I feel like a broken record, but sorry it took so long. I just really wasn't sure which way I wanted to go with this chapter. But I think I like this version best! Please r&r!

Penelope's POV

I stood in the doorway after confessing to Gabby that I did need a friend. For some reason I felt an instant kinsman ship with her. She seemed to understand what I was going through. Though I doubt she ever actually loved her abuser.

"Come on in," Gabby replied. I walked in shutting the door behind me. Suddenly two figures jumped up. Rob stood between Gabby and I in a blink of an eye, and Mindy stood behind Gabby.

"What do you think you are doing here?" Rob asked me. I automatically shrank back.

Gabby grabbed Rob by his shoulder. Her turned around, and I waited for his hand to make contact with her face. But it never happened.

"Would you two stop it? If she had come here to harm me, it would be too late for a rescue. She got here five minutes ago, and you slept through the whole thing. Seriously you two are the worst vampire protectors I know, at least when you are sleeping!" Gabby exclaimed.

She for sure would be in trouble now. Talking to her master that way. But instead something unexpected happened. Rob and Mindy both laughed at her outburst.

"Ah G.G how I love your new confidence!" He said hugging her. Mindy joined in. I sat there, obviously forgotten.

Gabby looked over Rob's shoulder at me, and mouthed one minute. She broke away from the group hug first. She whispered something to Rob and Mindy. Rob and Mindy both faced me again.

"So why are you here?" Rob asked more politely.

"Um…I would like to talk to Gabby…alone if that is possible?" I asked shyly.

Rob and Mindy looked like they were going to deny my request. But Gabby quickly answered for them, "That would be fine. Won't it guys?"

"Yeah, fine," Rob replied and he practically dragged a protesting Mindy out of the room. The door closed behind me, causing me to jump.

"So would you like to sit down?" Gabby asked me motioning to the bed. I nodded and we went and sat on the bed.

"So want to talk about it?" Gabby asked me.

"Well yes but you are going to think I'm stupid," I explained.

"I doubt that, since I went through the same thing as you," Gabby told me.

"Did you ever love Brad?" I asked.

"Well no not exactly," Gabby replied.

"Well I loved Cam at one point," I told her, " He was so good to me at first. He showered me gifts. He was really into public displays of affection. He was always a bit controlling, but I thought it was cute. He was just so into me. I didn't realize he just liked being in charge. Pretty soon the physical abuse started. Just a couple of slaps, then closed fists hit, and finally.."

I paused not sure if I could go on. Gabby sat looking at me, not pushing me. I decided to continue.

"And finally sexual abuse. But I still loved him when it started. I thought it was my fault. I made him angry, and all he did was care for me. He wanted what was best for me! It took me a long time to realize healthy relationships weren't like this"

"As I said I didn't love Brad. But I also believed I deserved the abuse. That it was my fault for getting him mad. It took me a long time to realize I didn't deserve any of it!" Gabby explained

"If you don't mind me asking, was Dan abusive towards you also?" I asked her. She flinched at his name.

"Yes… he was much worst than Brad," Gabby replied in a whisper. She seemed lost in her memories.

"I'm sorry I didn't mean to bring up the past," I told her.

"Don't worry about it. I need to face my past. And anyways you came here for a friend, and friends share secrets and feelings," Gabby explained. I blushed.

"So you want to be my friend? Even after all the mean things I've done in my past?" I asked her nervously. I mean I had done some terrible things, and I'm sure Jenna had told her some of them.

"Oh please, most of what you did was say some bitchy things, and anyways it's all in the past now. If Carlos and I can be friends, you and I sure can," Gabby said with sincerity.

Of course I had overheard Shanna tell Eric about Gabby's first capture, when she was turned over to Alexander. Carlos and Damon had both physically hurt her pretty bad. In the end it was a good thing or her though. She had got out of the house that was hell for her.

"Thanks Gabby," I said. We then shared a very awkward hug. I guess this becoming friends thing is going to take some time.

