Daniel's P.O.V.:

"Man, where you do you think Jack is?" asked a worried Audrey. "He's been gone for a while…I hope he's not in trouble."

"I hope so too," I said. I sighed and glanced over to the door Rowena was behind. Now two of my loved ones were in danger because of me. "We can only hope at this point, sorry to say."

"I told him not to go," said Audrey, sounding on the edge of tears, but holding back. "I knew this would happen, I just knew it."

I put my hand on Audrey's shoulder. "Audrey, don't go blaming yourself now," I said. "Jack was going to go no matter what anyone said. He's far from the spineless little bastard we all knew and—well—didn't love before."

"I know," said Audrey, still looking upset. "He's always been stubborn…I just wish he didn't leave. God, I hope he's all right."

"Well, allow me to let you know about that, dear," said a smooth, chilling voice from the entrance of the bar. Audrey and I whipped around to see Jack, but held tightly by the arm by Henry, and terrified. "I should have known you three troublemakers would show up," Henry continued.

"What, did you think we were cowards?" I snarled. "Of course we'd show up! Let Jack go and give us Rowena."

"How about 'no', Danny?" said Henry, putting his hand around Jack's neck. Audrey went to step forward, but Henry snapped, "One more step closer to me and he's dead!"

"Don't worry about me!" Jack declared. "Save Rowena!"

"Jack, I'm not gonna let you die!" Audrey said. "Dammit, you said you wouldn't get caught!"

"Yeah, well, maybe I suck at keeping promises!" Jack said as Henry was yanking at him, trying to shut him up. "Hey, stop manhandling me!"

"Oh, I can stop kid, but that'll mean a knife in the back for you!" said Henry. A knife in the back…I turned slightly to get a look, and sure enough, Henry had been holding a small knife to Jack's back the whole time. Dammit, there was no way this man was my family.

"Leave him alone!" Audrey suddenly shrieked. The room got dead quiet; I even thought I could hear Rowena breathing from behind the door. "Just—just let him go; we give up. Just don't hurt him."

I was shocked. "Audrey, what the hell are you talking about?" I hissed. Audrey glanced at me out of the corner of her eye and I saw a spark. It was then I knew that she had a plan.

Henry looked genuinely surprised and pleased. "Oh? Giving up, are we?"

"One safe friend is better than two," said Audrey. I only hoped that Rowena couldn't hear what was going on out here; she'd misunderstand for sure.

"Audrey, what are you doing?" said Jack, but Henry jerked him to shut him up.

"Jack, trust me," said Audrey tearfully, although I could still see the playful glint in her eye. I sure hoped that Henry didn't see it. "Henry…let him go and we'll walk. We won't do anything more."

"You're being a little suspicious," said Henry, still holding onto a squirming Jack. "But since Danny isn't protesting, I'd say that the inconceivable has happened. Okay, take this kid, but leave Rowena to me."

Before Henry let Jack go, Audrey's eyes went from eye contact with Jack to the silvery glimmer of the keys on Henry's belt. Audrey then looked and me to make sure I understood; I did and stood by for it all to come together. Audrey waited until the last possible millisecond before Henry could pass Jack over before shouting, "Jack, grab the keys!" Jack did as he was told, and all hell broke loose.

Rowena's P.O.V.:

I sat in the dark kitchen, listening out to what was going on. Audrey…was she giving up on me? I thought we had made up! I only wished I could see what was going on out there. Did Henry capture Jack? Did Jack matter more than me? I huddled in the corner, feeling utterly alone…maybe I wouldn't be saved.

But just then, when I thought I would give up all hope, there was a shriek of, "Jack, grab the keys!" and outside I heard commotion.

Daniel's P.O.V.:

"Toss me the keys!" I called to Jack, who had made off with Henry's keys and was frantically ducking the angry man's blows.

"Catch!" Jack called, and threw the keys in the air to me. I watched them as they gleamed in the air and I caught them in my hand. I darted behind the bar and to the kitchen door. Henry clambered after me, grabbing for me or the keys; it was hard to tell what he was going for.

"Daniel, watch out!" shouted Audrey. I wheeled around to see Henry lunging at me. Audrey gave some sort of war-cry and leapt at Henry, giving him a mean right hook across the face. He fell to the ground and didn't move.

"Thanks Audrey," I said, breathless. "Is he…?"

"He's unconscious," said Audrey, checking Henry's pulse. "Seriously Daniel, if you think I could ever kill someone we need to reevaluate our friendship."

