here... this is super long... to make up for the weeks i missed. Plus I couldn't figure a good place to split it up properly...so yay long chapter.

I'm a little busy at the moment. plus i signed up for nanowrimo again. I'm insane. i'll try to keep updating.

please keep the reviews coming, it's what keeps me writing, knowing that ppl like it or are reading it.

I think someone said Derek was 21... is this what the writers have said? cuz i mean, I always thought Kate was a bit older... that's just me... but still 16 and 21 when you're that age is still kind of... meh... i'm speaking from experience. I was 17 when i dated someone who was 20-21 i think and we were just light years apart and I was pretty mature for my age then.

... ... ...

"That was low Cat, so low."

She grinned at Stiles as she walked towards the guidance counselor's office. "You got your money back, no harm no foul. I just like freaking you out."

"That whole thing, with the thing yesterday was freaky." He scowled at her.

"I know but I feel better so don't worry about the crazy anymore."

"Where are you going?" He asked, noticing she was heading in the complete opposite direction of their class. "History is that way."

"I have a meeting with Ms. Morrell." She explained.

"I thought you said not to worry about the crazy anymore."

She stuck her tongue out at him. "It's not for me, I'm doing it for a friend."

"If you say so. I wanted to ask you something about yesterday. Like, what do I end up buying Lydia for her birthday?"

Cat smirked. "And give away the surprise? Where's the fun in that. When you see it, you'll know and she'll love it."

"Guys, hi." Allison said with a smile, coming up behind them and grabbing Cat's arm. "Sorry Stiles, I need to borrow Cat." She pulled her off down the hall, ignoring the Stiles yells.

"What's wrong?" Cat asked.

"I don't know what to do anymore." Allison frowned. "About Alicia."

"The Omega?"

"Yes, I went to bring her food last night and she's still not healing, I don't know what to do."

"Yesterday, I said something about bringing her to Deaton, right? Watch over her the next few days and I'll tell you when. I have to go see him about Ralph so I'll call you when the coast is clear and you can go there."

"Do you think he'll help her?"

Cat's eyes glazed over for a minute before she focused on her friend again with a smile. "He will, don't worry, everything will be fine."

Allison breathed a sigh of relief as her phone went off and she looked at it with a frown. "My dad's here and he wants me to meet him outside for some reason. I'll catch up with you later okay?"

Cat watched her leave before backtracking to Ms. Morrell's office, about to knock when someone else called her name. What was going on with everyone today? She turned around, immediately scowling when she saw Jackson.

"Hey, Cat, I wanted to talk to you about the other day in the locker room."

"You have got to be kidding me. How about no and get lost?" Cat couldn't believe he had the audacity to try and talk to her about it and she also didn't want to let on that she really couldn't remember much.

"Most people around here wouldn't talk to me the way you do." He reminded her.

"I'm not most people."

"Look, you were the one throwing yourself at me in the locker room."

She shook her head in disbelief. "Tell me you're joking. Do you not even have a clue?"

"That you want me? Well that part is kind of obvious now."

Cat clenched her jaw, trying to reign in her temper. "Do you even have a clue what happened?" She snapped. Neither did she, but she trusted what Scott told her. "Scott came in to find you naked on top of me, while I was crying because of you. So dump your "I'm the greatest thing since sliced bread" attitude because you are so lucky I don't report you."

"It's your word against mine."

"And Scott's." she reminded him. "Plus, they probably wouldn't be too happy to see what you did to me, huh?" she pulled down the neck of her top, showing the bruises that were still visible on her neck.

"I didn't do that." He snarled.

"But they don't know that, do they? How else could it have happened?" She replied with a raised eyebrow. "Listen Jackson, you need help. Something is controlling you and you're being too stubborn to realize it or listen to us. Let us help you."

He scowled and backed away. "I don't need help from you and your freak friends."

He took off down the hall and she turned once again to the office door. Knocking and entering when she heard a come in.

"Catalina, how good to see you." Ms. Morrell said with a smile, gesturing for Cat to take a seat. "I was just about to have you paged to come see me."

She already knew that so she had saved Ms. Morrell the trouble and just showed up.

"I just wanted to have a little informal talk about one of my students, a friend of yours. Did Lydia talk to you about this?"

Cat nodded.

"Lydia has been suffering from some terrible nightmares and night terrors. Did she tell you that?"

"Yes, she did."

