"You're safe, Leaf."

She took a breath.

"Thank you, Gary."

"Of course, Leafy. You're not alone. You'll never be alone."

Leaf looked at Gary and saw the sincerity in his eyes. The truth behind his words. She felt protected and safe.

Before she knew what she was doing, she was leaning forward and was kissing Gary. He began to kiss her back, but then pulled away.

"Leaf. Wait, stop."

She looked at him.

"After everything that's happened right now, let's not do something you might not be ready for. I don't want to push you."

She smiled at him.

"I-"

"I just don't want you to rush into something with all your emotions. Tonight was emotional."

"I get that. Can I ask you something, Gary?"

He nodded.

"What do you think of me?"

"I think you're by far the strongest girl I've ever met. You've been through so much, but you've never given up. I'm glad we're back to being friends and that you've trusted me to share this secret to."

"Yes, you've said this. But feeling wise?"

"Leaf..."

"Gary, I don't care about the bet. I know I've revealed my deepest, darkest secret. But through everything between the fake relationship and being friends with you again, I've realized something."

A small silence passed through. Gary was waiting for her to speak.

"I like you, Gary and the pass few months haven't felt like a fake relationship. I would like to see what we can be...for real." Leaf said, softly and looking at Gary.

"Leaf..."

"I think that with you with me and by my side, I can finally become myself again. I can finally put everything that's happened behind me."

She grabbed his hand and looked at him.

"I-" he started.

"I need you by my side."

Isn't this what he wanted? Leaf to let him back in. She had. But now she was asking to take their friendship to another level. Sure, they had been fake dating. But this would be real. He still didn't want her to rush into something because of this emotional night. But hearing that she needed him there. That meant she fully trusted him, right? She had revealed her darkest secret to him. This meant something. Tonight meant something.

He sighed and squeezed her hand.

"Leaf...I- Over the time that we've been fake dating, I could feel something developing. When you finally let me back into your life I was over the moon. I was just glad to finally have my best friend back. But then, we fell back into the habit of old times and I couldn't help what I was feeling. But I could tell that something still loomed over you... Now I know what that something is. I want to help you and I'll do everything I can to help you. I'm going to keep you safe, Leaf. I promise you, Leafy. I won't let him or anyone else hurt you, ever again."

"You didn't answer me."

He smiled at her gently.

"I was getting there. I'll give you my answer tomorrow. Let's start a new thing tomorrow so it's a happy moment. Tonight has been emotional and a little dark. Tomorrow's a new day, so it can be the start of something new."

He kissed her cheek and smiled at her.

"Okay. Tomorrow," she said, nodding her head.

The two laid back down and Gary laid awake long after she had fallen back asleep. His hand running through her hair. He was going to help Leaf. He would save her from this hell she had endured for so long. She would never be alone or scared ever again. And with that thought he fell asleep.

Gary woke up the next morning and felt something on his chest. As the grogginess cleared, he remembered what had happened last night and who the something was. He looked down and saw Leaf, sleeping peacefully. But his blood boiled as he saw the bruises on her skin from last night. And knowing just how long Leaf had gone through all of the pain without anyone knowing...

He needed to not think of that. Leaf was safe and she was here. He was going to help her.

"Good morning,"

He broke out of his thoughts and saw that Leaf was now awake.

"Morning, Leafy."

She yawned and stretched before she sat up. Gary instantly missed the warmth that she had been providing and wanted her to lay back down so he could hold her longer.

"So?" she asked.

For a moment he was confused, before he realized what she was asking about. She wanted his answer. The answer as to whether or not they would move their relationship pass friendship for real. She had confessed she liked him last night and he had done the same, but hadn't wanted to push her into something.

"I meant what I said last night. Sure, I was a mess, but you've been here for me and yesterday and now prove that you're going to continue to be here for me. I like you, Gary and I want to see where we can go. For real this time and not a fake relationship."

Gary waited a few moments before he spoke.

"Leaf, I do like you and I want to help you out of this situation. I want to see where we can go and what we can become. So, yes, let's take this fake relationship for real now. Will you be my girlfriend, Leaf?"

He watched as a wide grin came over her face and she leaned over to him. "Yes, Gary. I would like that."

Gary closed the distance and gave her a chaste kiss.

"So what's the plan?" she asked.

"Right now, I just wanna hold you a little longer and take in this moment. Can we do that?" Gary requested.

Leaf nodded her head and laid back down, allowing Gary to pull her back against his chest and hold her.

Leaf could feel herself at ease. Not a worry in her mind as Gary held her. She knew he had meant every word he had said last night about helping her. And now they were officially dating and she felt happier than she had in a long time.

