with you?"

I shrugged absentmindedly and turned away.

"I can't believe it, Nora!" he was suddenly very angry. "I'm just about ready to get on my knees and crawl through fire for you or chain myself in hell! If I wanted to use you for a night of fun, don't you think I would have taken advantage of you already?!"

I remained quiet and pretended to examine my nails, trying to look uninterested.

"You know what?! If that's what you think of me, then maybe I should have taken advantage of you!" he didn't mean it, but he wanted to be just as cruel now.

I was shocked when I saw him push his desk back as he quickly stood up. I looked after him curious as he stormed away, his footsteps rough.

"Patch...? Where are you going?" I asked, a little panicky.

He didn't answer me, but I know that he heard me. I could hear him muttering curses under his breath as he shook his head to himself and pinched the bridge of his nose.

"Mr. Cipriano, where are you – Mr. Cipriano!" the teacher called after him.

Patch ignored the teacher too and walked straight out of the classroom, right out of the school.

He didn't return to school for the rest of the day.

You've really done it now, Nora!

I'm a monster...

~P&N*P&N*P&N*P&N*P&N~

Coming home was different without Patch. There wasn't one day that he wasn't here since school had started, and now that he was gone, things weren't the same.

As much as I hate to admit this, I missed him.

It doesn't make sense, does it? I mean, how could I miss some dumb, stupid, perverted, retarded, aggravating, obsessive, weird, stalking... sweet, gorgeous, wonderful, generous, kind, caring... -gasp-

- - GAG - -

I shook my head as I closed the door behind me, walking into the living room and carelessly throwing my schoolbag on the floor right by the sofa. I dragged myself to the kitchen, got a drink, and slumped sullenly back into the living room where I plopped down on the couch and turned on the TV.

I almost felt strange to have so much time to myself. I glanced over my shoulder, wondering why everything seemed so quiet... oh right, it's because Patch's big mouth isn't here.

Sometimes I would call things out, thinking that he was right there and that he could hear me, but then I would just end up feeling stupid when I realized that I was talking to myself.

Way to go, Nora.

I had wanted to get rid of Patch for so long, but now that I had finally succeeded, I didn't know what to do with myself. I had so much time on my hands, so much freedom. It was almost awkward.

I won't think about him, I won't think about him

I flipped through the channels and finally let it sit on one of them while I rummaged through my schoolbag, deciding that now would be a good time to catch up on homework.

I was reaching for my math book when suddenly a familiar tune came on that made me freeze.

"I want to be the very best like no one ever was! To catch them is my real test, to train them is my cause!"

I flinched at the memory and began to quickly shuffle for the control.

"I will travel across the land, searching far and wide! Each Pokemon to understand the power that's inside!"

I found the control and quickly pushed the switch button, but nothing happened. I began to panic as I punched the button over and over again, praying that it would work, but nothing changed. I flipped the control over in my hands to look at the other said.

What?! NO BATTERIES?!

"POKEMON! Gotta catch em all! It's you and me! I know it's my destiny! POKEMON! Oh, you're my best friend in a world we must defend!"

I made a mad dash for the TV and began pushing random buttons.

Oh, come on!

One of these has got to work!

"POKEMON! Gotta catch em all! A heart so true! Our courage will pull us through! You teach me and I-"

I couldn't take it anymore. I had grabbed the cord in an instant and yanked it clean out of the wall, making the TV go out with a 'beeeoooo...'

I was panting from my hasty struggle and I laid back down on my back, looking up at the ceiling. However, I felt something cold spread across my back. I bolt up with a yelp, backing away from the source of the cold. I looked down at the ground to see that I must have spilled my bottle of water when I attacked the TV and now it was all over my shirt.

Water...

What the hell is going on?! Where are all of these memories coming from?! Why now, why?!

I let out a squeal and quickly threw off my shirt that was now soaked with water. I found another clean dry shirt and pulled it over my head, then I hastily cleaned up the mess that I had made. When I had finished all of that up, I sank down on the couch and put my hands over my face.

This was insanity.

The thing was that I knew Patch was coming back. I knew that he would probably arrive at m door any minute now. He couldn't keep himself away that long. The problem was I didn't know what to say to him.