Ms. Morrell nodded. "Good. It's good for her to share these things with someone. Lydia is dealing with some serious trauma right now and she needs people around who will make it a priority to help her feel safe. Are you able to be a good friend to Lydia during this difficult time?"

"That is why I'm here." She told the counselor.

"I'm glad to hear that." Ms. Morrell said with a smile. "Lydia is a very special young woman. She reminds me a lot of myself, actually. There are people out there who will try to take advantage of Lydia's special gifts."

Cat cocked her head to the side, wondering if there was more than what Ms. Morrell was saying. Was she referring to Lydia's intelligence that almost no one seemed to know about?

"I know you, Catalina. I know you're not one of those people. In fact, I'm really glad Lydia considers you such a close friend but I was surprised that she sent me to you, to be honest."

"Why would that be?" Cat couldn't help but ask.

"I just wasn't aware you two were friends."

"it's a new development." Cat inwardly frowned. She was starting to get an odd feeling about the guidance counselor.

She smiled at Cat. "I hope Lydia continues to reach out to you. She could use some friends who aren't so...conflicted."

It's like she knew much more than she let on and Cat wondered if she would be able to touch Ms. Morrell to figure it out without looking too odd.

"As long as Lydia needs me, I'll help her." Cat finally replied.

Another smile. "Perfect, I knew I could count on you Catalina. That will be all for now." She looked down to a folder on her desk and Cat stood up, staring at her, wondering if she would be able to touch the counselor. She tentatively reached out a hand, pulling it back quickly when Ms. Morrell looked up at her again.

"Catalina? If there's ever anything you need, if something gets too much, please come see me. I understand a lot more than you think."

Cat nodded, backing out of the room. How much did she understand exactly?

… … …

Cat looked up with a smile as her window opened and Scott let himself into her room. "One day, you should really think about using the front door."

"Where's the fun in that?" He asked, pulling her up from her bed to kiss her.

"Oh, you know, less creeping out the neighbors as you climb through my window." She kissed him back, smiling as she pulled away. "So what brings you to my crappy little neighborhood?"

"I didn't get a chance to see you after school. Your dad is sleeping, so do you have access to your car? We need to go to my work to get some help."

"Oh, right. I knew that too. Memory lapse, which sounds funny coming from me. Let me change and I'll meet you out front."

"Is that my shirt?" He asked with a raised eyebrow, looking at the shirt she was wearing.

She blushed, fingering the edges of his long sleeve grey shirt that she wore over her bootie shorts. "Yes."

"You look adorable." he grinned, leaning in for one more kiss. "Meet you outside."

She laughed as he left through the window again and quickly changed out of his shirt and her shorts into some black skinny jeans, black top and black stiletto boots, her leather jacket completing the outfit. She grabbed a fedora to cover up her messy hair and grabbed her dads keys, patting Ralph on the head before meeting Scott out front. She noted that Scott seemed to approve of her outfit, his face lighting up as he looked her up and down slowly and she couldn't hide her smile, grinning as he met her eyes.

When they were well on their way, Scott told her who they were meeting there and she was not impressed.

"Why Derek?" She asked.

"Because we're working with him to stop Jackson."

"He wants Jackson dead."

"He won't kill him." Scott told her, "He promised he wouldn't."

She let out a small snort. "Yes, because he totally seems the trustworthy type."

"We need his help." Scott told her.

"Why do you need me there too?" She asked.

"Because you're super smart, we might need your help."

"While Derek is there?"

He nodded and Cat sighed in defeat, leaning back against the seat, remaining quiet for the rest of the ride as she focused on driving.

When they arrived, they met Deaton in the back as he was going through a bunch of stuff.

"Hello Scott, Catalina." He stopped, noticing the small cut on her forehead and the bruises still on her neck. "Do you need me to look at that for you?"

She shook her head with a small smile. "It's old news now but thank you."

"He's here." Scott said, going to the side door as someone knocked. He returned moments later with a scowl on his face, Derek and Isaac following behind him.

"Is he going to help us or not?" Derek was asking.

"That depends." Deaton replied, staring at the werewolves with a raised eyebrow. "Your friend Jackson, are you planning to save him or kill him."

"Save him." Scott replied.

"Kill him." Derek answered at the same time.

Scott glared at him. "Save him."

Derek rolled his eyes as Scott looked back at his boss. "Save him." He emphasized.

