I know the last one didn't have any author's notes, and that like never happens. It's because I forgot to add them since it was so late at night. Anyways, this is the second to last chapter. That means the next chapter is THE VERY LAST ONE! As for this chapter, it took way longer than I was expecting. It's over 4,000 words which I had never planned to do for this story. Stuff happened. I hope you guys thoroughly enjoy the chapter and pretty please do not forget to comment or critisize. While I do not want to spoil the ending, I would love to know your thoughts on it. I actually had planned that information since the very first chapter. It would be nice to know if it hit you out of nowhere, or you had an inkling that, that would be the case. I love you guys and yet I write such painful things!

Kira's PoV

Our new house looked overly normal. It kind of scared me how the house wasn't purple and funky looking. With my aunt choosing our next place to live, I had expected it to be, well a little more like her. Maybe she sacrificed the weird to live closer to our new family coming over. They had a daughter my age and a son who was eight named Rory. Apparently, she was going to finish Junior year in Sweet Amoris High and continue to go there for her Senior year. The family of three stood on the driveway of the house across the street.

"Your cousin is way taller than you," Castiel gruffly offered from beside me as I walked across the street to meet them.

Serena was not only tall but shockingly put together for someone who just travel hundreds of miles to get here. Her hair was in a tight bun with no blonde stray strands. Fitting skinny jeans paired with black boots set off the deep blue of her blouse. As I shook her hand I realized what had made me think of Nathaniel when we touched. She gave off the air of someone contained and professional. They would get along well. The brother on the other side was in disheveled sleepiness. Awoken from a nap, Rory seemed intent on wrestling away from his mother so he could go exploring the new surroundings.

If her daughters aura gave one of control, the mother reminded me of coldness as she icily greeted me, "You must be Kira. Lily and Kevin's daughter."

"That I am. This is my boyfriend, Castiel."

"It's nice to meet you," Castiel leaned forward and grasped her manicured hand.

Giving him a judgmental stare, she meekly shook his hand. It was then that I decided that I didn't like this women. She who looks down on everyone around her, it was an eerie reminder of Amber. Maybe I would get along with her son and daughter though? Only time would tell.

"I guess we'll be seeing you around!" I crack a painful smile. Tugging on the hem of Castiel's shirt, I tug him back to our side of the road. It was time to talk to my aunt about what really happened in my past.

I found her in our new kitchen, putting dishes away. "Aunty, I need to talk to you about something."

"What is it, Sweetie?" She happily replied not even looking over at Castiel and I.

How should I put this in a delicate and non worrying way? "The nightmares have been happening a lot more often since the burglary, and I was wondering if I could go see a therapist to talk about it?"

Comfortingly rubbing my back, Castiel gave me an encouraging smile.

"I don't think that's the best idea," my aunt said warily. "If you need to talk about things, wouldn't the person who knew your mom and dad be better?"

This was going to be harder than I originally thought. Blindsided with just how resistant she seemed with me going, I struggled to say something.

"She is trying to seek professional help for a problem that has been haunting her for years. Being with you hasn't solved it yet. What makes you think it'll go away this time?" Castiel snapped.

Aunty stood up from her crouched position on the floor and crossed her arms. "I have known her longer than you, Castiel, don't you think I would know what's best for her?"

"I just want to know why you are so adverse to it! It's like you're trying to hide something from me," I said dumbfounded. "What is making you not like the idea of me going?"

My aunt was silent as she uncharacteristically found nothing to say to that. "I'll set up an appointment," she sighed, defeated.

I got the feeling she wanted to be left alone, so Castiel and I headed off to the movie theater.

"I still can't believe you dumped your pop all over me that one time," Castiel reminisced as we waited in line at the concession stand.

Shrugging my shoulders, my lips couldn't help but curve upwards at the memory. "You deserved it, dumbass. I still can't believe the look on your face after I did that."

"I guess I assumed that you were the mature one in our relationship."

"I am the mature one."

"Not if you throw tizzy fits and purposefully spill drinks on people." Pinching the tip of my nose, Castiel teased, "I guess you're the childish one."

Batting at the hand squeezing me, I tried to wrestle away from his grip. "You are the one who tripped me in History class."