After what had happened today at school, what the hell were we supposed to say to each other? I can see it now: both of us standing there, looking around nervously in the awkward silence.

But I knew Patch better than that.

He always has something to say.

- - rolls eyes - -

But somehow, it felt different this time... okay, maybe it didn't. I just don't know what I'm freaking out about. Maybe it's just nerves.

OMG MY BRAIN NEEDS TO SHUT THE HELL UP!

-...-

Thank yourself

There was a sudden knock on the door and I froze in place.

Didn't I tell you? Didn't I?!

Patch normally would NEVER knock on the door. He would usually just break in and make himself at home, so this time he must be really, really sorry, trying to make up for everything.

Okay, I should give him some credit, I guess.

I thought about running to hide so that I wouldn't have to answer the door and face him, but I couldn't come up with one plan for that to work, so I quickly collected myself and headed towards the door. I put my hand on the door knob and took a deep cleansing breath before turning and slowly opening it.

At first, I kept my eyes on the ground, seeing Patch's legs instead of his god-like aristocratic face with that inky black hair and midnight eyes. I bit my lip and swiftly forced myself to look up into his face which was emotionless. He was just staring at me with an expression that I couldn't read and I was almost to the point where I was about to gnaw my freaking nails off. Why did he have to have such a perfect mask? Why did it seem he could read my mind but I couldn't read his? His eyes took in everything about me while his gave nothing away it wasn't fair.

"Uh, hey," I said uncomfortably.

"Hey," he answered back, just as strangely. "May I come in?"

Okay, now he's really kissing ass, so you know something's up.

"Umm... sure. Come on in," I said, opening the door so that he could walk past me.

I closed the door behind up and turned around to face him. He was already there, waiting for me and I had to calm myself down before I started hyperventilating.

Why am I acting like this?!

I rocked on my heels as I waited for him to say something, but neither of spoke. I could feel him staring at me and thought that maybe he was expecting something from me.

He's waiting for an apology!

I know, I know! I'm working on it over here!

Do you know how HARD it is for me to apologize?! It's freaking hard, so no one rush me. I can do this, I can do this...

I began coming up with some pretty sad excuses for an apology in my head.

Hey, Patch, I'm sorry for the way I was acting. It's that time of the month for me and I'm still PMSing.

Excuse my behavior today. I just got the shit beaten out of me by my abusive, alcoholic father and I'm in a very bad mood.

The body snatchers took over, I swear to God!

I randomly thought of one and opened my mouth to say something, but he cut me off before I could even start.

"Look, Nora. I'm really sorry," he said, seeming to mean it.

My mouth snapped shut and I stared at him strangely. Was he actually apologizing to me?! For what?!

I thought I was the one apologizing here!

"W-What..?" I asked dumbly, giving him a puzzled look.

"I'm sorry for what I said in class. I really didn't mean it, Nora. You know I didn't. I was just a little angry and blew up and I'm really sorry about that," he said sadly.

"Wait... you thought I was angry about that?" I asked in total disbelief.

Everything was opposite from what I had expected.

"Yeah... you were, weren't you..?" he asked, seeming just as puzzled.

"No," I said with a laugh. "I thought that you were waiting for me to apologize."

"If that apology includes a kiss, then go right ahead by all means," he said, closing his eyes and puckering his lips.

My eyes narrowed into slits as I stared at him stupidly. Why did I miss him again?

"So you mean that all this time we've been avoiding each other because we both had trouble apologizing?" I asked, ignoring him.

"I guess so," he said, opening his eyes when it was obvious that he wasn't getting his kiss.

"You do know that you have nothing to apologize for at all, right?" I asked.

"Maybe, you don't think so, but I felt I needed to," he responded.

"Well, anyway, I'm sorry for getting all snappy with you this morning. I was just having a bad day, that's all," I said, not having to lie.

"That's okay. I'm used to it by now," he said with a shrug of his shoulders.

"Okay, then," I said, not knowing what to say after the apology was over.

"So... we're good?" he asked hopefully.

"Yeah, we're good," I agreed, slightly happy.

There was a small silence between us for a moment, but it wasn't as awkward as I had imagined it would be.

"Wow... I can't believe it. That was it?" Patch asked in disbelief.

"And what is that supposed to mean?!" I demanded, crossing my arms over my chest.

