"I want everyone to leave! Right now!" Erik growls hoarsely. Everyone is frozen. "NOW! Go! LEAVE!" They immediately get up and shoot out the door. Lola is the only one who stays; she probably needs a ride home. Erik reappears into the kitchen, his fists balled up. "Allison, I need to you to take Lola home. Now." The words are forced. Erik looks in the cabinet below the sink. "Where is the damn first aid kit, Allison!?"

"Inthebathroom," she motormouths.

Erik rushes past her. "And take Lola home!"

Allison gives me a quizzical expression. "What the heck happened?! I've never seen Erik so angry."

I shake my head, shrugging. "I'm not sure." It could've been a number of things...

"I should take Lola home before Erik blows a gasket."

I nod, following her out into the living room.

"Okay, Lola," Allison throws her purse over her shoulder, "ready to go home?"

Lola nods. She runs to the door and tugs on her shoes.

"Did Jack hit you again?" Allison whispers to me.

I nod.

"Dick!" Eyes wide as saucers, she slaps a hand over her mouth. She glances back at Lola-who hasn't heard a thing-and looks at me, red in the cheeks. Her entire face is sympathetic. "Are you going to be okay, here with Erik?"

I nod. "Yes."

"You sure?"

I smirk. "You think Erik would ever hurt me?"

Allison shakes her head fervently. "No! Never! You are his true friend-his first friend who is a girl. He would never hurt any of his friends, especially you."

"I had the same thoughts."

"He cares about you...more than you know."

I swallow, my heart squeezing.

Is she right? I hope she's right.

I give her arm a small smack. "Now get out of here before Erik spots you!"

"Oh, right!" Allison opens the door. "Come on, Lola."

Lola gives me a hug. "See you later, Amy."

I pat her head. "Bye, Lola. We'll hang out soon. I promise."

Lola grins, grabbing Allison's hand. They leave, shutting the door quietly. Erik storms in as soon as the door clicks. Good timing.

"Amy..." Erik grabs hold of the elbow Jack grabbed, trying to pull me into the kitchen again. He's gentler, but since it's the same elbow, it hurts.

"Ow!" I hiss.

Erik stops, realizing what he's doing. "Sorry," he grumbles. He slowly lets go of my elbow.

"It's fine. It was the same one Jack grabbed," I say without thinking.

Erik tucks the first-aid kit under his arm, rolling up my shirt sleeve. I don't try to stop him.

I feel doomed. I bet it's already bruised.

The sleeve goes up and my suspicions are confirmed: I am already brown, blue, and green. Awesome.

Erik glares at it like it's evil. "The audacity some men have toward women." Erik places a hand on my back, trying to be gentle through his rage. We graze back toward the kitchen sink again. Erik opens the kit, bringing out some Neosporin.

He doesn't look me in the eyes. "I'm going to lift you up on the counter, okay?"

"Oh, no, Erik." I laugh nervously. "I can get up on my own."

I'm really heavy, I warn him in my head. Trust me.

I place my hands on the counter, trying to lift myself up. The word 'try' is the key. I lift, only to not lift myself high enough and land back on the floor. I try again. And again. And again. By the third time, I give up. Shamefully, I look at Erik. He doesn't even look amused. I wish he did.

"Now do you want my help?"

I stare at the floor. "Yes."

Erik's hands place themselves on my waist as he lifts me up onto the counter. He made that seem easy; I didn't even help him.

"Thanks," I mutter.

He doesn't respond. Erik dabs some of the medicine on my lip with a cotton swab. I try not to hiss. He's actually being really gentle. When he's done with that, he goes to the fridge and wraps some ice in a dish towel. He hands it to me. "Put this on your cheek," he commands.

I take it and do as he says. Hey, my right cheek. I grin, then wince (I need to remember I can't grin like I usually do, at least for a while). "Hey, Erik," I chuckle, "if you had an extra mask, we could be twins."

Erik slams the first-aid kit on the table, creating a loud bang. I jump.

Note #1: Erik has a temper when pushed.

"You think this is funny?" He points to my cheek, acknowledging the slap. At least he's not upset about the mask comment.

Tears form in my eyes; partially from fear, partially from guilt. "It's okay. I'm kind of used to it."

Whoops. Wrong thing to say.

Erik huffs a huge breath, his fists balling up again.

Note #2: Erik is really scary when he's angry.

"You should not have to be used to it! No one ever should." Erik turns away from me, running a hand on his chin. "So that was your boyfriend...fiance?!"

I groan. "Erik I told you: he and I are done!"

"He kissed you!"