"What's he doing here?" Cat asked with a scowl, glaring at Isaac.

"Cat, you wound me with your words." Isaac replied with a grin.

She continued scowling at him.

"See why I don't trust him?" Scott muttered to Derek.

"He stays." Derek told Scott before looking at Cat. "You look much better since I saw you last Catalina."

She shrugged, glancing at Scott, not really sure how she looked last time she saw him. "I wasn't myself that day." She muttered.

Deaton motioned them forward, as he placed a tray of square jars on the table. Isaac reached out to grab one when Derek grabbed his hand, pushing it away.

"Watch what you touch." He snapped.

Everyone else ignored them as the vet began looking through the various jars.

"So, are you some kind of… witch?" Isaac asked with a small smirk.

Cat was kind of curious too, watching as Deaton answered.

"No, I'm a veterinarian."

She let out a small snort of laughter, sticking her tongue out when Isaac glared at her. His glare turned to a look of amusement at her actions.

"Unfortunately I don't see anything here that would be an effective defense against the paralytic toxin." The vet continued, meeting Derek's eyes.

"We're open to suggestions." He said.

"What about an effective offense?" Isaac suggested.

"Because that worked out so well in the past?" Cat sarcastically asked.

"She's right," Derek agreed. "I nearly took its head off and Argent emptied an entire clip into it, the thing just gets back up."

Deaton looked confused. "Has it shown any weaknesses?"

"One, it can't swim." Derek told him

"Does that go for Jackson as well?"

"No, he's captain of the swim team." Scott confirmed.

Deaton looked between the werewolves. "Essentially you're trying to catch two people." He turned away, rummaging through some drawers before holding out a medallion for them to look at. "A puppet and a puppeteer."

Cat stared closer at it, recognizing who was on the medallion. "Why do you have a medallion of Cernunnos?" She asked in confusion.

He looked at her, pleasantly surprised that she knew who it was.

"Who is Cer-whatever you called it?" Isaac asked, looking between Cat and the vet.

Deaton nodded for her to answer as he laid the medallion on the table.

"Cernunnos is the horned god of the wild forest." Cat explained. "He's found in Celtic mythology and wicca. He is protector of the forest and-" She briefly paused to look at Deaton who was watching her closely. "-Master of the hunt."

Deaton nodded, continuing on with his explanation. "Very good Catalina. Now back to our problem, one killed the husband while the other one had to take care of the wife, do we know why?"

Scott shrugged. "I don't think Jackson could do it. His mother died while pregnant too and she was maybe murdered. I think he couldn't let the same thing happen to someone else."

Isaac looked thoughtful. "how do you know this isn't part of the rules? The kanima kills murderers. If Jackson kills the wife, then the baby dies too."

"Does that mean your father was a murderer?" Scott asked him, causing Cat to elbow him in the gut. Sure, she couldn't stand the guy but still, that was awfully blunt and rude.

"Wouldn't surprise me if he was." The taller boy replied, looking off into the distance and Cat couldn't help the pang of sympathy that shot through her.

"Hold on." Deaton interrupted. "The book says they're bonded right?" Off of Derek's nod, he continued. "What if the fear of water isn't coming from Jackson but the person controlling him? What if something that affects the kanima-" He grabbed a jar, undoing the lid as he began to sprinkle the contents around the medallion. "-Also affects the master."

"Meaning what?" Isaac asked.

"Meaning we can catch him." Scott realized as Deaton nodded. "Both of them."

"Do we just figure out who's afraid of water?" Isaac asked.

Derek turned to look at her.

"What?" Isaac asked, turning to look at her in confusion

"Oh screw you guys." Cat scowled, knowing that they were remembering that she couldn't swim. "I went into the water eventually."

"Well Cat, you'll have to promise never to use him for evil again or we'll have to take away your toy."

"Screw you Isaac." She glared at him.

"You can't possibly think Cat had anything to do with this." Scott snapped.

"I really don't." Isaac said.

"You're right." Derek told her. "I'd apologize but-"

"You don't apologize." She finished for him with a roll of her eyes.

"I may have a few ideas." Deaton told them. "Let me think on this and all of you come by tomorrow night."

Everyone nodded and left, Cat driving Scott back to her house.

"How did you know what the medallion was?" Scott asked, curious.

"I know a lot about pagan gods and goddesses. It fascinates me as does most everything." She replied before shrugging. "Just curious that he has it."

