Notice how I changed the story title to 'Misery Loves Company.' I think that's what I'm going to call the story for now on. Unless, you guys want to tell me otherwise.

Got the radio on playing on a low volume. Birds are chirping in the summer breeze. It's been a pretty easy going day. Chris hasn't done much but sit inside his police car waiting to hand out traffic tickets to reckless drivers. Just as the sun was beginning to set, Chris got a call on his speaker.

"I just got a report on a 502. A drunk driver was getting off Linker highway when they crashed into another car. They need more officers on the scene. Any officers in the area please respond."

"This is officer, Cavanaugh responding to your call. I'm about a mile away from there, so I'm heading to the scene now. Over."

"Roger that."

Chris puts the car in drive and headed towards the scene of the accident. It took him less than a minute to arrive. He pulled up behind another police cruiser and got out. At the scene of the accident, there're about four other police cars. All of them are leaning their heads in the passenger's side window of a light blue Toyota Yaris that's banged up pretty badly. By the looks of it, the front of the car got the hardest hit and spun off the road right into the guardrail.

"We need a medic!" One of the officers shouted.

Chris jogged over to the side of the car, "what's going on?"

"There's a little girl trapped inside the car. She can't be any older than thirteen."

Chris took a peek inside the window and gasped. He knows that little girl and he knows the driver pretty well too. Peter Hastings is the driver of this vehicle. He was drunk driving while he had his thirteen-year-old daughter sitting in the front seat. Right now, Spencer appeared to be unconscious and has a trail of blood dripping down the left side of her forehead.

"This is officer Cavanaugh requesting an ambulance just right off Linker Highway."

"This is Bridget from the station. An Ambulance is already on the way."

Chris sighed and put his speaker away. He ran a hand over his hair and sighed. What on earth is he going to tell Toby? As soon as he hears that Spencer was in an accident, he's going to flip. Right now, he needs to focus on getting Spencer help. As far as he can tell, she's still alive and breathing.

Toby sat in his bedroom reading one of his books. He seemed to be really invested in reading The Cay when his mother came in. Marion knocked lightly on his bedroom door and came in without really waiting for an answer. He's not really in the mood to talk to his parents right now. Toby rolled his eyes and turned around to look at her. He was about to say something snappy until he saw the beginning of tears in her eyes. His face softened immediately.

"Mom?"

"We need to get to the hospital," she said calmly.

He pushed himself up on his knees, "what? Why? Did something happen to dad?"

Marion shook her head, "no, we just need to go now."

"Mom, wait!" He sat on the edge of his bed. "What's going on?"

She sighed and pulled up the chair that usually sits in front of his desk. She rolls the chair right beside his bed then, takes a seat. Toby waited for her to say something getting more and more nervous with every passing second she didn't speak.

"Your father called right from the hospital. Spencer was in a car accident this afternoon. She was riding in the car with her father who was intoxicated at the time. He was getting off the highway when he slammed right into another car."

That news hit him like a truck. At that moment, he felt like he was the one who got slammed into by a car. A million questions are running through his brain right now. He has so many of them, yet he can't find the words to use in order to speak. Well, speaking in a way that would make sense. He's afraid if he tried it would all come out in nonsense.

"An accident?" Were the first words that came out of his mouth.

Marion nodded sadly.

"Wha… What? Is...is she okay? Is she hurt badly?"

She shook her head and said, "I'm not sure. All your father told me was that Spencer was in a car accident and that I should probably tell you and get you to the hospital. He's not sure what condition Spencer is in right now, but she was unresponsive when the paramedics got there."

"Oh my god."

Toby stood up quickly from the bed and put on his shoes. The whole car ride to the hospital felt like a year. His mind keeps wondering. Most of the time his brain keeps going to a dark place. What if Spencer got hurt so bad that she'll never be able to walk again? What if she has to live in a coma for several years? What if she dies? What if she's already dead? He'll never get the chance to say goodbye. He wouldn't be able to see her one last time. The last memory he has with her is when he came back from Spring Break. Spencer spent the night and she kept going on about wanting to get away. She talked about how she felt unwanted and unloved. That was the night Toby told her he loved her. In a friendly way of course.