"Shit Audrey," said Jack, staring down at Henry's body sprawled out on the floor. "I always knew you were tough…but…shit…"

"You're welcome boys," said Audrey. "Come on Daniel, let's get Rowena and get the hell outta here before your crazy uncle wakes up."

"Right," I said, filling with excitement. I'd figure out how to deal with Henry later; now was the time to get Rowena out of here.

Rowena's P.O.V.:

I heard the key enter the lock in the door I was shut behind and saw it turn; my eyes had already adjusted to the dark room. I was frozen with anxiety—it was either Henry or Daniel on the other side. The door opened and a sliver of light came in through the dark and I squinted my eyes to adjust to the new brightness.

"Rowena?" the voice on the other side called. I knew that voice. It was soft, caring, and a little afraid. It was Daniel.

"Daniel!" I cried, leaping out of the kitchen. I wrapped my arms around him and buried my face in his shoulder.

"And Audrey and Jack!" said Audrey, sounding mock-affronted.

"Oh, you guys!" I said, detaching myself from Daniel. "I'm so sorry…I'm so headstrong sometimes, I put myself and all of you in danger today."

"Don't forget we all egged you on," said Daniel. "It's not your fault. Come on, we have to get out of here before Henry wakes up."

"What do you mean?" I asked, but as we walked out from behind the bar I saw Henry laying, out cold, at the edge of the bar. "Ah…" I said, not quite knowing what words to form. "Yeah, let's run. What the hell happened there?"

"Audrey socked him good," said Jack as the three of us walked outside into the night.

"Audrey, you did that?" I asked, appalled. "Damn…"

"What, is it cause I'm a chick?" asked Audrey, flexing her muscles. "Come on Rowena, you know I'm tough!"

"Yeah, a real hard-ass," I said. Next to me, Daniel was walking along, staring at the ground. "What's wrong with you?"

"I just feel like we got away too easy," said Daniel. "I know Henry's gonna retaliate."

"Let's just get to my place before we do something stupid," said Audrey.

"No Audrey, let's go to mine," said Jack. "Henry knows where you live, and you have your parents back there; I don't want them getting caught in the middle of shit. Let's go to my apartment instead."

"Good call," said Audrey. I was a little taken aback, surprised by the civility of the exchange; I still wasn't used to those two not bickering everywhere they went. Suddenly, there was the rolling of thunder and rain began to fall.

"Oh crap!" complained Audrey. "How fuckin' great!"

"Oh, I know," said a voice from behind. "So great."

We wheeled around to see, lit by a flash of lightning, Henry standing over us with a maniacal grin. "You four are gonna pay dearly," he said, nearly hissing. "You kids have pissed me off for the last time!"

"Well, maybe you pissed us off for the last time!" said Jack, stepping up and puffing his chest out.

"You wanna try me?" asked Henry, and Jack fell back and hid behind Audrey.

"You touch any of them and you'll be sorry!" I said.

"Oh, will I?" said Henry. "I think it's you all who are going to be sorry."

"Try me," I said through gritted teeth.

"I will," said Henry. He lunged out and grabbed my arm. He flung me around and gripped me to his body with both of his arms. "Your little friends are gonna watch as I do whatever the hell I want with you!"

"Henry, let her go!" Daniel yelled.

Henry laughed as I squirmed in his grip. "Why would I do that?" he said. "You've done the same things to her, why shouldn't I find them out? We're family after all, Danny!"

"You're a sick man!" Daniel yelled over the wind and the rain.

"Let—me—go!" I shouted. I bit down on Henry's hand and he yelled out in pain, but laughed and just held on to me tighter.

"I always liked 'em feisty," he said.

"You mess with Rowena and you'll be sorry!" said Audrey. She ran up with her fists flying at Henry and she and I punched and kicked at him, but to no avail; he now had a hold of Audrey as well.

"Audrey!" Jack yelled.

"I always thought two was better than one!" said Henry. The rain fell harder and harder as Audrey and I kicked and squirmed and as Daniel and Jack looked more and more furious. Daniel ran up and grabbed Henry's arm, pulling and pulling, trying to free me and Audrey. He ran behind Henry and reached up, wrapping his hands around his uncle's neck. He lifted his arms up to pry Daniel off of him, and Audrey and I managed to slip through his grasp.

"Run!" Daniel shouted as Audrey and I darted off in separate directions; Audrey took off with Jack and ran in the direction of his apartment, and I just ran in a straight line to no particular destination, just to get away from Henry, who was close to being hot on my trail. The rain was still pouring as I ran without looking back; I had no idea where anyone else was. I couldn't see where I was going, and as I ran, I stepped in a puddle and slipped. I fell with a thud and a splash and struggled to get up. I tried, but my ankle had twisted when I fell and was badly sprained. I gripped onto the wall of the building next to me and propped myself up, but Henry had found me.

