This is a trigger warning. If you have ever been caught in any sort of sexual assault, you may not want to read this. I tried to remain discreet for the sake of those who wish to read it, but I did not completely glance over it. This is a serious topic that I feel needs to be discussed with caution but should never be brushed aside. Read at your own risk.

Leaning against my room's doorframe, I stared at Tim sleeping. He was on his stomach in my bed, his feet sticking out from under the covers. I had a great view of his back muscles when he shifted, his hand reaching over to my side of the bed. When he grabbed at sheets instead of me, his head lifted to search for me. I tiptoed over.

My hand touched the skin of his back followed by my lips. He rubbed his face just as I straddled his lower back and leaned forward to press kisses on his shoulders.

Tim turned over, making sure I stayed on him. He immediately started kissing me, hands grasping my head to keep me attached to his lips. I didn't mind it at all.

I angled my head just right and slipped my tongue between his lips. I don't think he was expecting it because he pulled my face away and studied my face.

"You look really cute right now." I blushed and kissed the corner of his mouth. "Really cute."

"You think I'm sexy in the mornin'."

"Guilty." I grinned and brushed back his messy hair. "I can't get enough of Tim Riggins. I get to go to bed with him and wake up with him..." My lips touched the flesh between his pecks. "One of these days, I'm gonna have my way with him."

"He's a lucky guy. You think today is his lucky day?"

I kissed his lips. "His lucky day was back in Mexico when he got me."

Tim groaned and wrapped his arms around me. "You're killin' me, Barton."

"I love you," I said against his lips. "Come with me to church this morning and no, I'm not hoping the sermon will reach you. I just want to walk in there with you holdin' my hand. I want you to sit next to me, put your arm on the back of the seat behind me, and play with my hair."

"Is that why you woke me up so nice?"

I shook my head and curled up beside him. "I did that because I wanted to."

His eyes bounced around my face. "Yeah, I'll go with you."

"Really?"

"Sure."

I made us late because making out with Tim Riggins was much better than getting ready.

"Thank you for comin' with me," I said as Tim pulled into a grocery store parking lot. I nodded toward it. "What're you gettin'?"

Tim leaned close as he shut the truck off. "Maybe some chocolate, some kind of fruit... a can of whipped cream."

"Yeah?" I smirked.

He kissed me. "Sounds like a good time, huh?"

I nodded, biting my lip.

"What do you want for lunch?" His cute grin was on his face again.

"Some kind of meat. I could use the protein." I didn't miss Tim hide the amusement of my choice of words. I rolled my eyes and shoved him out of his seat. "Get stuff for burgers, creep. I haven't seen you grill somethin' in a while."

"Sounds good. I'll be back soon."

I watched him go inside and then put my head back against the seat. I closed my eyes.

After telling him how I felt, things were really good between us. I felt happy. Tim had a smile on his face almost every day. Things were going great for us. I smiled to myself.

A loud tap on the glass made me jump up straight. A group of guys I didn't recognize surrounded my side of the window. A larger man with scraggly facial hair motioned for me to roll down the window.

I glanced at the driver-side door to the lock was up and I knew mine was, too. If I could get my side locked and then the other side, I could hold them off long enough for Tim to get back.

I rolled the window down an inch, resting my arm over the lock. "What can I do for ya?"

"You're Riggins' pretty little lady, aren't ya?"

"Maybe. Who's asking?"

"Guy Raston, ex-roommate."

Several foul words went through my head. My arm's weight finally pushed down the lock, making Guy grin wickedly.

"You've heard of me, haven't you?"

"Most of Dillon has. You've got quite the reputation."

"Not quite like your pretty boyfriend."

My eyes followed two of his guys meandering over to the driver's side. I scooted over to lock the door before they could get there.

"I bet Timmy told you all kinds of things about me," Guy went on. "Like how I let him in when he had nowhere else to go or how I took him huntin' and let him use my guns."

I stayed centered on the seat, eyes shifting to each man. "He mentioned something about it and I really ought to thank you for givin' him a roof over his head."

"I'm sure he mentioned how he took advantage of my kindness and stole somethin' from me."

"No, sir."

He chuckled. "So polite." Guy slammed his hands on the window to scare me. "I'd like to break that out of a pretty girl like you."