A voice cleared behind Gabby. We both jumped apart startled. A man stood behind Gabby. He had black messy hair, with light blue eyes. He wore a tight t-shirt that showed off his muscles, and some sweats. He was quite handsome, not as handsome as Kyle.

"Alex?" Gabby asked in a whisper.

Alex's POV

Gabby stood by the other girl with a shocked expression. I put my arms apart to hug her. She ran up and embraced me. Suddenly I felt a light tap on my shoulder. I broke the hug to realize Gabby had smacked my shoulder.

"What the hell was that for?" I asked.

"For lying and tricking me! Why didn't you tell me what you planned with Rob?" she asked clearly angry.

"Oh come on Gabby. I'm sorry I just wanted you to be safe. And you've never been the best actor," I explained to her.

"Don't blame this one me. And anyways what are you doing here? You aren't supposed to be here until two nights from now. During the ball remember?" Gabby asked me.

"Well I had to see you. I was worried about you. Rob sent a message that everything was fine, but I wasn't sure if that meant physically and emotionally fine," I explained in a rush.

"Yes, well I am physically and emotionally fine for the most part," Gabby replied, her tone softened now.

The girl behind Gabby cleared her throat. She had dark brown hair, and hazel eyes. She looked very nervous to be standing in my presence. Gabby quickly introduced her to me, and I to her.

"Penelope this is my friend Alex, and Alex this is my sister Penelope," Gabby told us.

"Sister?" I asked.

"Yeah, she's my half sister, and so is Jenna and a few other people," She explained.

Of course I knew about Jenna, but what about the few other people. Were they on our side, or were they on Eric's side. And more importantly is this Penelope girl going to tell someone she saw me, and what she heard Gabby and I discuss.

"Your Alexander, the vampire king? Right?" Penelope asked me with a worried expression.

"Yes is that a problem?" I asked with my menacing voice I didn't use very often.

The girl flinched at my tone of voice. Boy did she remind me of Gabby when we first meant. Her sitting there a frightened, innocent, kitten. Me the ferocious dog, who never gave her a chance. And right away believed the very obvious lies Shanna told me.

"No…I…I'm sorry sir," Penelope replied earning a glare directed towards me. The glare from Gabby of course.

"No, I'm sorry Penelope. But you can't tell anyone I was here tonight, and what I said," I told her.

"I won't! I promise. Please believe me," She pleaded obviously scared to death.

" Penelope, I believe you! But if I remember right aren't you the one who dates Cam?" I asked. I was a little scared she might just go and tell him. Maybe not even to be mean, but just because she trusted him not to tell anyone.

"I am," Penelope replied with a sorrowful look.

"No Penelope you do not date him. He controls you. To be in a relationship you have to both want it. You no longer want to be in a relationship," Gabby spoke up.

Penelope gave her a small smile in response. Gabby returned it with an over exaggerated smile. Hmm…another controlling boyfriend. What was wrong with these men? I mean seriously was everyone loyal to Eric complete assholes. What am I saying? Of course they are. You would have to be if you were actually completely loyal to Eric.

"Um…well maybe we should start over. My name is Alexander, but you can call me Alex," I said reaching out my hand to her with a smile.

"Penelope," She replied hesitantly shaking my hand with a shy smile.

"So as glad as I am to see you Alex. You really should get going. I don't want you to get caught in here," Gabby told me.

"Glad to see me? Really? Because the punch in the shoulder would say otherwise," I joked.

"Yeah, well you deserved it. Anyways it probably hurt me more than you. But I am really happy to see you again," She said with a shy smile.

"And I am happy to see you," I told her.

"Good, now go before someone comes in here," Gabby ordered me.

"Alright miss bossy," I said giving her a quick kiss on the cheek, "Goodbye for now!"

I then left out the window. I heard a soft whispered goodbye from Gabby as I hit the ground. I really hope this ball works out, because if it didn't it would be all my fault!