It had been three days since Autumn's 'break down' and it was killing Mark. What had he done to his baby? She wasn't speaking and she gasped at the touch of anyone other than Randy or John. It was like her mind was preventing her from getting hurt. Plus, her nightmares were returning every night with a vengeance. It was to the point where she could not get more than a few minutes of sleep here and there. When she was awake, her eyes were bloodshot and her skin was pale, it was like she was a ghost. Even though Mark was trying everything he could to get her to trust him, it was no use. Anytime he came near her she would recoil and pull herself into a ball. Needless to say he was scared out of his mind.

They were sitting in their room, with Autumn on her bed and Mark staring out at the sky. Nothing seemed to satisfy him like thinking. Plus, he wasn't sleeping very well himself, none of them were. Usually before this Mark would console her, but now John or Randy had to be on call because she wouldn't let Mark anywhere near her. He made him feel so helpless, his baby needed him and he couldn't be anywhere near her to help. He heard a crash and turned around. Autumn had been trying to get the new jug of juice off the top of the fridge when apparently it had slipped and splattered all over the floor. She looked down at the floor and then at Mark and started backing away. Mark stood up. "Autumn, it's ok. I'll clean it up." She shook her head.

"No." Mark's eyes narrowed he knew he'd heard it, but it was so faint that he really couldn't be sure.

"No it's ok, I'll do it. Don't be scared." Autumn stood back and watched Mark clean up her mess. This was new. Trent was never that nice to her. She shook her head, that wasn't Trent, it was Mark. It didn't matter they were the same. Autumn shook her head and walked back over to her bed. She sat down, and started reading through her journal. Rarely did she reread her entries, but for some reason she couldn't help herself. "Autumn." She looked up to see Mark holding a glass of juice in front of her. Autumn looked that the juice and then back at him and then did it again. She grabbed the juice out of his hand and set it on the nightstand. Mark sighed, little steps.

About an hour later Michelle walked into the room. Apparently she had a key. Glancing at Autumn she walked over and kissed Mark. "How's she doing?" Mark shrugged.

"About the same." Michelle looked sympathetically at Autumn, she never meant to make this happen, the kid was just being so difficult.

"Maybe I should try to talk to her."

"I don't think that's such a good idea." Mark watched on holding his breath as Michelle walked towards Autumn.

"Autumn," she said softly to no response. Michelle walked closer and touched Autumn's shoulder causing a loud gasp and a drastic recoil. The door opened and Autumn ran into the person's arms. John looked at Mark with questioning eyes. Mark glanced at Michelle who was standing there with her mouth hanging open. John shook his head and rubbed Autumn's back.

"It's ok Sweetie." In that instant something clicked in Autumn's head….John. She liked John. Autumn kept her face buried in John's chest, but she wasn't crying. Mark glanced at Michelle and she exited the room. Mark looked at John and made a motion where he moved his hand to his mouth reminiscent of eating with a fork then pointed at Autumn. John nodded. "Hey Autumn you wanna go get something to eat?" She pulled back and looked up at him before nodding. Mark shook his head as he watched them walk off, this was too much. He sat down on his bed and buried his face in his hands. He heard the door open and close…Michelle.

"Baby." Mark said nothing but pulled her into his lap. They sat there for a while in silence until Michelle spoke again. "What are we going to do about her?" Mark took a deep breath.

"I really don't know." Michelle nodded.

"I was thinking maybe we could get her some help."

"Well she already has a therapist, I just need to make another appointment. It works pretty well if I keep it consistent."

"I was um thinking more than bi-weekly therapy visits, you know it seems like she needs more help." Mark frowned and pushed Michelle of him.

"You want me to put my daughter in an institution?"

"Not an institution just some place where she can get the help she needs." Mark shook his head.

"No, not going to happen." Michelle frowned.

"Mark, she needs help."

"And she's going to get it, but I won't give up on my daughter."

"And that means what? You know I thought spouses got first consideration. If we're getting married then my opinion needs to be heard." Mark frowned, but didn't say anything. "You do want to get married don't you?" Mark sighed.

"You know I love you, I'm just preoccupied." Michelle nodded, as much as she loved Mark there was no way he'd ever choose her over Autumn. None. She didn't say anything she just turned to leave. Mark groaned loudly, why was life so complicated?