When she pulled into her driveway, she scowled at seeing the living room light on as well as her bedroom light on. She pulled out her phone which had been on silent to see she had missed a lot of calls from her dad.

"What's wrong?" He asked.

"Dad, freaking out over something. He's in my room, he's not allowed in my room."

"Even though he's your father?"

She rolled her eyes. "that's never made him care before. You should probably go home, this will probably turn into a yelling match that you don't want to see."

The front door opened and her dad stepped out, his hands on his hip, a piece of clothing in his hands.

"He's pissed." Scott told her. "He's holding my shirt, the one you were wearing."

Cat stepped out of the car.

"Catalina Francesca Danvers, in this house, right now." He yelled.

"Francesca?" Scott asked, trying to hide a smile.

Cat glared at him as she moved around the car, noting that Scott was actually right behind her, having decided not to leave after all.

"Dad, calm down."

"Don't tell me to calm down. I wake up to find you and my car gone and some boys shirt on your bedroom floor? Is it his?"

Cat snatched it out of his hands, glaring at her dad. "Will you stop it?"

"Stop what? Acting like I'm not pissed off that my daughter has become some sort of slut?"

Her jaw dropped in shock as Scott placed a reassuring hand on her back.

"Sir, I can assure-" But her dad cut him off.

"I don't want to hear anything from you." He yelled.

Cat turned to Scott, pushing him back. "Go, I'll be fine."

"I don't want to leave you when he's like this." Scott whispered.

Cat rolled her eyes. "He's harmless. He's just being stupid, I'll talk to you later." She reached up to give him a kiss on the cheek before stepping up to her father, slipping past him and into the house.

"What is going on with you?" she asked as she came to a stop at the kitchen entrance, noticing empty bottles there. She turned around to face her dad, anger filling her features. "You're drinking? Again?"

"It's none of your business."

"Yes, it is. Do you think I didn't know that I was taken away after mom died because of your drinking? That you had to go to rehab? And now you're drinking again?" she shook her head in disgust. "Go sleep it off."

"I'm the father here, not you." He sneered.

"Then act like it." She yelled. "Don't ignore me then pretend to care when it suits you. Don't sit there and drink then yell and embarrass me in front of my boyfriend."

"Boyfriend? You are not allowed to have a boyfriend, what if he finds out about you?"

Cat stormed off to her room, hoping he would leave her alone but no such luck.

"Don't walk away from me. If anyone finds out, you'll just end up like your mother."

She stopped in front of her door, turning around to face him. "He knows. My friends know and they don't care. They accept me for who I am, unlike you, my own father."

SMACK. The slap across her face was so sudden, Cat didn't even have a chance to brace herself. She stumbled back, hitting her door with a small cry of pain as the doorknob dug into her back. That small contact, while painful let her know the exact reason he was drunk and she looked up at him with wide eyes.

"You lost your job? That's why you're drinking? Are you insane?"

"See? My daughter is a freak." He hissed.

"I am not." She yelled. "I have had no friends since moving here because of everything you've said to me and called me. But guess what, these people don't care and Scott doesn't care. He loves me Dad and I love him."

"You will not see that boy anymore. It is over, we are moving from this town before they try to burn you at the stake or something."

"Are you seriously stuck in the 1600's? This isn't the Salem witch trials and I'm not a witch."

"No, you're just in league with the devil. The pastor told your mom that, she couldn't handle it and killed herself, maybe you should do the same." He was slurring his words and Cat's breath hitched in her throat.

"Shut your mouth." She whispered, trying to hold back the tears she could feel behind her eyes.

"You're just a freak." He yelled. "Just like your mother and this world is better off without her."

"Shut up." She screamed, jumping at him. She was just a small girl though and drunk as he was, her father was still able to stop her, pushing her back through her bedroom door and sending her sprawling on the ground.

"This world would be better off without you." He jumped on top of her, his hands wrapping around her throat.

She began to struggle in earnest. If Isaac wasn't able to off her by choking her, she sure as hell wasn't going to let her drunken, insane father have the honors. She punched him in the face, once, twice, three times and when he was momentarily distracted by it, she pushed as hard as she could, twisting to get away from him. She shuffled backwards on her hands and feet as her father stood up, his face red with rage. He moved toward her when something, no someone, jumped through her window, breaking the glass and landing in between them, growling at her father. At first she thought it was Scott, having ignored her telling him to leave but as she looked, the frame was too tall and lanky to be Scott. She looked at the hair, noting the sandy colored curls and her brows knitted in confusion. Why was Isaac Lahey in her room, protecting her?