"And I shoved him away. Also did you see me yell any objections when you punched him?" I ask, defensive. "I've been wanting to do that for months!" I take a deep breath. "Why are you so angry? Is it me?"

"No, I'm not angry at you. I'm angry at that asshole...and at myself."

"Wh-?" I sputter. "Why you?"

"Are you sure you and Jack are completely over?" Erik spits out Jack's name with venom, causing me to shiver.

I still don't get why he's like this.

"Yes!" I yell, beyond frustrated. "Yes, we are done." I jump off the counter, throwing the ice into the sink. I take a few steps towards him. He's watching me carefully. In his eyes, I can see he's contemplating something; worried, occupied, but about what? "Erik, you saw what that man did to me. He did that to me a lot when we were together."

Erik's eyes harden. "Is that why you guys...broke-up? Because he did that a lot? I remember you telling me he broke your heart."

I nod, consenting. "He did. But it was something else completely as to why I broke-up with him."

Erik's shoulders slump. "So you still would've been with him, no matter if he was...hitting you or not." Erik chokes out the last part.

"Erik, don't take this onto yourself." I hate seeing him like this. "Why are you like this? Please, answer me that."

Erik looks down. "I try to protect and care for the people I think highly of."

I smile. "Oh, Erik. You try to be intimidating, but deep down you're a romantic."

Erik raises a challenging eyebrow.

I continue. "You weren't there when 'Jack the Jerk'-" Erik and I both release a shy chuckle, "was there. The important thing is that you're here now. Thank you for protecting me."

I want to hug him, but I worry I might be pushing it.

"But no one deserves to get abused" Erik's eyes grow soft again, his hands reaching out to cup my cheeks. "Especially you."

And I wanted to hug him-this is so much better.

"What exactly did he do to you?" Erik asks.

I tuck a stray strand of hair behind my ear. "I'd rather not say."

Erik nods. "That's understandable. I didn't want to tell you anything about my past, so I won't push you to tell yours."

"Thanks."

Erik smiles at me, before realization crosses his face. His hands leave my face.

I almost groan. Now what?

"Is something wrong, Erik?" I sigh.

"No," Hhe snaps.

"I think there is. I mean, look at you!" His face is growing all huffy and red again; he's getting all heated up.

Erik grabs the towel filled with ice and tosses it to me. "You need to keep icing."

"Wow, Erik." I shake my head, astonished. I throw the ice bag at him. It hits his chest and slaps the floor. The ice spills out from the towel "Use that to melt the fire that's suddenly flaming over your head."

"Well, excuse me, Amy for trying to help." He bends down to collect the towel and ice.

I throw my hands in the air. "Sure, throwing ice, that's a big help!"

Erik and I scowl at each other.

I cross my arms. "Can you just give me a simple answer as to why you are being like this?"

"Why are you being nosey?!" he yells, standing up.

"Because I like you and I care for you!" I scream. I cover my mouth, realizing what I just blurted out.

Shit.

"And I like you!" he replies instantly. "You're the only friend I really have, the only one I feel truly comfortable with."

I sigh, knowing my defeat has come. He only thinks of me as a friend, but I already admitted half the truth from my heart. Why not do it for real? Calming down, I take a few tentative steps towards Erik, who's still angry and breathing deeply. His chest is moving up and down rapidly.

I'm flustered and blushing from vulnerability. My right hand slowly raises to the collar of his shirt. Erik is staring at me intensely, no longer angry, just curious. The top button of Erik's shirt is undone, showing some of his overly pale, smooth skin. My index finger touches the tip of his chest. From that one touch, I observe how cool his skin is. And soft.

Erik stops breathing.

My finger traces the outline of his collarbone; he's so skinny, I can see it clear as day. I remember feeling his bones when Erik and I kissed in Tony's office.

Erik's breath becomes shaky. "W-what are you doing?"

I sigh. "Erik, I don't think you completely understand the depth of my feelings." I look him in the eyes, showing all the emotion I can muster through them. Erik tries to read them. I still don't think he fully gets it. "Erik, I like you."

"I like you."

He still doesn't understand. This is the one area where he's a little naive in.

I giggle. My heart is thrumming, nervous. I take one of his palms in my hand, bringing it toward my heart. Erik is staring at his hand, shocked. I know he can feel my heart drum my devotion, my feelings. "No, Erik. I mean...I like you. Really like you."

I love you, I propose in my head, wishing to say it. The only reason I don't is because I know it's too early to say it aloud.

The only thing that matters now is Erik's decision.

I hope I hear the one I want to hear.