AN: This chapter is a bit intense. There's violence. Just a warning.

Fabrizo glanced out the window. "Rain's not letting up," he said. They sat in the café at a table in the corner. By the time they met with Bob the storm was starting. They ducked into the café to stay dry, figuring it would pass quickly. As the minutes ticked by, they realized that wasn't likely to happen. "We can't make it back in time," Fabrizo added. "It's not possible."

Jack stared down at his cup. "I know," he said grimly. "I don't like it."

"Rose'll be fine. Lucy's probably there, so at least she's not alone."

Jack wasn't sure how comforting that thought was, but he didn't say anything. It wasn't time to tell Fabrizo about his past with Lucy. "I just, I have a bad feeling," he said. "We've gotta get back."

Cal stepped behind the door as it opened. Rose came through first, Lady tugging at her skirt and growling quietly. "There's nothing-" Rose's words died in her throat as she turned around. Her blood ran cold, and time stood still. Cal grabbed Lucy's arm and pulled her back. She gasped, more in surprise than pain. He held one arm behind her. His hand encircled her neck. Rose moved toward them. "No," he warned. "I wouldn't, if I were you, Rose."

Lucy's eyes were wide. "What's going on?" she gasped.

"Let her go," Rose said. It was a struggle to keep her voice steady. "She isn't part of this. You have no reason to hurt her."

"Rose, do you know who he is?" Lucy asked. Cal tightened his grip, and she cried out.

"Don't ask questions," Rose said. "The less you know, the better." Her knees were like rubber. "Cal, please. I'll do anything. Just don't hurt her. Don't bring anyone else into this. You came here for me."

"Fighting for your friend," Cal said drily. "How noble of you," His mouth curled into a cold smile. "You're right. I did come for you. I'm not interested in her. However, I can't be certain she won't tell someone she saw us."

"She won't," Rose insisted. "You've made your point. You've scared her. Just let her leave, and I won't fight you."

Amusement gleamed in his dark eyes. "As if you could, my darling," he said. "Fine." He released his hold on Lucy. "Go on," he ordered. "While I'm feeling generous."

Lucy looked at Rose. "You heard him," Rose said. "Get out of here. Now. There's no reason for you to be hurt."

Lucy ran without looking back. She burst out into the rain, hardly feeling it. Her heart pounded, and the trembling in her body had nothing to do with the cold.

Meanwhile, Cal moved toward Rose. She stepped back, instinctively shrinking from him. Lady ran in front of her, barking. Warning growls issued from her throat. With a laugh, Cal kicked her aside. She skidded across the floor, whimpering. "No!" Rose cried, lunging for her. Cal grabbed her arm. His fingers dug into her skin, and he jerked her back.

His lips were close to her ear. She felt his breath. "We have things to discuss," he said. "It's not every day I'm reunited with my wife."

…..

Lucy was nearly home when she tripped over an exposed tree root. She tumbled forward, catching herself just in time. The sky was black; the trees swayed in the wind. "What am I doing?" she said. "I can't leave her there. He'll kill her." There wasn't time to think, to consider why she cared or why Rose's battle was any of her business. Had she been thinking, Lucy would have fetched her brothers and then gone back, but adrenaline coursed through her, driving her back the way she'd come, heedless of the consequences.

Lucy crept up to the back door. An axe had been left on the porch. She picked it up, grateful for someone's carelessness. The kitchen was empty, but she heard the struggle going on in the next room. Rose screamed, and glass shattered. There was a crash. Cal swore. Holding her breath. Lucy eased the door open. They didn't notice her.

The room was in a shambles. Windows were broken. Furniture was knocked over and in pieces. Rose stood against the wall, a chair leg in her trembling hands. Her face was cut. Bruises were forming on her cheek and her arms. Her eyes blazed defiantly as she raised the make-shift weapon. "You'll have to kill me," she said. "I won't go back."

"Do you think I can't take you back alive?" Cal scoffed. "I found you didn't I? All the way out here in your little safe haven. This romantic hideaway in the woods, the place you thought I'd never look." He stepped toward her. "You're mine, Rose," he said softly. "And I don't give away my things."

"I'll run away again if you try and take me back," she promised.

He laughed. "You'll never manage it."

"Maybe not, but I'll try. I'll spend the rest of my life trying to get away," she said. "And Jack will come for me. You know he will. He helped me escape before. He'll help me again."

