AN: I know I've been a little lax with updates and I was a little disappointed by the Season 5 finale so I decided to revisit this.

Fair warning, the contents of the chapter can be a little triggering.

Chapter 5

Telling Kevin her past was necessary, but that didn't make having this conversation any easier. Madison had made a life for herself, away from that small town and broken dreams and that meant that in LA she was able to build a new life on a stronger foundation. Kevin needed to know all her pieces if they were going to make this work, even the pieces that were held together with sheer force of will.

Breathing deep, she began speaking, not able to look at him she focused her vision just past his shoulder into the darkness.

" After my mom and dad divorced, I went into a tailspin, only no one noticed. I lived inside myself a lot as a child and not being able to hold my parents together felt like my failing. On the outside I said the right things and made myself as less of a burden that I could. I helped my mom as we moved back in with my Nana Fran, and as I saw her start to spiral into sadness, I did the opposite. I remained cheerful to keep her afloat. I think Nana knew I wasn't quite myself but she never said anything. But she did flood me with extra love from quick, tight hugs and extra pancakes on Sunday mornings, to muffins after school and fried chicken on Friday nights. She fed me because that was how she helped keep me afloat."

Without pausing or looking at Kevin, Madison carried on , "We went on like this for a while, my mom being sad or angry and me seeming happy and full. Then my mom started to date again. I was maybe nine when she brought that first guy home. The exact opposite of my buttoned up, studious father. The consummate, stereotypical bad boy. Except unlike the movies, the bad guys don't turn around with the love of a good woman. They prey on the vulnerable woman and her young daughter. Then one day..."

Madison's voice hitched and she couldn't stop the tears that sprang from her eyes. Her throat was restricted as she fought back a sob that had somehow worked its way up from the pits of her stomach. Kevin's hands suddenly gripped hers and she steadied. She hadn't quite composed herself, but his touch grounded her, like a string attached to a helium balloon, it kept her from floating completely away.

"Madison.." Kevin began with a sombre tone.

"No, I need to get this out. It's not easy to talk about but I need you to understand." Breathing deep, Madison, with her hands clutched in Kevin's closed her eyes, and let the words flow.

" I just got home from school and let myself in. Nana was at her bible study meeting and mom was at work. I usually, start my homework and when Nana got home, I got to help her make dinner. But when I got home that day, Jay, my mum's current boyfriend was there. I didn't like Jay but I was always taught to be polite and respectful of the adults around. I settled at the kitchen table to do my homework and plugged in my walkman to listen to the afternoon pop countdown on the radio.I was laser focused on my notes with the sweet sounds of New Kids on the Block blaring in my ears, I didn't notice when Jay had snuck into the kitchen."

She paused, breathed deep.

"I didn't notice when he came right up behind me, until I felt his arm move over my shoulder down the front of my shirt." She stopped and raised her gaze at Kevin because she felt the hand holding hers tighten. She looked him straight on and squeezed back, giving him the assurance that she was fine. Without saying a word, he nodded back, knowing that she needed to say this.

" I froze. Stiffened, while he continued his exploration lower, mumbling in my ear that this was all right, to trust him. But I knew this wasn't alright and that registered in some part of my brain. I jerked away as quickly as I could and practically leaped across the table."

Breathing deep again, Madison continued "I didn't run because he was standing in the way of the only way out of the room. I was panicked and honestly didn't know what my next step was especially as he was advancing towards me, when the kitchen door opened and Nana walked in. In one second, she looked at me and whatever she saw on my face, sent her into a rage. I don't remember what she said or did, but I do remember her rushing in front of me and holding me against her back with one arm while she faced him. She yelled, gestured, whatever it took but soon he was leaving the house with a mean look at me as he slammed the door on his way out."

Exhaling as though releasing the tension, Madison pulled her hands from Kevin, so she could grab her water. But her hands shook as she raised the bottle to her lips. Kevin reached out and enclosed her hands in his own around the water bottle, once again steadying her, as he helped her shaking hands still so she could drink. She didn't comprehend how shaken she was by the story until, his hands touched hers again and the tears that were being held on the edge burst and she starting full body sobbing at the memory.

Kevin moved closer to her and his hands moved from her hands to wrap her in a hug. She buried her head into his chest as they sat together, her clutching him and him shielding her in an embrace made her feel cocooned and safe. There were very few times in her life that she has ever felt safe but in that moment, breathing in the clean scent of Kevin's, Madison sank into place that has eluded her for a lifetime.