He held me up against the wall by my neck, looking into my eyes with his crazy, empty ones. "Your little friends aren't here now, Rowena," he hissed as he held me up. "They can't save you—they can't hear you scream…"

His hand closed tighter around my throat and my breathing became more and more choked. My vision began to blue and soon all I felt were the cool drops of rain pouring onto my face. This was it…I was going to die, and at the hands of a deranged, perverted psychopath. I braced myself to give in; it all seemed so hopeless now. I was just about to black out when there were flashes or red and blue lights and the loud whining of a siren.

"Drop her, dirtbag!" a voice called and Henry did exactly that, although it didn't seem like it was by choice. I took a deep breath as I got up from the cold, wet ground and my vision came back. The lights were coming from a police car and Henry was being held down to it at gunpoint by an officer, and coming out from the car were none other than Paul and Audrey.

"Rowena!" Paul exclaimed as he ran to me. "Thank God you're safe."

"P—Paul?" I asked, finding it hard to speak. "How?"

"Audrey, Daniel, and Jack," said Paul. "Audrey and Jack were on their way to Jack's place, but Audrey decided to drag Jack back home to get me. Daniel was already at the house and he called the police. He and Jack are still back there with Nancy; I didn't want anyone else to come along, but Audrey insisted."

"Are you okay Rowena?" said Audrey, rushing to me to help me up. "I'm so sorry for running."

"Audrey, if you hadn't ran, I don't think I'd be alive right now," I said. "Thank you."

"Aw, come on I could have taken him!" said Audrey, throwing fake punches.

"And I would have loved to see you try, little girl!" shouted Henry from the police car.

"Sir, if I'm not mistaken, it was Audrey who knocked you out cold before!" I retorted. "You're a sick man, Henry, and I hope you go away for a long time! You've deceived me, hurt me, cheated me—I can't believe I ever did anything for you!"

"I almost had you!" said Henry as the policeman pushed him into the back of the car.

"Shut up Henry," said Paul to his once-friend. "How I didn't see through your lying and deceit, I will never know. I should have never brought Rowena to you."

"Yes, it is all your fault, isn't it?" said Henry. "Ha! Hear that Rowena? All his fault!"

"No, it's not!" I shouted. "Paul never did anything to me! You were the crook, all along."

"Oh, poor, naïve Rowena!" said Henry, sounding more and more deranged. "I feel sorry for you! You'll never work in show business again you little bitch! Never—" He was cut off my the car door slamming, but I could still see him shouting through the window. The policeman nodded at the three of us and drove off. Henry was still banging on the window and attempting to shout as the car got farther and farther away.

"He's going away for a long time, girls," said Paul.

"Paul, I really don't think it was your fault, I want you to know," I sad, turning to him.

"I know you don't," said Paul. "I just think I should have known better."

"It's all right, everything's better now," I said. Paul smiled at me and I returned it.

"I hate to break up the feely-stuff," said Audrey, "but it's pouring out here! Dad, let's catch a cab home!"

"Oh! Audrey—girls—I'm so sorry, I wasn't paying attention!" said Paul, looking mortified. "Come on, let's get home. I'm sure the others are pretty worried."

In a hurry to get out of the pouring rain, Paul hailed the next cab we saw, and we were on our way back to the house.

"I'm sure Nancy will want to make all three of us nice hot cups of tea," said Paul as we walked up to the door once we got there, still drenched. "Are you doing okay Rowena?"

"I'm okay…" I said. Yes, I was doing better than before…Henry was on his way to jail and none of my friends got hurt, but something still didn't feel right. I just couldn't put my finger on it. Paul unlocked the door and we all walked inside to see Nancy, Daniel, and Jack all huddled together in the living room, looking very worried.

"We're home dear!" said Paul as he closed the door behind us. "Everything's fine."

"Oh, Paul!" said Nancy, rushing up to kiss her husband. "I'm so glad you're all safe! What happened to Henry?"

"Arrested," said Paul. "He can't hurt anybody anymore."

"Oh, girls!" said Nancy, hugging Audrey and me tight. "Come on in, I'll make you three some tea, you're freezing!"

"What did I tell you?" Paul muttered to us, who snickered under our breaths. Paul went to join Nancy in the kitchen and Audrey and I went to the couch to Daniel and Jack.

"God, Rowena," said Daniel, hugging me and burying his hand in my hair.