My eyes met Tim's when he walked out of the store. He dropped the groceries and came after the nearest guy, punching him in the face. I shouted at him to stop, for all of them to stop, but the other three guys converged on Tim. I didn't hesitate to reach through the back window and grab something heavy. All I found was a fat piece of wood, but it would work.

I jumped out and swung at the nearest guy who put his fist into Tim's cheek. I didn't get a chance to swing again because Guy grabbed me from behind. I kicked and shouted, hoping someone would come out and help. Guy groped at my chest to taunt Tim, which he took the bait. The last man still upright took a bottle off the ground and smashed it on Tim's head. He went down and I screamed out for him. He didn't move.

"I've gotta punish Timmy and what a better way than to ruin is pretty girlfriend," Guy said in my ear.

I screamed and started kicking again, but the second guy grabbed my legs to keep me still. I refused to stop fighting back even though I was tiring out. My heart stopped when the other two guys got off the ground.

"Take her around the building."

Sobs mixed in with my shouts, getting louder as I was taken around the side of the store. The other two guys stumbled over and watched while I wept. Guy held me against his chest, reaching under my shirt. I felt that there was no hope left for me. The second man started working on my belt, so I kicked harder. Adrenaline was the only thing keeping me fighting.

I shouted out more, praying to God someone was around to hear me. I closed my eyes when I heard that horrifying sound of my belt coming undone. All of my screams became weak sobs and my body started to shut down.

"Get away from her!"

My eyes shot open. Matt Saracen and Landry Clarke were running toward me with some sort of weapon in their hands. The two guys watching started running the opposite direction, falling over each other because of their foggy minds. Matt and Landry's names ripped up my throat as I called out to them. I swore there was a golden light shining behind them as they sent all four men running. I barely heard Guy threaten to come back if Tim didn't get him his money.

Matt slid on the dirt as he reached me, gathering me into his arms while Landry called the police. I couldn't stop crying long enough to say anything as I latched onto Matt.

"Are you okay, Catherine? Did they... Did they...?"

I shook my head, choking on my words.

Matt cradled my head against his shoulder. He looked at Landry. "Make sure Tim is okay. I'll stay with her."

An avalanche of thank yous spilled from my mouth as I cried, Matt rocking me to help calm me down. He kept saying soft words that I couldn't understand through my mutterings. I could have called the cops on my cell instead of trying to be a hero.

Matt and I both looked up when we heard shoes scuff against the dirt. Landry was leading Tim over. There was blood on his face and a bruise forming on his cheek, but he didn't care when he saw me broken in the quarterback's arms. He ran over, stumbling a little from getting knocked out.

"What happened?" He took me from Matt and sat back against the building. "What did he do?"

I couldn't speak, blubbering against his chest. Tim looked at Matt for an explanation.

"Tim, they were... those guys were..." Even Matt struggled.

"They tried to rape her," Landry said.

A wave of nausea came over me and I jumped out of Tim's arms to puke behind the dumpster. I couldn't bring myself to get up when I collapsed on the ground.

Tim scooted over to me and rubbed my back. He started apologizing, his voice thick with emotion. I knew immediately he was blaming himself, so I crawled into his lap and cried my way through telling him it wasn't his fault.

We didn't move when the police showed up with an ambulance. I held onto Tim when they forced us to get checked over by the paramedics. They took some photos of the scene, of Tim's face, of my clothes that I hadn't put back together. The police asked the boys questions about the situation but asked Tim to bring me in later when I could talk without crying. He agreed and took me home.

Tim was right outside the bathroom door when I finished my shower. He hugged me and held me until I pulled away. I took his hand and led him to the back patio. I made him lie down on one of the lounge chairs before curling up next to him. His hand ran through my hair.

"I'm so sorry, Cat," Tim said. He was getting emotional again.

I didn't speak. I rubbed my cheek against his chest to reassure him. Any negative feelings I had that day weren't aimed toward Tim.

"I never should have taken the money."

"Don't beat yourself up. Please. It's not your fault." I sounded hollow in my ears.

"They wouldn't have come after you if I left it alone."

"Please, Tim. I don't want to think about it right now. I want to be here with you... in this moment. Just forget all of it for a little bit.

"Okay." I could tell he wasn't happy about it.

I fell asleep on him in that small seat. His heartbeat was the one thing that soothed me enough to find sleep.