John was at the small diner staring intently at Autumn, he wasn't sure but he thought she was perfectly fine. She wasn't acting at all like she did over the last three days. Something was up, but he didn't want to push it. She'd reveal herself in her own time. They ate the rest of dinner quietly and then John took her back towards Mark's room. He saw that there was no one in the room. John frowned, being alone was hard for her. "You want me to stay?" Autumn shook her head and gave John a hug. John smiled, he knew she was back. He kissed her forehead and closed the door. "Lock both locks." Autumn sighed and nodded.

Autumn fell asleep soon after that, but woke up from a bone chilling nightmare. She really wanted someone to hug her, but she was alone…always alone. Sweat was flowing from her brow and she sighed. Maybe she'd go exploring the hotel, after all there was no way she was getting back to sleep now. She was still dressed in a tank top and jeans. Autumn slid into her flip flops and walked out of the room. She looked around glancing at whatever was in her path. It really was a beautiful hotel with chandeliers and other expensive fixtures all around.

Mark stared at the stupid glass in front him, he'd made a promise to not drink anymore, but he wasn't sure if he could keep his promise. He'd really damaged her this time, more than before. He'd only scared her that time, this time he caused a major problem deep within her mind. What was he thinking? He had to do what was best for her, not himself, but her. He made up his mind.

Autumn walked into the restaurant and it was dark, maybe that would be a good thing. She noticed a bar tender talking to someone, but she couldn't make out who it was. Wait? Deep gravelly voice…Mark! Why was he at a bar? Had she driven him to drinking? Slowly she walked towards him. Mark sighed and picked up the glass, he'd been battling with it for an hour but it was finally about to win.

"I knew you'd never change." Mark set the glass down and turned to his right. Autumn was sitting on the barstool next to him glaring disgustedly at him. Mark was dumbfounded that was her first sentence to him in almost 72 hours.

"Autumn," he gasped out. She raised her eyebrow.

"Were you expecting the Easter bunny?" Mark couldn't speak, words were trying to come out of his throat but none made it. Autumn? She grabbed the glass out of his hand and held it in front of him. "Choose right her and right now which one you want more, me or this glass." Mark looked at her. "I promise you, if you take one sip of that I will walk out that door and you'll never hear from me again. I won't go through this again." Mark frowned and snatched the glass out of her hand and slid it back down to the bartender. Autumn gave a soft smile. "Good." They sat there in silence for a while before either one of them spoke again.

"Are you ok now?"

"Does it sound like I'm ok?" Mark frowned, at least her mouth was back.

"You know I never meant to hurt you."

"That's what you always say."

"And it's always the truth. If I would have known you'd react that way I would never have done that." Autumn turned to face him fully.

"You know that I hate being touched or grabbed. What would make you think that doing it wouldn't cause some trauma?" Mark sighed and shrugged.

"I don't know. I didn't think-"

"You're right, you didn't think. You didn't think to ask me why I spat on little miss perfect, or even give me a chance to explain. You didn't think, just like always."

"You're right."

"I know I am." The silence overtook them again. Mark took a deep breath.

"So why'd you spit on her?"

"Because she was holding me by the arms." Mark grunted, he knew that'd trigger all sorts of things. She hated being restricted…especially in the arms. Mark went to wrap his arm around her, but Autumn stopped his arm and shook her head. "Don't think you're off the hook like that. Keep your hands to yourself." Mark sighed, at least she was speaking coherently.

"Alright, let's get you up to bed." Autumn rolled her eyes.

"I'm almost fifteen, I sleep when I want." Mark frowned.

"No, you sleep when I tell you. Now let's go." Autumn frowned, she liked it better when he was at her beckon call. Mark paid the bartender and escorted Autumn back to the room. "So you wanna tell me why you were roaming around the hotel alone at this time of the night?"

"Couldn't sleep." Mark sighed, he was definitely calling the therapist when they got back home. He opened the door to the room to see Michelle sitting there on the bed. Upon seeing her Autumn frowned and made a spin to leave the room only to have the door be held shut by Mark.

"Nope," was all he said. Michelle stood up but Mark shook his head. "Both of you take a seat." Both women glared at Mark. "Please, we need to talk." Autumn sat on her bed and Michelle sat on Mark's. Mark pulled a chair over from the table and sat down in the middle of them. "Ok we need to get some things out in the open. Autumn spitting on Michelle was unacceptable, got it?" Autumn nodded.

"Yes sir." He looked at Michelle.

