Author Notes: Thanks for the reviews.

Does Anybody Hear Her?

Chapter Twenty-One: Going Thru The Motions

As I sat here, with my sweet girlfriend's petite fingers running through my hair softly as I was laying my head on her lap, I couldn't help, but keep my eyes on the TV…although I wasn't watching a minute of it. It was just there…pictures moving, the colors racing, and the voices of the actors/actresses on mute in my head. What show is this anyways? I think it's That 70's Show…it was Cat's favorite…well, the Old Cat. The Cat now seems to enjoy it too…but she's distracted. So am I.

Once again, I'm feeling so many emotions at once.

-Sad

-Relieved

-Anger

-Betrayal

And more…a lot more.

It's hard to go down the list.

I'm saddened that my girlfriend went through this, practically alone, while we were dating…

I'm relieved that it only went on for less than a week.

I feel so much anger towards her parents…so much. If I could kill them both, I would.

And…I feel betrayed…why didn't Cat tell me? Well…the Old Cat…but still…I was her boyfriend. We had a connection. We practically shared one heart, or so I thought and I felt. How could she keep something so horrible and devastating from me? I wish she would've realized that finding out years later is hurting ten times more than if she had told me the night her dad yelled in her face. It's not fair…she should've told me. I would've protected her.

And that was the reason why her hair is now red?

I feel like I don't know my girlfriend at all.

But…but that was the Old Cat.

This is my new, sweet, adorable, completely innocent Cat Valentine, who I love more than anything. Yes, I loved the Old Cat, but this one…I love her so much. I can't let her slip away from me. And with all the life-threatening situations she's been in ever since she came to after her...assault…I can't stand to think of losing her. She's so serious and curious, yet still sweet and kind. She's cautious and independent. She's lively and wants to discover more of the world around her. It was like Friday, October 11th, 2012, she was brought to life. She was born. And she's trying so hard to get the hang of things.

She inspires me every day.

"Cat…"

"Hmm?"

"I love you."

I could picture her smiling. "I love you too. So what's next?"

"I don't know." I sigh, still not looking to her. She keeps running her fingers through my hair. "I wish I could kill your parents…but…everything has been okay ever since then. They've obviously made up for it, I guess. And…and about the cutting…yes, I knew about it. I'm sorry I didn't tell you…I was hoping you'd never find out. Or at least, maybe you'd come to me if you ever noticed the scars. You only did it once though…but it was still one time too many for me. I cried…I cried and cried. You never told me why you cut in the first place, but just knowing you were going through something that caused you to take drastic measures to make the pain go away…it hurt because deep down, I knew I probably wouldn't be able to help you."

"But…I would tell you, I promise." She says quietly.

"Good." I sigh in relief. "I'm glad. And…I'm sorry for breaking down in tears earlier."

"It's fine." She says gently. "I understand."

"I know you do." I kiss her bare thigh once. "I just had a hard time finding out that I tried everything I could to protect you all these years, but I never thought that you'd be hurt in the safety of your home. I trusted your parents to keep you safe while I wasn't there. And yet, they were the ones that hurt you…and they hurt you bad." I run my hand up and down her leg. "They knew how much I'm protective of you, so for them to test that…it pisses me off."

"Even though it's not my fault, but I still feel like I should say that I'm sorry that the Old Cat kept so many things from you." Cat said to me. "With my parents and then with Mr. Simmons sexually abusing me for such a long time right under your watch…but you can't exactly blame her either. She wanted you to feel okay. She was pretty much protecting you. She purposely wasn't trying to lie to you."

And that put some things into prospective…

I was holding a bit of a grudge for the Old Cat hiding so many secrets from me. I mean…I thought she and I were practically one, and yet there was practically a whole dark side of her life that she kept from me for so long. Her parents abusing her, even if only for a short time, and then the ongoing sexual abuse Mr. Simmons, a teacher I trusted back then, did to my innocent babygirl…but Cat's right. The Old Cat was just protecting me from pain and hurt.

Thanks, I guess.

Click

Creak

Even though we have no reason to be afraid, anymore, we still both tense when the front door opens and her mother's voice is heard.

"Cat? Beck? I'm home!" Mrs. Valentine's voice rings out. I hear plastic bags rustling around. I guess she went grocery shopping. And soon she comes into the living room with a smile. "How was your day?"

"Good." Cat answers shyly. I sit up from her lap. I miss her fingers running through my hair already. "I went for a walk with…the dogs. Beck went to work."

"Ah, yes. The movie you're working at." Her mom nodded. "How is that going?"

I fake a smile. "It's going well. And the pay is awesome too."

She chuckled. "Yes, I bet it is. You stuntmen do some dangerous stunts, so you deserve the extra money." She calmed down. "So I'm going to make some dinner. And Kitten, I bought some ingredients to make Red-Velvet Cupcakes. Maybe tomorrow, you and Beck can make some."

My girlfriend nods. "Yes, of course!"

Some things haven't really changed. Cat still is in love with her favorite dessert.

The dinner table was silent tonight.

Awkward.

Her parents were acting cautious around me.

Oh, why's that? It's like they think we know…that I know. And they're afraid of that.

Yeah, they better be.

Cat's oblivious to it…shocker. She's enjoying her hamburger helper. She finds it absolutely delicious. Silly girl of mine.

"So we have a bit of an announcement to make." Mr. Valentine says suddenly, mostly looking to Cat, who looks to him. "Your mother and I are going to go on our 3rd honeymoon. It's our anniversary next month, but we decided to go a bit earlier."

"How long have you two been married?" She asked with curiosity.

"We're going on 30 years." Her mom smiled. "We were married for 8 years before we even decided that we were finally ready for children. We wanted to graduate college, get our careers together, place our home in a nice place to start a family, get businesses going, make sure our incomes were good, and keep our marriage together. It was hard, because we wanted children. We're glad we waited though because we were able to give you and Frankie everything you needed."

"Were you ever stressed out with us?" Cat suddenly asked, but innocently. I could tell she was trying to get the truth out of them…but was she ready to hear it from their mouths? "Like…kids are rough, right?"

"No, never." Her mom immediately answered. "You two have been angelic children…well…okay, your brother has had some issues, mentally…but we made sure he was helped for that. He's…okay now."

"Oh, be honest with the girl." Her dad suddenly said. Yeah…be honest. Admit it, you inconsiderate bastard, who laid a hand on my girlfriend. "Frankie is still screwed up."

Oh son of a…that wasn't what we wanted to hear!

"Well…I guess I'm glad to know we were good kids." Cat said.

"Beck, are you alright?" Mrs. Valentine asked me. "You haven't said a word."

"I'm fine, Mrs. Valentine." I faked another smile. "Just tired from work. I'm a bit sore."

"I picked up some icepacks and some medicine to make the achiness go away." She told me.

My eyes widened. "Wow…thanks."

"Of course." Mr. Valentine pat my back. "You deserve it. You take such good care of our little princess. We are in complete debt to you."

Ooh…they're getting on my good side.

Dammit.

"Will you be back by the time I go back to school?" Cat asked.

They both give her sad looks. "No, darling, we won't." Her mom answers. "But we're leaving you money and we'll put money in your bank account when you need it. You'll be alright. You're so strong."

Cat sighed, looking dishearten they wouldn't be there, but she recovers quickly. "Kay-Kay."

We go back to eating…

I guess those abusive times are going to remain skeletons in the closet.