"I know," I said. "It was crazy. But it's over now."

"You don't seem too happy about it," said Jack, coming over. Daniel let me go and I looked at everybody for a moment; these were my friends, I could tell them whatever was bothering me.

"No, I am happy," I said. "It's just…I feel like I've been playing the victim all this time. I stood up to Henry, and I ended up getting locked with him in his bedroom, going back to Portland leaving you guys to rescue me, getting locked in Henry's bar and needing you guys again, and then nearly getting killed by Henry and not doing anything until you guys did something again! I feel like a stupid, dependent, damsel in distress."

"Come on Rowena, you're not a damsel in distress," said Jack. "You're one of the strongest women—people—I know. So many others would have cracked and given in to guys like Henry, but you didn't! You stayed strong and refused to have any of his shit. Yeah, he caught you a couple times, but it's completely unrealistic for anyone to expect you to get out of it alone. We all love you and don't care if you needed to be saved a couple times."

"Jack's right, Rowena," said Daniel. "Not everything is how it is in the stories. Some people need to rely on others, and that doesn't make them stupid. You've been through more than the average person has been through. There's nothing in this world that could make me love you less."

"Yeah, what they said!" said Audrey, putting her fist in the air. "Love ya, sappy-mushy shit, yeah!"

I laughed. "Audrey, you're a little shit," I said.

"Yeah, and she's my little shit," said Paul, coming up, helping Nancy to serve the tea.

"We're all little shits, just admit it," said Daniel.

"Yeah Danny, and you're the biggest little shit of all," said Jack, nudging Daniel.

"We just started getting along, don't push your luck, kid," said Daniel. Jack laughed and swung his arm around Daniel's shoulders.

"Looks like we may have to go on double-dates," I said to Audrey.

"Not just yet," said Audrey. "I'm not sure if Jack and I are getting back together, but you never know."

"Audrey Laurence, if you get back together with that scruffy hippie, so help me—" said Paul.

"I was kidding!" said Audrey, and Jack looked mortified. Paul nodded and went back to his tea.

"Hey, Paul, can I borrow your guitar?" asked Daniel. "It's been a while since I've played."

"Sure Daniel, it's right upstairs," said Paul. Daniel ran up to get it, and came back down carrying one of Paul's acoustic guitars. He sat back down between me and Jack and tuned it up a little before he started strumming.

"Sing with me, Rowena," said Daniel. "You remember how to sing, right?"

"Of course I do," I said. He started the song; I knew it from digging into Jack's records one day. Daniel started out, and I joined in when the time was right. Paul rushed to get his other guitar and played along and we were accompanied by claps and banging on assorted furniture by the others. Daniel and I just sang together like we used to:

"If you're down and confused
And you don't remember who you're talking to
Concentration slips away
Because your baby is so far away

Well there's a rose in a fisted glove
And the eagle flies with the dove
And if you can't be with the one you love, honey
Love the one you're with
You gotta love the one you're with
You gotta love the one you're with
You gotta love the one you're with

Don't be angry, don't be sad
Don't sit crying over good times you've had
Well there's a girl sitting right next to you
And she's just waiting for something to do

Well there's a rose in a fisted glove
And the eagle flies with the dove
And if you can't be with the one you love, honey
Love the one you're with
You gotta love the one you're with
You gotta love the one you're with

Oh yea oh yea, yea
Lord, love the one you're with
You gotta love the one you're with
You gotta love the one you're with
Why don't you love?

Turn your heartache right into joy
She's a girl and you're a boy
Did you get it together and make it nice?
When you ain't gonna need anymore advice

Well there's a rose in a fisted glove
And the eagle flies with the dove
Sometimes you can't be with the one you love, honey
Love the one you're with
You gotta love the one you're with
You gotta love the one you're with
You gotta love the one you're with
You gotta love the one you're with

You gotta love, oh love
You gotta love, oh love
You gotta love, love the one you're with
You gotta love, love"

And I knew right then that this was where I belonged. There would be other clubs and bars, but there were only so many friends I could have in my own life. I had people I loved, and that was all that mattered the time I spent singing and making music with them was precious and wonderful, and I wouldn't let anyone take that joy away from me ever again. Daniel and I had stopped singing, but the music was still going on. As Daniel strummed his guitar, he leaned forward and kissed me.

"I love you," he said to me, looking into my eyes.

"I love you too, Daniel," I said.

"Get a room!" said Audrey, flinging a pillow at the both of us, knocking Daniel's cap right off his head. Yep, this was where I belonged, and where I would stay. I truly did love the ones I was with, and they were watching over me, always.

The End