"Michelle, I've told you a bit about Autumn's past but not enough. You need to know that grabbing her by the arms triggers something in her."

"Don't make excuses for her."

"I'm not, it's the truth. Just trust me." Michelle nodded, and Mark looked at Autumn urging her with his eyes.

"I'm sorry for spitting on you." Michelle looked at Autumn it was clear that she was only saying that to keep her father happy. Apology wasn't accepted.

"Alright with that being said, you two need to hear something." Both women looked on intently. "Michelle I love you, but you have to know that Autumn is my daughter and she will always have my heart. No matter what." Autumn smiled. Tell her. "And Autumn, Michelle is going to be my wife. I love her so I need you to realize that Daddy needs to be happy too." Autumn frowned and Michelle was smiling wildly. Mark knelt down in front of Autumn. "Can you do that for me?" Autumn sighed, he was putting her on the spot.

"I'll try." Mark kissed her forehead.

"That's all I can ask." Michelle looked on and rolled her eyes, the kid was so spoiled. "Alright you need to get ready for bed." Autumn sighed but did what she was told anyway. When they were alone Michelle looked at Mark.

"That's it, you're just going to send her to bed like nothing happened? She spat on me Mark!" Mark rolled his eyes.

"She's already been punished…did you not see that little girl who was here for the last three days?"

"Mark, she's not a little girl. She's about to be fifteen. That means learner's permit, boys, and other crap. If's she thinks spitting on me is acceptable then God help us when she's sixteen and can leave the house when she wants. Who knows she might run me over?" Mark sighed, she was so dramatic.

"She knows spitting on you is unacceptable."

"Oh really?"

"Yes really, I just told her that it was." Michelle put her hand on her hip.

"Mark I'm going to say this once. Disrespect starts now, if you let it continue she's never going to respect me. Every time she does something you say 'stop' or 'don't do that' or 'apologize'. Mark, it's been months, if she doesn't know right from wrong by now, she's never going to know it. You need to do something." Mark grunted, maybe she was right.

"You're right, I'll talk to her." He turned towards the bathroom. "Autumn." Upon being called Autumn exited the bathroom in a pair of shorts and a tank top with her hair in two braids. Mark motioned for her to sit, which she did. "We uh, we've been talking and you need to be punished for how you treated Michelle."

"I need to be punished? Mark, she sent me into flashbacks!" Mark grunted.

"First of all, its 'dad' and second of all it was after you were being a brat." Autumn began to scowl and shook her head.

"This isn't fair." Michelle looked at Mark, Autumn was proving her right. Mark looked at his young daughter and took a deep breath. He was going to hate this.

"Autumn Mackenzie, until you can drop that attitude and respect us both as your parents you are grounded from everything." Autumn looked at him like he'd lost his mind. "That means no painting, no sculpting, no drawing, no soccer, and no journaling." Autumn wanted to cry, all of this because Michelle had attacked her…real fair.

"That's not fair! If I can't play soccer they'll kick me off the team! I'll never be able to get back on." Michelle shrugged while Mark looked torn. "Please don't do this." Autumn had tears in her eyes, Mark knew how much it meant to her to be the only freshmen on the varsity team. It took everything he had to shake his head.

"I'm sorry, Autumn." She shook her head and glared at Michelle, this was all her fault. Autumn stood up and started walking towards the door. "Where are you going?"

"To find John or Randy at least they'll listen." Mark sighed, he was tired of her always running.

"You're not going anywhere but to bed." Autumn looked at Michelle, look at her trying to enforce rules. Autumn glanced at Mark.

"You heard her, go to bed." Autumn shook her head and closed the door. She walked over to her bed and flopped down on it dramatically. Mark and Michelle talked for a while and Autumn just lay there. This would suck. She loved soccer, she needed it. It was her only other solace besides art. She needed it. Her dislike of Michelle was starting to grow deeper. She heard the door close and heard Mark's heavy footsteps walking towards her. "Autumn."

"Just leave me alone." Mark sighed.

"Autumn." Autumn rolled over.

"Look I don't want to say anything to upset you or Princess Barbie. So please just leave me alone." Mark looked into her eyes and saw pain and confusion. He nodded and tried to kiss her forehead. "Don't," she said as she turned over. Mark stood there watching her, he hoped he was doing the right thing.

;D Hoped you liked it…more coming soon!

Thanks for reviewing guys, I love em.

Poll…Should Autumn and Michelle patch it up? Yes or no w/a reason.