Letting go of my nose, he scratched the back of his head. "That was pretty bad of me, but I never meant for you to hurt your wrist like that."

"I know, and that's why I forgave you. You've never tried to hurt me Castiel."

Even the fiery redness of his hair paled in comparison with the blush that was spreading across his cheeks. "I can be mean if I want to."

I leaned up and kissed his burning cheek. "Yeah, but you are a big softie too."

"Excuse me. Are you just going to stand here and flirt all day, or are you going to buy something?"

Saved by the cashier, Castiel pulled some money from his wallet. "I guess we will buy something. We'll take one large popcorn and two medium drinks."

Castiel was still red in the face as we started towards the theater. "It's cute how you get embarrassed like that with just a kiss on the cheek."

"That, Kira, was no kiss, but I if you keep annoying me I'll show you what a real kiss looks like here and now," Castiel gruffly replied in all seriousness.

I quickly backtracked. "Nope. I'm good. No need to do that."

"I mean it won't be hard since we will be sitting in a dark room right next to each other," he smirked.

"Castiel!"

For all that said, Castiel just held my hand in his own throughout the movie. It was a superhero movie that in no way shape or form had any werewolves in it. While his skin had callouses from playing the guitar and it was generally dry, it was the one I had dreamed of holding for such a long time. Bringing it to my lips, I gave a light peck on the back of it.

"What are you doing?" The question made me start. I hadn't been really thinking, it was just a sudden urge.

"Nothing!" I squeaked realizing how surprising that must have been. "Did you not like it?"

Castiel shifted in his seat to get an angle that would help him see me better. "I didn't say that. It was just weird. Normal people don't just kiss the other one hands randomly."

He wasn't trying to be mean, just curious, but I was getting a tad defensive. "I just wanted to!"

"To give me a smooch, in the middle of the theater, on the back of the hand, for no real reason?"

"I guess?"

Lessening the grip he had, Castiel let go and picked up my cup. Moving it to the other side and into the cup holder, he then lifted up the armrest seperating us. Slinging an arm around my shoulders, he pulled me to his side. "How am I supposed to just hold your hand when you say adorable things like that?"

Uncomfortable sitting on the space between the two seats, I squirmed. "It's not easy to get relaxed while sitting on the edges of two different seats," I muttered.

"Don't complain. I'll fix it." Gripping my waist, Castiel heaved me up and on his lap. "There, you are the perfect size for this. Not too tall that I can't see the movie and I can even use your head to rest my chin on."

If the seats around us had been occupied, I would have fought this close proximity and humiliating position. Instead, I decided to give into my desire. "That's better." Shifting to get cozy, I nestled closer to Castiel and watched the final half of the movie.

"That was fun," Castiel yawned as the end credits rolled upwards on the screen. We were the last two in the darkened room, but neither of us had budged from our original spots.

"I should probably head home and talk to Aunty."

"Yeah, I should probably let you go and do that."

Despite our words, nothing changed. Reluctant to head home without him, I snuggled my nose in the crook of his neck. "I really wish we hadn't moved. I'm not going to be able to see you as often now."

"Clingy aren't you?" Castiel huffed hugging me closer. "I hope this memory replaces the one of your last trip here."

My heart thundering in my chest, I embrace his arm. "Castiel you don't need to go out of your way to fix the past. I already forgave you. Just be you and do what makes you happy."

"Sometimes you scare me, Kira." His lips dancing lightly on the nape of my neck sent a shiver through me. "I don't want to lose you."

A swell of emotions rose within. I never knew how to act when Castiel expressed an endearing amount of vulnerability. The power of knowing he was mine, intoxicating. The burning heat of mutual love, it branded my soul. The fierce protection of seeing a side only a select few knew, enveloping. "You're so silly sometimes Castiel. I was the one who fell first and hardest. If anyone was going to leave anybody, it would be you."

"I wouldn't be so sure of that."

"What do you mean by that?"

Instead of answering my plea, Castiel stood up. "Nothing."

Scrambling after him as he headed downstairs, I called out. "You can't just say something like that and then not tell me what you mean by it."

All softness was lost as he cockily smiled up at me. "That's exactly what I'm going to do."