"What the fuck are you?" her dad snarled.

Isaac shot out a fist, connecting with her dad's jaw and knocking him out. "I think you should sleep it off, Mr. Danvers."

He turned to Cat who was staring between him and her dad, her jaw dropped in shock. Isaac was wolfed out but that wasn't what bothered her, it was the fact that this guy had jumped through her window to save her, knocking her dad out in the process.

"What the actual fuck?" She finally forced out.

"Are you okay?" He asked.

"What are you doing here?" She asked.

"I was roaming the streets when I heard fighting. Then I realized it was you and heard your dad threatening to kill you. I wasn't going to sit by and let him."

He held out a hand to her and she accepted it, letting him pull her up before she threw her arms around him, thankful and relieved that he was there.

"You're really not bothered that I look like this?"

She wordlessly shook her head as he transformed back. "Gather up some clothes, you're not staying here anymore."

"B-but my dad…" she trailed off uncertainly, looking down at her father. Sure, they weren't exactly close but it had never gone this way before. But he hadn't had a drop of alcohol since rehab. A thought crossed her mind and she pulled out her phone, looking down at the date with sadness.

"He's dangerous. Even if he is your dad, you can't stay here, you shouldn't. Trust me Cat, I know this."

"It's the anniversary." Cat said. "My mom died when I was three on this day and he lost his job today."

"She killed herself." Isaac quietly said.

"Did you hear it all?"

"Pretty much. Just grab your stuff and we can talk when we're far from here, okay?"

She nodded, grabbing a bunch of clothes and personal items and throwing it into a large duffel bag. When she was done, Isaac grabbed it from her, throwing it over his shoulder as they left her house.

"Can I take you somewhere? Allison's?"

Cat adamantly shook her head, not wanting to be around any of the Argent's. "Scott, take me to Scott."

He sighed, hiking the bag up further. "You know he's going to attack me when he sees your face."

Cat pursed her lips. "I won't let him. Does it look that bad?"

He stopped, turning her towards him so he could take a better look. "You have an imprint of his hand on your face."

"He's never done this before." She whispered as she pulled away and continued walking

"And let me guess, he'll never do it again, it was a one-time thing and before you know it, you'll be using whatever means necessary to hide the bruises and end up locked in a box in the basement as punishment."

Cat gave him a sharp glance before shaking her head. "Why didn't you tell anyone?" She asked.

He shrugged. "My dad was all that I had left."

"My dad's all I have but it's not worth it to get beaten all the time."

"Remember that." Isaac told her. "When you think this is all blown over and he's sobered up and you think it's safe to go back there. Remember that. It's not worth it."

"You weren't just out for a little stroll, were you?"

He looked at her with an almost shy smile and shook his head. "I wanted to talk to you, see if you talked to Allison about our conversation."

"Yes, I have. I've been sworn to secrecy. Scott and Stiles are going to be pissed."

"Is that worth it?" he asked.

She shrugged. "I don't see Alicia hurting her right now so I'm okay."

"How do you know that?"

Cat sighed, as she realized what she did, silently berating herself. "Just trust me on that okay? I know."

They walked along silently until Isaac couldn't hold back anymore, asking the one question that he had been itching to ask since he knocked her dad out. "Why was he calling you a freak? Why was he even trying to kill you?"

"Because he was drunk?" She weakly replied.

He just gave her a look and she let out another sigh. "Look Isaac, I know too much, that's my problem. I know more than most people should and that's all I can tell you right now."

"What, you're like in the witness protection program or something?"

She couldn't help but giggle. "Not in the least but that's all I can say. Just trust me on that, please?"

"Does Erica know?"

She was hesitant to reply. "Would Erica knowing cause her problems?"

He shook his head.

"Then yes, she knows."

Isaac sighed as they stopped in front of Scott's house. "I won't say anything yet, but I do want to know."

"I'm sure you will eventually too." She muttered, starting up the walk towards Scott's door.

He stopped her, leaning down so he could whisper in her ear. "I was serious the other day, about going out sometime."

Cat looked at him in surprise, knowing she couldn't really say no as her real relationship with Scott was still kept a secret.