"It's just that I thought this was going to be a big fight or something,' he shrugged. "I guess I didn't need these after all," he added, pulling out a small bouquet of flowers from behind his back.

He gave them to me and I looked down at them, my eyes narrowing once again.

"I thought that they would come in useful if there was a really big fight," he explain, misreading my expression.

"Patch, these are from my front yard," I pointed out, looking at him pointedly.

"Hey, it's the thought that counts," he told me, walking into the living room and taking his jacket off.

Great. We're back to the way things were before.

I put the flowers down. I walked up behind him, still somehow feeling guilty. I didn't feel like I had settled things between us. I wanted to make it up to him. I reached out and hugged onto his arm, feeling him tense with surprise.

"I really am sorry, Patch," I mumbled against his skin, but I knew he had heard me. "I'm sorry for being so cold to you. I wish I could take back what I said."

He looked down at me latched onto his arm and his face became serious.

"You do know that I'm not like that, right?" he asked, seeming to hate the idea. "I'm not one of those guys who uses girls for action. I'm not that shallow."

I remained silent, but continued to listen.

"I mean, don't get me wrong: sex is nice," he said, grinning to himself. "But that's not the reason I'm with you. I genuinely like you, Angel. You should know that by now."

I felt a little flutter in my chest and I didn't know why his words affected me the way that they did.

"When we do have sex, because you know that we will one day," he added, making me roll my eyes. "I'm not going to leave you right after or use you in anyway. I'm sticking with you for life."

That's a long time to put up with Patch.

0.o

I let go of his arm and regained my posture as he turned around to face me, waiting for me to say something.

"Thanks," I said, blinking a couple of times. "I do believe you."

Literally, I really honestly do.

I'm going to have my own personal stalker for LIFE.

"Just tell me one thing..." he said, his eyes glistening.

"What?" I asked, not completely sure what to expect.

"Tell me you don't love Scott," he said pleadingly.

Uhh... errr...

"Why? Patch, what would that-?"

"Just tell me," he said more firmly.

I could see the jealousy in his eyes and it was almost strange to me. I sighed, knowing that things wouldn't be normal again until I told him what he wanted to hear.

"I don't love Scott," I finally said.

Patch's eyes suddenly lit up in delight and a huge smile spread across his face.

"Oh, Angel," he said dramatically, grabbing me by my shoulders and pulling me to him.

I narrowed my eyes at him and put my hand up to his mouth so that he couldn't kiss me. He opened his eyes and blinked at me.

"Awww, Nooora," he whined. "They do it in the movies."

"Well, in case you haven't noticed, this isn't a movie!" I snapped, feeling like my old self again already.

"Hmph," he folded his arms. "Way to go and ruin the moment, Angel."

"Anytime, dear," I replied in a British accent.

Patch groaned and disappeared into the kitchen. As soon as he was gone, my eyes lit up when I realized that he was completely off guard. I looked around the room and spotted where he had put his schoolbag. I smiled slyly to myself as I quickly made my way over to it and softly unzipped it.

I began digging through all of his stuff, searching for the one thing that could ruin my life if the idea was provoked. I began pulling things out to make my search easier when I couldn't find it. However, it didn't help. I still couldn't find what I was looking for.

Where the hell could it be?!

"Looking for this?" Patch asked, making me jump and spin around.

He was standing there, having just left the kitchen. In his hand was the video camera and my eyes went wide. He was smirking smugly looking at me with wicked eyes.

I guess that I'm back to hating Patch now.

"I'm not as stupid as you think, Angel. We may have apologized and everything, but that doesn't mean that I trust you," he said.

"Give it to me!" I ordered, storming towards him.

I NEED THAT TAPE!

"You want it? Come get it," he said, stuffing the tape in his pants.

"Patch!"

"No, really. Please do," he said, a longing sound in his voice.

"You're such a perv!"

"You know I am," he grinned.

"PATCH!"

"Relax, relax. I didn't really put it in my pants," he said, pulling it out from behind his back. "I only made it look like I did."

I scoffed and made a lunge for the tape. He raised it high over my heed so that I couldn't reach it.

"Paaaaaaatch," I whined, pouting.

He laughed at my helplessness and cradled the tape protectively in his hands.