"He won't get the chance. I'll make sure of that."

Rose swung the chair leg, landing a blow on Cal's shoulder. He staggered back, stunned. His face contorted in rage. "You bitch!" he snarled. He leapt toward her. Rose scrambled to get away. Lucy ran forward. She brought the axe down against his back, blunt side up. It was only a split second of clarity, but she realized injuring him was preferable to killing him. She couldn't live with that on her conscience; all she wanted was a chance for them to get away.

Cal howled in pain as he crumpled to the floor. Rose stared at Lucy. "Come on!" Lucy yelled. "Now!"

But Rose reacted too slowly. Cal was on his feet again by the time she started to run. He grabbed her from behind, yanking her curls, and shoved her to the floor. Rose screamed. She twisted around, trying to get out from under him. He laughed as he hit her. One slap. Then another. And another. Rose couldn't see. Blood spurted from her nose. Cal's eyes were frenzied.
Lucy prepared to swing again. "I wouldn't," he said, pulling a gun from his jacket pocket.

Lucy's gaze flicked over to Rose. She lay still, her eyes closed; her breathing was shallow. The damage done to her was even worse up close. Lucy knew she had to do something; it couldn't end like this. She met Cal's eyes. "You won't kill me," she said confidently.

"Are you certain?"

"Why hunt her down just to kill her?" Lucy argued. "You want her back; otherwise, you wouldn't be here. You would have shot her and been done with it."

Cal pointed the gun at Rose. "Are you quite certain?" he asked. Suddenly, Lady sprang onto his back. She sunk her tiny, razor-sharp teeth into his shoulder. He forgot Rose as he attempted to shake off the little dog. She held on fast.

Here was their chance. Lucy swung the axe again, hitting his head this time. Cal's eyes rolled back in his head, and he fell with a hollow grown. He didn't move. Lucy kicked him in the stomach. He didn't react.

"Come on, Rose," she urged, lifting the other girl to her feet. Rose wobbled. Her eyes opened. "What? Lucy?"

"There's no time," Lucy said. "We have to go."

"Cal." Rose's eyes focused just enough for her to make out his shape on the floor. "Is he—"

"I don't know," Lucy said. "We'll find out later." She put her arm around Rose, propping her up. "Let's go." Rose was too weak to argue as they hurried out into the storm. Lady limped along behind them.

…..

The storm wasn't letting up. In fact, it was getting worse. Thunder shook the café. "Think we can make it back at all?" Fabrizo said.

"We've gotta try," Jack replied.

"I hope Lucy didn't get caught in this."

"She probably stayed at home," Jack said. "Or she got to our place early, and she and Rose are safe together."

"Maybe they'll be friends after this," Fabrizo said.

"Maybe."

Reluctantly, they left the warmth of the café. The streets were awash with mud; water was up to their ankles. "You sure we can do this?" Fabirzo yelled, struggling to be heard.

"What?" Jack yelled back.

"You think we'll make it home?"

"I don't know." Jack looked around. He never would have guessed it was only a little past noon. The sky was as dark as night. He couldn't see through the sheets of rain. His unease grew, forming a knot in his stomach. They had to get back; they couldn't wait for the storm to pass. Rose needed him now. Leaving her was a mistake. Jack was sure of it, though he couldn't explain how he knew. And yet, he also knew trying to get back now would be dangerous. He couldn't ask Fabrizo to take that kind of risk just because he had a bad feeling.

"Maybe we should find somewhere else to dry off and wait," Jack yelled. "It's gotta blow over soon, right?"

"Right. We'll probably get lost if we go now anyway."

…..

Rose and Lucy ran blindly. Tree branches whipped into their faces; roots grabbed at their ankles; mud splashed their legs, but they didn't stop. Their hearts pounded; their lungs burned. They held each other tightly, never looking back. Lady managed to stay at their heels. If Cal was behind them, they didn't want to know. They could hardly see anyway.

…..

Cal didn't know where he was. He lay on the floor, head aching, and stared at the ceiling. Bit by bit, the morning's events came back to him. The pain worsened as he sat up. Gingerly, he held his head in his hands. This wasn't how things were supposed to go at all. Rose wasn't supposed to fight back. Where had she gotten that kind of nerve? Even with Jack around, she was supposed to be easy prey.