"Chris," Marion spotted Mr. Cavanaugh pacing around the waiting room. He's still wearing his cop uniform and he has a small cup of coffee clenched in his right hand.

"Hey," Chris walked over to greet them.

"How is she?"

"Well, one person did die in the accident."

Marion gasped, "please tell me it wasn't Spencer."

All of a sudden, Toby's chest felt really tight.

"Spencer's not dead," Chris confirmed.

They both sighed,

"The driver of the car Peter ran into died. He was only twenty and heading home to his girlfriend."

Although Toby feels bad about the other driver, he much rather hear how Spencer's doing. The whole car ride over here, he kept playing back every good memory he's ever had with Spencer. Just in case she did die.

"What about Spencer?" Toby asked. "How is she?"

Chris looked at Toby and gave him a sad look, "the doctor came out right before you two showed up. Right now, Spencer's awake. She took a minor blow to the head, but other than that, she has a few cuts and bruises on her face, neck, and arms. However, the nurses noticed some cuts and bruises on her body that may not be from the accident at all."

"What do you mean?" Marion asked.

Chris looked at the two of them, "the doctors think Peter's been abusing Spencer."

Have you ever been a room so quiet that you could hear the clock ticking on the wall? Maybe even the sound of a person breathing from all the way in the other side of the room. That's how quiet it is in Spencer's room. Not much has happened today. She went to breakfast, got a change of clothes then, went back to her cell. Right now, she's just lying on her back looking up at the ceiling. A lot is going through her mind right now. Like what she's going to do when she gets out of here in a few months.

As soon as she's freed from this place, she'll be back on her own. She won't be safe. In here, she sort of has a 24-hour protection from the guards here. Out there, she's not as protected. There are people out there that want to hurt her. How is she going to keep protecting herself once she gets out? To make matters even worse, for the past several days, Spencer's been suffering some major drug withdrawals. She would find herself waking up in the middle of the night getting horrible cramps. Her whole body would start sweating or shivering. Her body temperature feels like it's alternating between hot and cold every ten minutes. It's insane. Sometimes her cramps would get so bad, she would find herself waking up screaming in the middle of the day, afternoon, or even in the middle of the night.

"Spencer."

As always, Toby entered the cell with some new demand. He returned two days ago and ever since he's got back, he's been acting like a real asshole. Spencer's about had it with his assholeness.

"What?" She snapped.

He gave her a look, "don't raise your voice to me."

"Fine," she faked a smile and fluttered her eyelids. "What is it that you want, sweet officer, Toby?"

"You have a class today."

"A class on what?"

"Crime and discipline. Get moving."

Toby noticed how she coward back into the corner of her bed. He knows why. Spencer's already had all the discipline anyone could ever have. She hugged her knees tightly against her chest and rested her chin on top.

"I'm not going to that class," she muttered quietly.

"You don't really have much of a choice. This is their way of getting the message crossed."

"Well, the message has already been received. Thank you for your fine education, but that's something I've learned in preschool. I know not to wet the bed, forget to put my dirty clothes in the hamper, or wash the dishes. I know not to stay out too late or raise my voice. If that's what they're going to teach me, I don't need to hear it. It's a complete waste of my time!"

"I can't just let you skip it. You have to be there. Now, let's go!"

"No!" She shouted. "No! No, I'm not. I can't go there. No more yelling," she cupped her hands over her ears. "I've already been yelled at my whole life. I can't take it anymore! Just please, go away!"