Around noon the two finally decided to leave the comfort of Gary's bed and get ready for the day. Leaf leaned against the kitchen counter, sipping coffee while Gary finished getting himself ready. When he walked into the kitchen, Leaf knew something important was about to be said.

"You asked what the plan was. I have some of it thought out."

She set her coffee mug on the counter and gave Gary her full attention.

"First, we need to tell a trusted adult. One that can help us and get you the proper defense. I thought maybe Gramps..."

Leaf nodded her head. "Yeah...that's a good option. I just...telling him is going to be hard. I don't want him to look at me like I'm..."

"Leafy, he would never look at you any differently or think lesser of you because of this. I promise you,"

Leaf swallowed. "Anything else?"

"We need to go to your house and get some of your things, since you'll be staying here. Or we can get you some new clothes and such."

"He rarely ever leaves the house, so that's going to be nearly impossible. And since I left in the middle of the night during one of the...sessions...he'll be out for blood when I get back..."

"Okay, it's settled. We'll go to the mall and get you some clothes and such. That'll be after we talk to Gramps. Sound good?"

Leaf nodded her head. Gary walked over to her and grabbed her hands.

"You've been through so much and we're going to help you. You aren't alone anymore and I promise I'll keep you safe." he said, kissing her forehead.

Leaf wrapped her arms around him in a hug.

"Thank you..."

The two ate a light lunch and then Gary went to get his grandpa, while Leaf mentally prepared herself to tell someone else her deepest, darkest secret. She ran her hand along the wooden kitchen table and waited.

"You can do this..." she muttered to herself.

Footsteps approached the kitchen and she looked up. She saw Professor Oak's eyes widen as he took in the bruises on her face. Gary walked over to the table and sat down, grabbing her hand and squeezing it reassuringly. Professor Oak approached the table and sat down.

"Thank you for stepping away from your research." Leaf said.

"Of course, my dear. Gary said you needed to talk to me. Is everything okay?"

Leaf gave a small smile. "It will be with yours and Gary's help."

Professor Oak nodded his head and waited for Leaf to continue. Gary had warned him ahead of time to let the silences happen, for this was going to be hard for Leaf to talk about.

"Well as you know, in ninth grade I moved with my mom, right after the new year. Well things were going well for a while and it was just the two of us. But then she began dating a man, a regular from the bar she worked at. A few months later and he was my step-father. This was the summer before sophomore year."

"Summer ended and the new school year began. My mom had to take on working nights and late shifts. Richard, my step-father would work during the day."

Leaf paused and took a breath. Gary grabbed her hand and she squeezed his hand, a little too tightly, but he didn't flinch. He knew what was coming and it was going to be hard to speak it aloud again.

"Then the night of Halloween...I went to a costume party and I didn't get back till late at night. I ran into Richard, who was drunk. Like really drunk and I was scared."

She swallowed and could feel the tears building in her eyes as she remembered the night.

"I tried to avoid him and just get to my room, but I couldn't. I-" she took a shuddering breath. "Nothing was every the same. It didn't s-stop."

She wiped at her face as she felt a few tears trailing down it.

"But my mom was so happy and I couldn't ruin her happiness. So I out on a facade. But then she was gone. She got hit by a car while crossing the street. So I was left with Richard who lost himself in alcohol and everything was worse."

"I changed who I was and tried to become stronger, but it never stopped."

A dark look came over Professor Oak's face. A look that Gary had never seen on his grandpa before and he knew it was anger. Professor Oak stood up and carefully approached Leaf.

"May I?" he asked.

Leaf looked at him and saw his arms opened for a hug. She nodded her head and when Professor Oak wrapped his arms around her, she broke again, just like she had last night.

"I am so sorry you've gone through all of this. I'm going to help you. I will do everything I can. He will not get away with this. You're safe."

"That's why we wanted to talk to you. To get an adult on our side and who has connections. She's going to need a great lawyer and she needs a place to stay..." Gary said.

"Of course. I'll get in touch with some of my friends. And you don't even have to ask, Gary. Leaf, you are welcomed to stay here."

"Thank you..."

"We were about to head to the mall so she could get some clothes and anything else since she can't go home." Gary said.

"Of course. I'll give you some money, Leaf."

"W-What? No, I'm okay." she said, startled.

"I insist,"

He reached into his pants pocket and removed his wallet. He then handed Leaf a good bit of money.

"I can't-"

"You're family, Leaf."

Her eyes watered at those words, but she nodded her head and said a soft "thank you."

Gary and Leaf walked through the mall. Gary was being kind and carrying the shopping bags that Leaf was obtaining. As they walked along, Leaf froze.

"Hey, you okay?" Gary asked.

"We have to hide!" she cried and grabbed his hand.

They ran into the nearest store and Gary noticed she was unnaturally pale.

"Leafy, who was it?"

"Richard..."

Please R&R