"Wills? Is it really you?" Matt asked as he walked over to Willow and put his arms around her. "Not so tight Matt. Im still really sore" Willow replied as Jasmine walked over to her "Hey Jas doll, i missed you so much" "I missed you too Mommy" Jasmine replied as Willow picked her up as Matt let go of her. Willow winced as she carried Jasmine to the living area, where Elly, Punk, Jeff, Trish and Adam were sitting. Matt noticed the pained look straight away. "Wills, whats wrong? Where have you been?" Matt asked "Im ok Matt, like i said im just sore" she replied taking a seat with Jasmine on her knee. "I was in Wilmington" "WILMINGTON? Whats he got there?" Matt asked as Willow shook her head. "Its not what he had, its what I had" Willow replied, as Matt looked at her confused as did the rest of the room. "He kept me in the warehouse where Eric held me. In the same tiny cell" "Thats just sick and twisted" Jeff said as Willow continued "It was a brilliant move on his part. You guys would never have thought to look there after everything" "Wills, when we saw that locker room, we thought the worst" Matt said, his voice breaking as Willow took his hand and replied "Can we talk about it later guys? I dont want Jas hearing this"

The gang spent the rest of the day together at Ellys. Matt, Willow and Jasmine spent a few hours in the bedroom, away from everyone having family time and reconnecting after the ten long days apart. Willow was in constant pain, which she tried to hide, but Matt noticed. "Im going to go put Jasmine to bed then Wills, i want you to talk to me. Tell me how much pain youre in" He said once he'd noticed Jasmine had fallen asleep. "Tell me everything" "Its bad Matt, its been really really bad" Willow said quietly, her voice breaking as she felt tears roll down her face when Matt returned 5 minutes later. "That day in the locker room, i thought i was going to die. I'd never seen Victor that angry or violent. I know my nose is broken from that day. I heard it break when he smashed my head against the wall. I must have blacked out as when I woke up in that tiny, godforsaken cell again, thats when i knew he wanted me to suffer. And i did suffer. He cut me open, whipped me, shocked me, burnt me, beat me. I thought i was going to die" she said as she removed her tshirt and showed him her bruised and bloodied back. "Jesus Wills, have you been to the hospital?" Matt replied, shocked at the damage done to his fiance, Willow shook her head "I cant. He doesnt know ive escaped. He went back to Ravenhearst yesterday afternoon, so I jammed my door open and waited for him to leave. Then i ran. I ran through the woods at the side of the freeway, following the lights home. I ran for hours, i ran though brambles, branches, mud. My clothes were ripped, torn from my body as i ran. I fell, sprained my ankle badly but i kept going because I wanted to get to you and Jas. I got here late last night, I was going to come to the house but all the lights were off and your car wasnt there, so i came here. I practically collapsed at the door. Seth carried me in and stayed with me last night" Willow said as Matt looked at her confused and asked "What do you mean Seth stayed with you? Did he stay in the bed with you? Did he try anything?" "Nothing happened Matt but yes, Seth stayed with me because i was in no shape to be left on my own" Willow replied, almost breaking down "Seth stayed on top of the bed, i was under the duvet. I woke up four or five times, drenched in sweat, shaking uncontrollably due to nightmares. He helped me stay calm, he let me sleep in after a long, uneasy night" "I'm sorry Wills, Im just worried about you and I know that Seth has feelings for you. I dont want you being taken advantage of " Matt said as Willow looked at him "We're friends Matt. Thats all. Seth knows that I love you" she replied as she kissed him, stripping him as she added "I want to make the most of the time we have together before you kick Victors ass on Sunday"

Willow woke first the next morning and looked at Matt sleeping next to her. It took her a few minutes to realise she was naked. She closed her eyes and bit her lip as she remembered the events of the previous night. She got out of bed and headed to the shower. She turned it on and let the water heat up before stepping in. As she felt the water rush over her body, she felt the most relaxed than she had felt in thelast eleven days. Willow had stood in the shower for ten minutes when she felt someone get in behind her. She felt the persons hands run down her back before taking her hand and pulling her close to them. She turned to see Matt in the shower with her. "Matt, what are you..." Willow began to ask but before she could finish, he had planted his lips on top of hers and began kissing her. Willow pressed her back against the wall as Matt picked her up and she wrapped her legs around his waist. "Matt, wait. What if someone walks in" Willow said as they pulled away from each other, but maintaining the same position. "They wont Wills, its just you and me in the house. Elly and Phil took Jasmine out for breakfast" Matt replied as they began kissing again and had the most intense, passionate sex in the shower, before taking it into the bedroom.