Toby stood by the door not knowing what to say. It would be pretty wrong of him to make her go to that. He knows that Spencer isn't a criminal. She just made some mistakes. Anyone with her past would probably react the same way. He pinched the bridge of his nose and turned around to leave. As he was walking out, something fell out of his pocket and fluttered to the ground. Toby left the cell without even realizing it. After he left, Spencer continued to sit there with her head buried against her knee caps. Maybe letting herself get arrested wasn't such a good idea. All it is is more yelling. She's had enough of that. Moments later, Spencer lifted her head. She wiped her eyelids and noticed something lying on the ground. It's a small little rectangle. She climbed off her bed and walked over to pick it up. It's some kind of picture. She turned the picture right side up and was surprised at what she saw.

"Cavanaugh," Garrett called after him.

Toby turned around, "what can I do for you?"

"You can start by telling me why you're not escorting Ms. Hastings to her class."

"Ms. Hastings is not feeling well today, so I think it would be better if she just stays where she is and rests."

"Our job isn't to make these inmates feel at home. They're here to build character."

"Screaming in front of their faces Isn't going to help them. It will only make things worse," Toby argued.

"I'm guessing you've never seen the T.V show 'Scared Straight' have you?"

"What does that have to do with anything?"

"It means, sometimes being rough does help. It helps them to understand what happens to you when you commit a crime. After coming here, they'll never want to commit a crime again."

"Spencer is not a criminal!" Toby hissed.

"I see," Garrett smirked. "And you know this for sure?"

"Yes, actually, I do know for sure."

"Wildon won't be too happy when he hears about this."

"Leave her alone, Garret. She's been through her fair share of tough love. Just back off or…"

"Or what?" He challenged. "Are you going to make me?"

"Yeah," Toby nodded. "If I have to, I will."

"Whatever you say, officer Cavanaugh."

Garret tightened the belt around his waist and continued on walking down the hall. Toby watched him with close eyes. When he first started working here, he didn't think Garret would be much trouble. Turns out, he might not be nothing but trouble.

Flashback Toby goes back to see Spencer who is sitting half awake in her hospital bed. She see's him and smiles brightly. He's glad to see her alive and okay, but he's upset with her for not telling him what was going on with her father. Spencer noticed the look on his face and her smile faded.

"You don't have to be upset, Toby," her voice sounded strained. Most likely from all the smoke she inhaled from the airbag in the car crash. "I'm okay, I barely got hurt in the accident."

Toby stood there saying nothing. Even though he has a lot to say to her, he can't find the right words. She's talking about the car crash and yes, he was worried about that. Right now though, she clearly has no idea that he knows about her being abused by her father. And she's still not saying anything about it. He feels like she's lying to him.

"Look," she sighed. "I get that you were worried and for a minute you probably thought I was dead. Can't even imagine what you must've felt, but I'm okay. The doctor said I will be okay to go home tomorrow. All is good."

"All is good?" Toby spoke for the first time. He crossed his arms and walked over to her giving her a stern look. "You're saying all is good after what happened?"

"Toby I was in a car accident with my dad…"

"Yes, you were," he interrupted her. "You were in the car with your father while he was drunk. He was driving with you in the front seat of his car while intoxicated. Now, you're saying all is good? All is not good, Spencer! You're father almost killed you this afternoon!"

"I know," she tried sitting up more. "I know what this must look like."

"Have you ever been in the car with him before when he was drunk?"

She didn't answer right away. She simply looked down at the hospital bracelet on her wrist. How is she supposed to answer that?

"Spencer," Toby raised his voice and stepped closer to her. "Have you been in the car with him while he was like this before?"

"A few," she whispered.

"A few? How many is a few? Eight, nine?"

"About twelve times."

"Twelve! What the…"

Toby took a deep breath and ran his hands through his hair. He had to take a moment to calm himself down before speaking. There's no reason to yell at her. She must have a good reason as to why she's been keeping her father's abuse a secret. He knows Spencer. He knows her better than anyone. He put his hands on his hips and shook his head at her.

"How long has this been going on, Spencer?"

"How long has what been going on? My father's drinking?"

"No," he shook his head. "How long has your dad been hitting and neglecting you?"