Cal climbed to his feet. The storm still raged outside. Rain blew in through the broken windows. He considered his options. He could wait, in hopes they would return. The cold and the storm almost guaranteed they would, unless they could find shelter nearby. That seemed likely, too, though. Rose knew him well enough to anticipate his moves. She might guess he would be waiting for them. What if they weren't alone when they came back? Enough had gone wrong already. He didn't need a gang of local men involved.

Cal straightened his clothes. Going after them was the best choice. He checked for his gun and chuckled when he found it kicked into a corner. "You should have taken it with you, Rose," he said. "You might have had a chance.'

Rose didn't know how long they ran before they finally collapsed. Her breathe came in gasps; her whole body shook. Lady pressed against her, licking her hands. She gathered the little dog in her arms. They were both drenched. Lady was shivering, but at least she was there. Rose blinked away tears. It finally happened. All those months of worrying, of telling herself it wouldn't happen, and it finally had. Her worst fears were coming to life again, and just like always, she'd been powerless to stop it.

"I don't know where we are," Lucy said. "I was trying to get us back to my house, but I can't see a thing. Can you?"

Rose shook her head. "No."

"I guess that's not so bad," Lucy went on. "If we can't see anything, neither can that guy."

"A storm isn't going to stop him. If he wants to find us, he will. Trust me."

"Let's not make it easy for him," Lucy said. "C'mon."

They stopped when they came to a cluster of still-leafy trees. "We'll be a little drier under there," Lucy said.

"What about lightning?" Rose asked.

"Yeah, guess you're right. Let's keep going."

The next time they stopped it was at the entrance to a small cave. "This could work," Rose said. They hurried inside. It was dark, but at least it was dry. They huddled together against the smooth rock wall. They saw out easily, but no-one passing by could see in. "I know where we are now," Lucy said. "We're only a couple miles from home. We ran all the way to the other side of our land. We used to play here when we were kids." She glanced at Rose, who didn't seem to have heard.

Rose stared at the ground. Jack filled her mind. The way he looked the night they met. When they kissed for the first time. When he slept. In the lake, under the moon. She squeezed her eyes shut against what came next. Jack, bruised and bloody in the cargo hold. Hitting the floor of her suite, deathly pale, eyes closed. It would happen again when Cal found him. There was no question of if he would find them, only of when. I'm so sorry, Jack, she said silently. I never wanted this to happen.

"Rose?" Lucy nudged her. Tears trickled from her closed eyes, and Lucy realized her shaking was about more than just the temperature. She put an arm around her. "Rose, we're gonna be alright," she said. "I promise. We aren't that far from home. When the rain stops, we'll find my brothers. They'll help."

"You should go," Rose said.

"What?"

"You shouldn't stay with me," Rose said. "It's not safe. He'll find me, and when he does….Please, Lucy, you've been hurt enough already. I can't help Jack anymore, but…."

"Nothing's gonna happen to Jack," Lucy said. "He and Fabrizo are probably still in town. They'd have to be crazy to go out in this storm."

"He won't give up. I knew he wouldn't," Rose said, not hearing her.

"Who is that guy?" Lucy asked. "Why he's want to hurt you?"

"He's my husband," Rose answered.

….

Jack paced the length of the room. They'd rented one of the cheaper hotel rooms, reasoning they could dry their clothes and stay warm better there than anywhere else. "That won't get us home any faster," Fabrizo said.

"I can't just sit still. Aren't you worried?"

"Not really," Fabrizo said. "I'm sorry, Jack. I don't see much reason to be. The girls are fine. They're either together at our house, or Lucy's at home. I know you don't want Rose to be alone, but if she stays inside, the storm can't hurt her. And she's got the dog for company."

"You're probably right." Jack dropped into a chair. He brushed his hair back, leaving it standing up.

"I am right," Fabrizo said. "You'll see."

"As soon as the rain stops, we're leaving."

In fact, Fabrizo had begun to worry. It was probably just Jack's nerves rubbing off on him, but he couldn't shake the feeling. What if something really was wrong? He'd never forgive himself if he just shrugged off Jack's concerns and something happened to Rose or Lucy. "They're fine," he said, as much for himself as for Jack.

…..

"What do you mean he's your husband?" Lucy said. "Jack's your husband."

"He is, in a sense," Rose answered. "Unfortunately, Jack's my husband in every way but the legal one. We've been trying to see what can be done to change that. Or rather, we were going try."