"I'll just keep this safe from you," he said, smiling.

I groaned, deciding to forfeit... for now.

MWAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

I will have that tape, mark my words, Patch!

I sank back down on the couch and began to do the homework that I had never even started. I knew that I would most likely not get it finished with Patch around.

He came and sat down next to me, the tape now gone. I muttered curses under my breath and tried to focus on my math problems. However, it was rather difficult to concentrate under Patch's intense gaze. He made it pretty obvious, I mean, his gaze was practically burning me.

"You never wear make up," he said, making me look up.

"Yeah... and what about it?" I asked stupidly.

"Why are you wearing it now?" he asked.

"Because I just feel like it. Why? Does it make me look ugly?" I asked, not really caring about his answer.

"No, no.. It's not that. You look really pretty, but it's just that... you don't need it," he explained.

"What are you saying?" I asked, blinking.

"You don't need make up. You're already gorgeous, Nora," he finished.

He was so serious when he was saying it; I could almost feel myself blushing. I was sure that my cheeks were bright pink by now. Patch must have noticed because his hand found its way to my face where he let his fingers gently stroke my cheek as his thumb wiped the gloss from my lips, sending shivers down my spine.

The creepy part was that they were the good kind of shivers.

My heart was pounding in my chest and my face was flushed. I never thought that a moment like this was possible. But then again, you can never predict anything with Patch.

I caught his eyes looking down at my lips and I knew what he wanted, but for some reason, I wasn't objecting. He could go ahead and kiss me for all that I care. A part of me wanted him to.

-...-

Don't tell ANYBODY that I actually admitted that! I mean it! I will hunt you down like Dog The Bounty Hunter...

A ringing sound suddenly broke out through the living room, making us both jump slightly. I realized that it was the phone and I got up to answer it with a sigh. Patch groaned, knowing that he lost the only chance to get a responsive kiss out of me.

I ignored him and picked up the phone, pressing it against my ear and walking off to talk to the person on the other end.

"Hello?" I asked politely.

"Hello, Nora," I heard my Aunt say from the other end. "I was just calling to check up on you."

Usually, I liked when I got these calls from her. It took my mind off of all of the problems that I had with my father. But now, I felt a little disappointed. Was I actually upset that I didn't get to kiss Patch?

"So, how is everything over there?" she asked, trying to bring up a conversation.

"Oh, everything's..." I turned to walk in the other direction, but Patch was right behind me, forcing me to a stop. "Everything's fine."

He was hovering over me now and I looked up into his dark eyes. He was staring at me with the most uncomfortable look in his eyes and I forced myself to look away.

"Oh, that's good," she said, not noticing my hesitant answer. "So, are you keeping your grades up?"

Patch had put one hand up to my face and I felt my heart sink into my stomach. He was so close and his eyes were so different. I was almost afraid of this side of him.

"Y-Yeah..." I answered, barely remembering the question.

Patch's eyes flashed and I couldn't help but look at him in curiosity.

"You look so adorable when you talk on the phone, Angel," he whispered, cradling my face in his hands and bringing me closer to him.

"Oh? Is someone there?" my Aunt asked, having heard Patch's voice. "Who's with you?"

"Patch..." I answered softly, feeling like my body was going limp.

"Mmm, I love it when you say my name," he said, running his thumb across my bottom lip again.

"Awww, I knew I saw something in him," she said excitedly, getting the wrong idea. "Tell him I said hello."

"My Aunt says hello," I said, robot-like to Patch.

"Mmm..." was his reply as he brushed his lips against mine.

I actually felt my heart flutter and I quickly turned around, turning my back towards him.

"S-So how are things going over there?" I asked her nervously.

Hands slithered around my waist and I cleared my throat, feeling like I was about to have a heart attack. His hands found their way under my shirt and rubbed against the bare skin of my abdomen. I bit my lip to keep my feelings inside.

"Oh, things are great over here! Better than great, actually. Frank got a promotion from his boss and we're planning a vacation next month. It's been so long since we've had a vacation, so it's a relief really," she said cheerfully.

I could feel his breath breathing against the back of my neck and a shiver ran down my spine. He ran his tongue across the shell of my ear and I closed my eyes. His lips went lower and brushed down the length of my neck.