It took a few days until the only therapist in our small town had a free spot in their schedule, yet the momentI sat down, I wished that I had more time to mentally prepare myself. Small couch, certificates lining the walls, big books stuffing the shelves, and a swivel chair in the middle of the room for its maximum effect, the room itslef wasn't intimidating. While I had never been in this place, the professional but overly trying to be welcoming atmosphere was making me slightly uneasy.

"It's nice to meet you, Kira, you can call me, Gracie."

Delicately, I shook her extended hand and tried to calm myself. "Hi, Gracie."

"Now, tell me why you are here."

After taking more than a couple minutes to explain my situation and what led up to it, Gracie began to have a worry downcast in her eyes. "The nightmares began to come more consistent and painful after the break in?"

"Yes."

"And you believe that they somehow connect with the parents you forgot about after a car crash that happened almost three years ago."

I sucked in a breath. "It will be three years ago, two days from now."

Gracie leaned back into her swivel chair and swung side to side with ease. "There is something I want to look into Kira. Would it be okay if you come back tomorrow?"

"That soon?" I was stunned at this development. She seemed determined to find something. "Yeah. I guess."

"Great! Same time then?"

"Yeah. That'll work." I said with a lot less cheer than her.

Wearily, I exited the office, emotionally drained without the adrenaline bleeding throughout my veins. "I hope I find out what's wrong with me," my words come out, trembling and shaking, mirroring the state my body was in.

"I could tell you what they are," Castiel called out, "for free too."

Puzzled, my gaze switched between my boyfriend flippantly standing in front of the building and the motorcycle behind him. "You drove all the way over here?"

"No, I flew. Yes, I drove. I thought you might want to talk about what happened in their over a cup of coffee?" He took out a smaller helmet than the one on his head. "That is, if you want to?"

Happily, I took the helmet and strapped it on. "Why Castiel, are you perhaps asking me out on a date?"

"That is exactly what I'm doing: ignoring homework, avoiding responsibilities, and taking my girlfriend out for coffee who apparently thinks there is something wrong with her." Castiel scooted up to make room for me. "Hang on!" At a speed a tad too fast for me than I was comfortable, we headed towards the nearest coffee shop.

"You are going to see her tomorrow? Aren't you supposed to do it every month or something?" Castiel said chugging down more of his drink. "I'm not an expert or anything, but shouldn't she just tell you how to get rid of the nightmares and then you don't have to go anymore?"

I snorted. "I doubt it's simple as that. She was saying something about how my memories could be oppressed and they are showing themselves in the form of nightmares. I don't know. It was pretty confusing."

Castiel swirled his straw within the cup, contemplating what I had said. "So it's memories of before your car accident that are causing you not to be able to sleep at night."

"And the burglary triggered them to come back with more force because it reminded me of something," I cautiously added.

"What did it remind you of?"

Throwing up my hands in frustration, I almost completely disregarded my composure for the annoyance I was feeling. "I don't know what it reminded me of because I can't remember anything!"

"Hopefully, she will find the reason by tomorrow."

I rubbed my temples, trying to massage the irritation away. "This whole thing is making me nervous."

Grabbing my hand, Castiel stopped my frantic thoughts from running away. "You're strong, Kira. You also have me backing you up, so you shouldn't worry about what's coming your way."

Stopping the tapping of my feet, I rolled my neck. "You're right, stressing won't help anything."

Castiel fiddled nervously with the tips of my fingers. It was a sign that he had something to say to me, but he didn't know how to bring it up.

"Kira! Castiel! What are you guys doing all the way out here?" A deep voice boomed near us, startling us both.

Dajan was standing next to our table with a cup of coffee in his hands. Eying our entwined hands, Dajan smirked.

Retracting his hand, Castiel tilted his head back to get a better view. "We had to go somewhere. It's still pretty chilly outside and we rode my motorcycle, so the two of us decided to warm ourselves up inside here."

"Well..." Dajan stared at the cup in his two gigantic hands, "I don't want to bother you guy's on your date, so I'll head out."