"How come we always end up in bed like this after Victor has me?" Willow asked after a few hours alone in the bed. "I dont know Wills. I guess its because i miss you too much when he has you" Matt replied as he put his arms around her "Jasmine misses you too" he added as he told her about the conversation he'd had with his daughter a few days earlier. "When did our girl become so smart Matt?" Willow asked "I miss you guys too but you know why i go. But after Sunday, im staying with you" "Got any ideas on how you want to celebrate being rid of him for good?" Matt asked as Willow looked at him deep in thought for about a minute before replying "i'd like to go back to our hotel, grab some room service and spend some quality time with my two favourite people. Making up for all the time ive spent away from them lately" "That sounds like a good celebration. Plus i get my two favourite girls all to myself" Matt added "Speaking of food, shall we get up and go get some?" Willow asked "before Jas returns and makes us sit through another movie marathon" Matt nodded and as he got up asked "What do you fancy?"

30 minutes later, Matt and Willow were in the kitchen making pasta when Elly and Jasmine returned to the house. Jasmine ran into the kitchen and hugged Willows leg. "Hey baby, i've missed these cuddles" Willow said as she picked up Jasmine and kissed her. "I missed you too mommy" Jasmine replied as she grabbed Willows hair, and added "Mommy why do you go away with nasty Victor? Hes a bad man" "Its complicated baby. But i'll explain everything one day when youre old enough to understand" Willow replied looking at Matt for backup and he obliged. "Hey Jas, Mom and me are about to have some pasta, why dont you go play with Elly and we'll be through in a minute" He said as Jasmine nodded as Willow mouthed "Thank you" to him and put down her daughter, who ran into the living area, where she was followed by Matt and Willow.

"I want to go back to the house Matt. I want to be able to sleep in our bed" Willow said mid afternoon, with Jasmine asleep on her lap. "But you dont want to put us in danger?" Matt asked already knowing the answer as Willow nodded and added "As far as i know, he doesnt know about you Elly and i'd like it to stay that way, which is why, if its ok with you obviously Elly, i'd like to stay here. Just until after No Mercy" "Of course you can Wills. Why dont you stay over Matt? I know you guys will want to be together" Elly replied as Matt said "I'd love to stay over but Wills is right. He'll be following us once he realises shes gone and if im here, that puts you in danger too Elly" "Matt youre so amazing" Willow said as he shook his head "Nah thats you Wills. I really want you guys to come tomorrow night to the halloween party" he replied, but before Willow could reply, Elly jumped in and said "You know we'll be there" "Wills? Are you OK?" Matt asked as Willow went incredibly white and began shaking. "I dont feel so good right now. Im hurting bad" she whispered before passing out.

Willow woke up a few hours later in a hospital bed. It took her a few minutes to realise where she was. She groaned as she looked around the room."Hey you're awake" She heard a voice say and as she turned her head she saw Matt sitting by the bed. "You gave us quite a scare at Ellys" he added "What happened? I told the guys yesterday i didnt want to come here" Willow asked quietly as Matt explained what happened. "You blacked out. You went really white and began shaking uncontrollably. It was like you were having a seizure, and ive never seen you like that. It scared me and Elly" "Take me home Matt. Take me home now" Willow said sternly. "If he finds out ive been here..." "I'll stop him from getting to you. Look, the Doctor should be back soon, i'll see if we can get you out of here" Matt said, cutting her off before kissing her forhead. "Matt, I know i said earlier that i wanted to stay at Ellys but i dont. I want to stay with you. I dont care what he does to me anymore, he cant possibly hurt me anymore than he already has. I know on Sunday you'll beat him and we'll be free of him. But i really need you with me right now" Willow said as Matt said "Come home. If he finds you then we'll deal with him" Willow didnt get a chance to reply as the Doctor walked into the room. "Ah you're awake. You gave Mr Hardy quite the scare Miss Smithson" the Dr said as Willow replied "so i've heard. I Just want to go home doc. When can i get out of here?" "In a few hours. We want to just keep you in for observations. You have a broken nose, severely brusied ribs, extensive damage to your body and a possible head injury. Is someone abusing you?" The Dr asked as Willow nodded and replied quietly "Its my ex, Victor. Hes been doing it on and off for the last year but escalated it the last 6 months" "He has been reported but the police cant do anything as he is technically dead" Matt added as the Doctor looked at him confused. "He was killed over a year ago. He fell off a cliff, and he was declared legally dead as multiple people saw his dead body but it vanished and never found" "But now he's back and the police cant do anything until his death is officially overturned and he's not making it easy" Willow added. "They know hes out there but they dont know where hes currently living" "And he wont go to them to overturn the death?" The doctor asked as Willow shook her head. "Hes wanted for kidnap, GBH, blackmail, rape, attempted murder, No wait actual murder as Wills died on the way here" Matt said as he took Willows hand as he could see she was becoming uncomfortable talking about him.