Scott's door opened and Cat turned to it in relief as Scott's mom peered out at them. "Can I help you?"

"Hi Mrs. McCall. It's Cat, is Scott here?"

"Scott is still grounded." Melissa reminded her.

Cat glanced at Isaac before stepping up closer and into the light so she could see her face.

"Oh my, what happened to you? Come in Cat." She grabbed the teen's hand, calling out to Scott to come to the door.

Cat grabbed Isaac's hand, wanting Scott to know that it was him that helped her. He looked down at their clasped hands, smiling shyly at her.

Scott came around the corner, stopping when he saw Cat's face and Isaac behind her.

"What did you do to her?" Scott snarled, his eyes flashing amber as he clenched his fists and started towards them.

"He saved me." Cat cried, throwing her arms up as she stepped in front of Isaac.

Scott stopped and looked at her, his hand coming up to lightly touch the welt on her face as he scowled at the new marks on her neck.

"Don't tell me your dad did this after I-" He paused and glanced at his mom. "-After our tutoring session."

She bit her lip to stop the tears she could feel threatening to break through. She didn't want to tell him the whole story until his mom was far away.

"I'm calling the Sheriff." Melissa said, reaching for her phone.

"No." Cat whispered. "He was drunk but I don't want him going to jail."

Isaac shrugged. "She's only 16, they will try to put her into a home. They tried with me, luckily Derek took guardianship."

"Derek?" Melissa asked.

"Oh, a cousin." Isaac replied with a charming smile.

"Mom, please don't send Cat to a home. I can't lose her."

Melissa shook her head. "Scott, I'm sorry but what happens is not up to-"

"Mom, please." He begged her, wrapping an arm around his girlfriend, "I can't lose her. I love her."

His mom stared between them in shock. "But Allison, you still- Cat's your tutor- and the empty box of condoms- "

Cat's brows knitted in confusion, they had only had sex twice. Then she blushed at what his mom was saying.

"Mom." Scott interrupted her. "She was, is my tutor but I fell in love with her, please don't send her away." He pleaded.

Melissa looked between the two of them before throwing her hands up in defeat. "Fine, she can stay here but there will be rules. I'm going to set up the guest room."

She left and Scott turned to Cat, lifting her into his arms to kiss her. He put her down, his hand tracing the welt again.

"What happened?" He asked.

Cat turned to thank Isaac again, frowning when she saw he was gone now, the door still open.

"Cat?"

She turned back to Scott. "He tried to kill me." She whispered. "He said I was in league with the devil and I'd be better off dead like my mom."

Scott's fists clenched and he turned to walk out and over to her house, deciding it was time to beat some sense into her dad.

"Stop." Cat begged him. "He's drunk. He's stupid when he's drunk, he even lost me just after mom died thanks to his drinking. It's done. Isaac showed up and helped me."

"I knew I shouldn't have left." Scott scowled.

"I told you to. It's fine. He just slapped me and tried to choke me but I knocked him off and that's when Isaac showed up. He knocked him out and I'm sure he's passed out on the floor still."

He pulled her into a hug, kissing the top of her head. "You're safe now, I'm not going to let him hurt you anymore."

"Can I just leave him there like that? Alone?" Cat asked with a frown. She was so confused, they didn't have the best relationship but he was still her dad and she did care for him.

"Yes." Scott replied. "You're the kid, he's the adult. He's supposed to be looking after you and he hasn't been. He's supposed to make you feel safe and he's done the opposite. You're not going back there, except to get your stuff."

"Scott's right, sweetheart." Melissa said, watching them with a sad smile. "It's a parents job to protect their children, not be the thing they are supposed to be protected from. Why don't you both get to sleep? You each are to stay in your own rooms, even when I'm at work and if you are in each other's room during non-sleeping hours, I want the doors left open. Understood?"

"Yes Ma'am." Cat replied, untangling herself from Scott and stepping forward to hug his mom. Melissa responded, wrapping her arms to hold the smaller girl tight as she looked at her son who shrugged.

When Cat stepped away, she wiped away a few stray tears. "Erica's right, you are wonderful, like what a real mom should be like."

"Erica?"

"My friend. She has seizures and last time you looked after her and she said you were warm and how a real mom should be."

Melissa smiled, stepping forward to wrap an arm around Cat as she led her down the hall.

… … …