Worried that Dajan had somehow felt excluded or unwanted, I rushed to comfort him. "You're not bothering us at all! If you want to, we can-"

"See you later," Castiel cut in. Knowing what I was about to say, he gave a carefree grin. "It was nice seeing you."

"No need to be so rude," I harshly whispered while giving him a good kick in the knee.

Castiel locked eyes with me. Dajan was only saying hi, he hadn't come over to bother us intentionally. Figuring that this was a date of some sorts, he had tried to politely excuse himself from the situation. I narrowed my eyes in Castiel's direction.

Relenting, he turned back to Dajan with a bit more formality in his tone. "I'm sorry, Dajan. I was going to ask Kira something important when you came up. It was rude of me to snap, and I'm sorry."

Shocked at Castiel's words, Dajan quickly tried to downplay the whole thing. "It was nothing, don't worry about it. I just wanted to say hi. I would have been upset if someone had been bugging me on my date, so I know where you are coming from. No need to apologize!" Fumbling away from us, Dajan waved goodbye. "Have a good night you too," He winked at Castiel.

"If only he knew what really happened between us at night," Castiel sneered sipping his drink.

It was hard not to blush at what Dajan had been insinuating with his farewell. "It's not like he really thinks that."

"I'm pretty sure the whole school believes we have done it, like over thirty times."

My jaw became unhinged. "Thirty? That's a ton!"

"Well if you think about it, we used to live right next to each other, and I'm legally independent, and your aunt is gone all the time. They probably just thought was a natural progression." Unlike me, Castiel didn't seem bothered by it. "The only people who know the truth is you, me, and our friends."

"I still can't fathom how there are rumors going around that we have already slept together." Why couldn't that just not be a part of the circulation of gossip that goes around in the halls of Sweet Amoris daily?

Castiel waved off my bewilderment. "We're the newest couple at Sweet Amoris, so stuff like that is bound to be talked about. They just have nothing interesting in their own sex life."

"It doesn't get on your nerves? To be talked about like that?" Shamefully curious, I peppered him with questions. "Is this to be expected? What happens after we've actually done it?"

"No. It doesn't bother me that much. What pisses me off is when guys come up because they want to swap stories about their own experiences and how good it was." Not seeing me shrink further into my seat, Castiel threw away his cup and continued. "Besides, it'll only last until someone hooks up or two people break up. We'll be old news by then, anyways."

Hair swayed slightly as the door opened letting in a breeze. Each strand was sticky from the wearing the helmet and it plastered itself to my head. I suddenly wanted a mirror. I suddenly wanted to know what everyone was saying about the two of us. It had never been in the forefront of my mind, how people viewed us as a couple. Dating the bad boy of our school, no one would have pictured me. Was Castiel aware and uncomfortable about how the world saw us? Wait. Wasn't that the whole reason for him trying to break up with me? Now I'm getting confused. Being indifferent to everything around him was his thing. Castiel wasn't like that, but his adamancy on how he doesn't care what people think of him hasn't changed.

"Does it bother you?" Castiel quietly inquired.

"Hm? Oh no. I'm just a little curious that's all. Like what are people's views on us dating and stuff? Amber and her friends, I would prefer not to hear their opinions, though, they are the most likely to give them to me."

Inclining forward in his chair, Castiel stared hard at me. "You're not going to go around asking people, are you?"

"Of course not. They could be lying anyways." I laugh jokingly and finished the rest of my coffee.

Getting up, Castiel holds the door open for me. "Good because you shouldn't set yourself up for hurt like that."

Chasing after his figure, I couldn't help but think that he had heard some things that wasn't pleasant.

"Kira?" Aunty gently called out.

I could hear her, but I couldn't see her. Monstrous shadow figures just kept hurting me over and over again even when I begged it to stop. It's scary. This is so scary I wanted to whimper out. Where was Aunty? Where was Castiel? Where was Mommy? Why weren't they here to make it the hurt go away? Bogged down by a repetitive symphony of slurs, I curled up into a ball.

I felt someone grab hold of my shoulders. "Kira. You need to wake up. Kira!"

"Huh?" I gasped. Light washed out my senses as I opened my eyes. This wasn't my room! Hands fumbled for a solid surface, but they felt detached from my body. I was moving them, but nothing was happening.