Willow was released a few hours later as promised. She spent the next few days recouperating at the house she shared with Matt, without Victor showing his face or even acknowledging that Willow had escaped. Matts Halloween party was fast approaching, Willow really wasnt feeling up to going but Jasmine insisted on her coming. "Please come mommy. It'll be super fun!" Jasmine said excitedly as Willow dressed Jasmine in her costume. "Mommy isnt feeling good baby, but i'll think about it ok" Willow replied as she pulled Jasmines dark hair into a low pony tail and finished it with a bow, just as Matt walked in. DADDY! You look just like Prince tell mommy to put on her costume" Jasmine said as she ran over to Matt, who Willow thought looked amazing. "Hey Jas, you look so cute as Princess Melody" Matt said as he picked up his daughter for a hug, which made Willow smile. "Oh look, we made mom smile. Speaking of mom, why isnt she dressed yet?" he asked as Willow replied "Im just not feeling up to it Matt" Matt walked over to her and sat her on the bed and said "Whats wrong? You know it would make Jasmines Halloween to see you dressed in the costume shes picked for you" "I know Matt. Im just feeling really tired" she replied " Plus im really concious about bearing my torso as its still so red and bruised. Im going to see if i can have a little nap and i'll come down later"

Willow woke from her nap a little over 2 hours later. She hadnt slept well, having had the same nightmare as the first night she had returned. She woke up drenched in sweat, shaking. Her ribs hurt as she breathed. She lay in bed for a few minutes, listening to the party getting undwerway below her as she heard footsteps coming up the stairs followed by a gentle knock on the door. "Wills, are you awake?" she heard Matt ask from the other side of the door. She groaned as he opened the doorand she pulled the duvet over her head as he entered the room. Matt pulled the duvet back as Willow pulled a silly face making him laugh. "How are you feeling Wills? Any better?" he asked as she sat up and kissed him. "I didnt sleep well Matt, but i do feel better in my body" she replied as he kissed her forhead as she added "Go back to the party Matt. I'll be down in 30 mins"

And downstairs she was in a little over half an hour. As soon as she walked down Jasmine ran over to her and gave her a big cuddle. "Im so happy you came momma" She exclaimed as Willow smiled at her daughter and said "I wouldnt miss one of daddys partys. Especially in this beautiful costume" "I picked it out just for you. Now we are Ariel, Eric and Melody" Jasmine said as she took Willow by the hand and led her to Matt who said "You look amazing Wills" "You dont look too bad yourself" she replied as more guests began to arrive. As the night progressed, Willow caught up with all her friends and family, Jasmine had gone up to her room with her friends to play. As the familes with Jasmines friends left throughout the night, Willow and Matt kept checking up on her. Around midnight, Matt went up to check on Jasmine and found her and Nevaeh asleep on the floor, still in their costume. He put Jasmine in her pyjamas and then straight into bed, along side Nevaeh before heading back downstairs. Around 230am, the remainder of the party left, leaving Matt, Willow, Amy, Adam, Brooke, Elly, Phil, Christian and Jeff to tidy. Willow went upstairs to change out of her costume and check on the girls and ran downstairs screaming "MATT WHERES JASMINE?" "What do you mean Wills? Shes in bed alongside Nevaeh" Matt replied as Willow shook her head as everyone gathered in the room. "Shes not there Matt. There was only Nevaeh. I checked our room, the spare rooms, bathrooms but shes not there. Shes gone Matt" Willlow replied, starting to get hysterical "Hes got her, hasnt he?" "Dont say that Wills. He cant have gotten anywhere near her tonight" Jeff said as Matt held Willow. "We'll go search the house, she might just be hiding somewhere" Adam added as everyone except Amy and Willow went to search for Jasmine. "I dont know how he got her but he does" Willow sobbed as Amy put her arms around her daughter. Amy didnt get a chance to reply as everyone started arriving back from searching for Jasmine. As Matt arrived, Willows cell began ringing. As she picked it up she passed it too Matt and said "Its Victor. I cant answer it. If i answer it, he'll know im here" "Its ok i'll get it and put it on loudspeaker" Matt replied as he answered "What the hell do you want Victor? Willow isnt here, you took her remember?" Then, they all heard the words they didnt want to hear come from the other end of the call"See Matthew, I know youre lying to me right now. I know shes gone from where i was keeping her. I know shes in your living area right now, crying her eyes out because I HAVE JASMINE"