At that moment, Spencer sat there like a deer caught in the headlights. There was no way she'd be able to lie her way out of this one. Two doctor's, several nurses, and Toby's father has seen many bruises all over her body. And most of them are old ones. The gig is up. Toby knows the truth now.

"What makes you think that's what's been going on?" She asked biting her lip.

"For one, you're not denying it and two, the doctor saw a bunch of cuts and bruises all over your body."

"Maybe they're from the accident."

"Spence."

"Okay," Spencer sighed.

She swung her legs over to sit on the edge of her hospital bed. Toby walks over and sits beside her. Whatever she has to say, Toby's ready to listen. Honestly, he wishes she would've told him while all of this was happening.

"It's been going on ever since my mother died. Before, he would just yell at me every time I screwed up. After mom passed away, things got a little different. He would smack me around a couple times a week when he got pissed. As time went by and I got older, things got worse. Dad has a bad day at work, that's two hits. I forget to do something he asked, five hits. If I do something that really sets him off, he would hit me so hard. A few times I blacked out and woke up in the middle of the living room floor."

There is only a handful of things that could break Toby's heart into millions of pieces. One, anything upsetting his mother. Two, his father dying while on duty. Three, anything bad that could happen to his family. And finally, anyone hurting Spencer in anyway possible. Whether someone's threatening her or slapping her, or even goes as far as to kill her. Toby has made it his responsibility to look out for her, protect her, and keep her safe. Knowing that all of this was happening to her right under his nose makes him feel like he failed to do his job. Why didn't she say anything? She should have told somebody. Why didn't she tell him? Does she not trust him?

"Spencer," he started gently. "Why didn't you tell anyone that this was happening?"

She shrugged, "my father is one of the top lawyers of this state. I didn't think anybody would believe me."

"You should've told me. You know that you can tell me anything, Spencer. Knowing that your dad has been hurting you all this time and I never knew about it. I could've done something."

She looked up with tears in her eyes, "I know I should've told you, but I just couldn't."

"And why not?"

"Because if I told you, you would've tried acting like a hero. I was afraid you would get hurt. That's why I never told you. Everyday, I would wake up with the intention to tell you, but I was scared. Scared about what my father might do to you if he knew that you knew and that you would tell your dad. He probably would've done something to prevent you from telling your dad."

She looked down at her hands. "I worried that I would lose you the same way I lost my mother. I'm pretty sure my dad killed my mom, but there is no proof."

"Spencer, you don't have to worry about me. I'm always going to be here to protect you and make sure nobody ever hurts you again. You can't keep letting your father do this to you. Right now, my dad is questing your father. He's saying that he never laid a hand on you, but I know that's not the truth. When the doctors and police ask you for your version of the story, you have to tell them the truth. Please, Spencer. I don't want you getting hurt anymore. Promise me that you will open up."

She wiped the tears streaming down her face, "I promise."

"Okay," he wrapped his arm around her and she leaned her head on his shoulder. "I'm glad you're okay. If you would've died in that car crash…"

"I know," she finished for him. "I know."

He leaned in and kissed her softly on the forehead.

"What's going to happen to me know, Tobes?"

"Well, I don't know Spencer. After you talk to the police my dad will probably have you removed from your current living space. I don't know what's going to happen to you. But I do know one thing for sure. That no matter what happens or where you go, I'm always going to be here for you. I'll always be your best friend."

She looked at him, "you promise?"

Toby took off this little black bracelet he always keeps around his wrist. He unties it then, ties it around her much smaller wrist. He kissed her again on the forehead letting his lips linger there for an extra second.

"I promise," he whispered.

Hey, hope you liked this chapter and the flashbacks. I know a lot of you are probably wondering when Spencer will start opening up again. All I can say is, we're getting there. I know that's a classic Marlene King saying, but I swear. We're getting closer. I'm thinking in the next one, two at the most. If you go back and read, you'll notice she's already been dropping little hints. You guys are smart cookies and a lot of you are getting it. Thanks for reading and please, please, please. For the love of Spoby review.