Blinking wildly, I could make out Aunty standing by the bed. Not my bed. This wasn't my loft bed. It was someone elses.

"Thank goodness you woke up, Kira." She hugged me so hard, my bones groaned in protest. "I'm so sorry. I never meant for this to happen. I thought you were getting better!" Aunty was sobbing incoherently. "You had stopped having such violent nightmares. If I had known…"

"What happened?" I shakily choked out.

My aunt took both of my hands and sat down on the bed. My new bed. This was my new room. Even shaking my head to clear up the images didn't help, everything was crowding each other. First night at the new house. Castiel wasn't here because Aunty had come back. Oh how I missed him!

"You have my deepest apologies, Kira. I didn't think that the nightmares had started back up again like that. Maybe I could have gotten you help sooner if only I had stayed here with you!"

"I never once blamed you for leaving, Aunty. It's your work. I'm sorry I woke you up. I guess, we are going to have to install soundproof walls into this house too," I whispered bitterly.

Shaking her head no, she tucked my hair back. "This is something I'm going to have to help you deal with. Especially after today."

"What do you mean by that?"

"Kira, we are going to have to have a long talk after your trip to the thera-"

Twisting around, I checked the time on my clock. "I'm going to be late to the therapists!" Not giving my aunt a chance to continue, I rushed to get ready. "Since it's Saturday, we have all day to discuss whatever you want to." Throwing on a hoodie and jeans, I hopped to the bathroom while putting my sneakers on.

"I'm actually going to drive you today, so I'll be waiting in the car."

Mouth full of toothpaste I gave a garbled, "Okay!" and continued to get ready.

It took about ten minutes for me to get ready, which gave us enough time to not be late to the appointment. Rare to be in my aunt's car, I ran my hands over the expensive leather interior. "Way fancier than my old jeep," I commented.

"Would you want to get a nicer newer car like this?"

"I would be to afraid of making a mess in it."

She gave a nod. It wasn't hard to tell that there was other stuff on her mind. Twiddling my thumbs absentmindedly, I looked out the window waiting for us to reach our destination. Might as well enjoy the peace and quiet for however long it was going to last.

For how short the trip was to the office, I had dozed off. Taking me a few seconds to regain my bearings and figure out where we were. "Thanks for the ride. I'll see you in an hour," I yawned getting out of the car.

"Wait, Kira."

"Yes?"

Wrapping her slender hand around my own, I felt an intensity that was unlike her as she tried to convey so many things at once. "I love you. I have always loved you."

"Uhh yeah. I love you too."

Uncertain at what was going to happen, I tentatively entered the building.

"Gracie is all ready for you, Ms. Kira," the receptionist brightly squeaked gesturing towards the door.

"Thanks," I somehow coughed out.

The room looked exactly the way it did yesterday. Nothing misplaced or strange about it, but the quickening of my heartbeat and the clenching in my stomach told me otherwise. Gracie was already seated in her swivel chair with a few files in her hands. Peeking at them, I didn't get a chance to read them because she pointed towards the couch like I couldn't see it.

"I feel like we should get straight to the point because there are many things we should plan afterwards."

"Okay?" I knew the couch was supposed to be comfortable but it felt like I was sitting on stone.

"This is your medical file." Why would she want that? "Here are the records from your hospital where you grew up." She pulled out an x-ray and showed it to me. "This was when you had broken an arm." After tucking the picture away she pulls out another one. "This is when you had two ribs broken."

"Why are we talking about this? My aunt already told me that my mother said I was running around and I got hurt because I always had my mind in the clouds." I like to think that I had a great imagination at that time and was already coming up with stories.

She nodded sympathetically at me before picking up another file. "These are police records. This shows police being called to your house a total of 7 times in the three years before the accident. They were called because of yelling and screaming in your house."

"So they fought, but I don't even remember them fighting. I doubt I would have nightmares about that."

Setting the files back into her lap, she leaned on her elbows. "I have already discussed things with your aunt. I also called the police station there to make sure I wasn't just making unnecessary assumptions."

"I don't know what you are trying to say." I did. I think I did, but I didn't want to hear it.

"Kira, you grew up with an abusive father."