Tyra found me after school on her way to the volleyball practice Mrs. Taylor asked her to go to. I smiled a little at her.

"Landry told me what happened. I think he hoped I could help since something similar happened to me."

"You were attacked?"

She nodded. "How are ya doin' today?"

Shrugging, I pulled my backpack higher on my shoulders. "One second I'm okay and the next I'm a mess."

"That'll stop. It'll take time, but you won't feel that way forever."

"How did you deal with guys being around you... touching you?"

Tyra sighed and pulled me to the side. "That'll get better, too. Just be patient."

Tears welled up in my eyes. "I have panic attacks if Tim accidentally bumps into me. I'm like a broken dog that has to see him coming before he can get close."

She hugged me. "I wish I knew how to help you more than lettin' you talk about it."

"I'm just scared Tim is going to get tired of me freakin' out and leave me. I can't do this without him."

"Tim is a cocky piece of work when he wants to be, but he looks at you like you're the only booze worth drinkin'." Tyra smiled. "Your relationship is built on trust, so trust him, Cat. He would never hurt you."

I nodded and wiped my tears away.

"Why don't you come with me to this practice? Tim will be there helpin' out, so you can stare at his cute butt and enjoy yourself.

A light giggle came out of my mouth. "Yeah. It is pretty cute."

Tyra smiled again, taking my hand and leading me to the gym.

Tim saw me instantly and dropped all of the volleyballs in his arms to come toward me. Mrs. Taylor called for him to come back, but stopped when she saw me. What happened to me was common knowledge at that point.

Tim approached me carefully, stopping about a foot away to let me come to him if I wanted to. I did.

I sniffled. "I love you."

His lips touched the top of my head. "I love you, too. Can I walk you to the bleachers?"

I nodded.

Tim grabbed my hand, slipping his fingers between mine and he led me past Mrs. Taylor to a seat. He kissed my forehead before resuming his post.

Tyra was having a hard time finding her spiking power as practice went on. Mrs. Taylor went over to her and started talking. Tim rolled balls over to the other side and gave me a toothy grin for the heck of it. It made me smile.

Mrs. Taylor called for the girls to start sending balls to Tyra, the first one bee-lining for Tim's head. He caught it just in time with wide eyes. The next one shot past him.

Each spike got funnier as Tim tried to dodge Tyra's wrath. I laughed hard when a ball hit him in the ass while he was going for another ball. I didn't know volleyball practice was so much fun to watch.

I waited for Tim to finish cleaning up after practice. Watching him be responsible was kinda attractive. I was pretty sure I was staring at him dreamily by the time he walked over to me.

He sat one level up from my seat, letting me lean against his leg. "How are you?"

I smiled a little. "Better than this morning. Tyra talked to me a little about what happened to her and I got to see a bunch of volleyballs hit you."

"I should have you kiss my ass to make it feel better because you're too happy about it."

My smile slowly faded as I stared into Tim's eyes. The healing wound on his forehead made me feel sad. "You're not gonna leave me because of what happened? Because of how scared I am?"

His eyes saddened. "I don't plan on it, no."

I nodded into his leg before pressing my lips against his jeans. "Can we go see Matt and Landry?"

Tim's lips turned up knowingly. "Come on."

We walked over to the boy's locker room where Tim walked in far enough to keep me in sight and get their attention. The two boys followed behind Tim, surprised to see me waiting for them.

"Hey, Catherine," Matt said. "You okay?"

"Yeah, uh..." I looked up at Tim and then back at the boys. "I wanna thank you both properly for... for the other day. I wanted to thank you while not in hysterics." I blinked back the tears I felt creeping up.

"I'm glad we got there in time," Landry said.

"I'm sorry you had to go through that again," I told him. "Tyra told me."

Tim and Matt looked at each other.

"Don't be sorry, Catherine. I-I'm sorry you had to go through that."

I released a short breath and hugged Landry. I squeezed my arms for a second and then hugged Matt. "I owe you guys a lot." My eyes shot to Tim. "We owe you a lot." I stepped away from them and stood close to Tim. He placed his hand on my back.

"Thank you," Tim said. Sincerity was evident in his words.

Matt nodded and Landry smiled. They went back into the locker room with soft touches to my shoulder, which Tim watched closely to make sure I was okay.

I hugged Tim, sighing into his chest. It was safe there.