"O-Oh? T-That's really g- Oh, God..." I breathed out when Patch had suck down gently on a really sensitive spot on my neck and nibbled my ear lobe.

I felt Patch smirk against my skin and my face turned red with embarrassment. I can't believe I said that on the phone!

"Umm... maybe I should call you another time. I wouldn't want to interrupt you two," she said, a little amused.

"No, No. It's not like that! It's just that-" I finished with another pleasurable sound that was more a gasp than a moan.

What the hell is he doing to me?!

Patch grinned. He loved getting these reactions out of me. He dipped his head again, so that he could torture me some more, but he stopped, lips only an inch away from my skin. He stared down at the red mark on my neck that was visible now that the cover up had faded, and the grin on his face slowly faded. I tensed and my eyes went wide when I realized what he had discovered.

"Umm, I'll have to call you back," I said, barely above a whisper.

"Okay, well I'll talk to you later. Don't forget to use protection!" Dorothea said before hanging up.

I didn't even mind the sex-related comment that my Aunt had said. I didn't care at the moment, because the current situation was much worse. I let the phone slowly drop to my side, but I didn't move.

"Tell me what happened," he said a little forcefully.

His voice was strong with anger, but it wasn't directed at me.

"I told you not to worry about it," I said, quickly walking away, feeling him storming after me.

"Nora! Look at this!" he pointed down at the red mark, but as soon as he did, he accidentally rubbed past one of the other concealed marks, rubbing the cover up off and making it now visible too.

The truth suddenly clicked in his head and there was a long silence between us. He reached down at my neck and began to rub all of the cover up off. I stood there with closed eyes, not even bothering to stop him. I just couldn't believe that this was happening. He quickly wiped all of the make up off and, now, all of the bruises and red marks were clearly visible and obvious around my neck.

"Oh my God..." he breathed out in disbelief.

I pulled at my collar nervously, trying to cover up as much as I could.

"Who did this to you?" he demanded.

"Patch, listen to me. It's n-"

"WHO DID THIS TO YOU?!" he said more firmly, his voice trembling in hate and disgust.

I stepped back, frightened at how angry he was. I had never seen him act like this before. I knew that he wasn't mad at me and that he would never hurt me, but it was still scary.

"It's none of your business! I'm fine! I'm dealing with it!"

"Nora, you can tell me anything. This is serious. I need to know what's happening," he said, grabbing me by the shoulders and forcing me to look into his piercing eyes.

"You said! You said..." was all that I could say.

Somehow I couldn't remember his exact words, but I knew what he had promised. Patch knew what I was talking about immediately and continued his end of the argument.

"I know what I said, Nora, but you also said that you would tell me if things got really bad. Look at this! Things have gotten really bad!"

"Patch, please..." I begged, tears beginning to form in my eyes. "Believe me when I say that I can handle it. I will tell you, I promise, but I'm not ready right now. Just give me some time."

"Angel, I can help you. You've just got to trust me. Give me the chance. Please, just tell me," he was practically begging.

I looked up at him with watery eyes. I could see all of the concern and worry in his eyes.

Wow. I've never had someone care for me that much...

"I will tell you, I swear. But not now," I promised.

"What's wrong with right now?! You could really be getting hurt, Nora," he objected.

"Just..." I began, closing my eyes. "Just give me some time. You have no idea how hard this is for me..."

I expected him to fight back, but he didn't. In fact, he didn't say anything. I opened my eyes to see him looking down at me with a sympathetic expression, seeming to be deep in thought. I was surprised to see that he was actually thinking things over for me.

I knew that he just wanted to protect me, to help me, and I knew that it was killing him to know that I wasn't giving him the chance to do that. This must be just as hard for him. I was denying him the right to be my guardian angel.

"Okay..." he finally said softly. "I'll give you some time..."

That was all that I needed.

"Thank you..."

So... serious stuff in this chapter but we will get some more fluff and fun later. There are reason's that Nora behaves the way she does towards Patch and we hadn't had a glimpse of life at home for her outside of Patch for a while. Don't worry all of you writing me about Patch having a day of reckoning, the story isn't over yet!

PLEASE READ AND REVIEW YOU GUYS ARE WHAT ARE KEEPING ME GOING RIGHT NOW! TYTYTYT 3