"How did you end up with him?"

"Which one?" Rose said. "Cal or Jack?"

"Both, I guess," Lucy said.

"It's a long story. I never wanted to marry Cal," Rose said slowly. "I had to, for my mother. My family was once quite wealthy. Until my father lost everything. He—He killed himself rather than face it, leaving Mother and I alone to fend for ourselves."

"That's why you married this Cal?"

"He's richer than you can imagine," Rose said. "He could take care of us. My mother couldn't bear the thought of losing the only life she'd ever known. To be honest, I was a little afraid myself. I wasn't brought up to do anything but be decorative. I wanted more, but how was I to get it? I didn't know what I was getting into by marrying Cal."

"He's hurt you before?" Lucy asked.

Rose nodded. "When I met Jack…he was the answer to everything. He was the man I dreamed of. He helped me run away. If not for him, I'd still be with Cal, miserable, waiting to die."

Lucy tightened her arm around Rose. "He isn't going to kill you. He won't hurt Jack, either."

"Who's going to stop him?"

"We are," Lucy replied. "You, me, Fabrizo, my brothers, Jack. We'll make sure it doesn't happen."

"I know what you must think of me," Rose said.

"No," Lucy said, brushing Rose's wet curls away from her face. "You don't."

….

The storm was over when they woke up. Sunlight streamed through the mouth of the cave. Rose's body ached. Moving was torture. Lucy didn't fare much better. Only Lady seemed to have recovered at all.

"We should go," Lucy said. "If we hurry we can make it to my brothers in less than an hour."

"I hope Jack and Fabrizo haven't gotten back yet," Rose said. "He may still be at the house."

"Don't think that way. Besides, there's two of them. They can handle him."

They stayed close as they walked, hands clasped. Neither had to say it; they just felt safer that way. Rose carried a heavy stick in her free hand. It might not be much help against Cal, but it was better than nothing.

They were nearly home when it happened. They make a turn, and there he was. The three of them stood frozen for a moment, until Cal laughed and came toward them. Lady barked angrily. Rose tried to shoo her away. She wasn't big enough to withstand many more kicks.

"Well," he said, in a voice that was almost pleasant. "I knew I'd find you eventually." His dark eyes bore into Rose. "You don't want me to hurt this girl, do you, Rose?"

"You know I don't," Rose said.

"Come along then," he said. "And I won't."

Lucy held fast to Rose's hand. "Don't," she ordered. "Ignore whatever he says."

"She can't protect you," Cal warned. "There's no storm for you to run into now. There's nowhere to hide, Rose. No-one to help you."

Rose's voice cracked. "Leave us alone!" she cried. Cal laughed again. "I mean it," she warned. "I'm not afraid of you."

"Yes, you are," he said. "You're a smart girl. I'm willing to forgive you for this mess you've caused. We'll blame Jack. He influenced you. You're still my wife, after all."

"I'm not," Rose said. "I am not your wife!"

Cal reached out to grab her. "Aren't you?" he snarled. Rose cried out. Lucy shoved him back. He caught her arm. "You," he hissed. He hit her before she could react. Lucy's head snapped back; tears filled her eyes. Cal's fist landed in her stomach; she couldn't breathe. He tossed her aside.

Rose held the stick, poised to fight. Fear shone in her eyes. Her hands were steady. She heard Jack's voice. "You can do this, Rose," he said. "Don't be afraid."

"I'm not afraid," she said.

She swung as Cal lunged for her. The stick slammed into his jaw. He screamed but didn't stop. She swung again. He caught the stick and wrenched it from her hands. His eyes were cold. Suddenly, he had her by the throat. His fingers pressed into her skin. Rose fought to breathe. She clawed at his hands. She had to escape; she couldn't die like this, not now, not after learning what it was like to be happy, to live. Her nails broke the skin. She ripped, barely conscious of what she was doing. His grip loosened. She slammed her knee into him, unsure what she hit. Whatever it was, it doubled him over in pain.

During the struggle, the gun fell from his pocket. "I'm not afraid," Rose gasped. She grabbed the gun. "But you should be."

"Don't, Rose." Tom laid a gentle hand on her arm. "Let me have that," he said. "Don't do something you'll regret." She looked at him. "You're alright now," he said. He carried a shotgun. Billy and Adam were behind him. "We'll handle this." Sobbing, she dropped the gun.