"Karen, come on, please!" Jeff pleaded as Karen backed him into a corner in his kitchen. She held up a butcher knife as she walked towards him. "Come on, I won't go see Shannon without your permission again. I promise!"

"But Jeffy, you were supposed to take me to the mall today," she said sweetly.

"I know. And I will. I just wanted to see my best friend," his voice trembling in fear as he spoke.

"I told you not to go anyplace without my permission," she yelled through clenched teeth.

"Hey Jeff!" I yelled happily as I got off the bike. I placed my helmet on the seat and began walking up the steps. The feeling had gotten stronger as I got closer to the door. I listened closely and could hear Karen screaming at Jeff.

"KAREN!! NO!!! Please!!!" Jeff screamed. Karen got closer to him and brought the knife down towards his arm. I tried to open the door but found it locked.

"Jeff!! Hold on!!! I'm coming!!!" I screamed as I frantically unlocked the door with the spare key he had given me. I didn't bother to wipe my feet or take anything off as I ran through the house.

"Jeff, you should have just listened!" Karen laughed as I ran into the kitchen.

"JEFF!!" I screamed as Karen turned around to face me. Her face was red with anger as she held the knife up high. I glanced over at Jeff and saw him holding his arm. There was a light trickle of blood falling down his arm where she had obviously cut him.

"Casey!! I'm so happy to see you!" Karen said joyously. She put the knife on the counter and walked towards me.

"Get the fuck away from me!" I said angrily as I balled my hands into tight fists.

"Ya know, we really should hang out this week while ya'll are home!" she said getting closer with each word.

"Karen, I swear, if I EVER catch you hurting Jeff again, I'll kill you!" I yelled furiously.

"Hurt him?!" she laughed. "I would never hurt him! I love my Jeffy!"

"Case, please just go. I can handle this," Jeff said softly. Just then, Karen turned on him and brought the knife back into her hand.

"Who the hell told you to speak!?" she screamed as Jeff backed into the corner once again. I ran up behind Karen and whipped her around. I stared at her as she looked back at me, eyes full of anger.

"Leave Karen!" I yelled.

"Who's gonna make me? Obviously not that pathetic pile of human that I call boyfriend. And you wouldn't dare try to make me," she said bringing the knife up between our faces.

"Ya wanna bet?" I said calmly. She gave me a sly smile before pulling the knife back. She flung it towards me, but I caught her arm in my hand and pushed her down to the floor. I stood over her and nodded as she scrambled to get the knife. I kicked the knife out of the way and allowed her to stand. "GET OUT!"

"NO!" she screamed as she ran at me, arms flailing. Before thinking, I got in position for DDT. She hit the floor hard, not knowing how to block or protect herself from a move like that. I straddled her as she laid on the floor grabbing at her head. I grabbed her shirt and pulled her up so she was looking at me.

"GET OUT! AND DON'T YOU DARE COME BACK!" I screamed as I threw her down to the floor. I stood and walked over to Jeff, who was huddling in the corner, scared for his life.

"No, I won't leave. Only Jeff can tell me to leave and he wouldn't ever because he loves me," she said confidently. I looked at Jeff with pleading eyes and he nodded.

"Karen, leave. Leave now!" he said bravely. I smiled as her jaw dropped to the floor in surprise. She made a growling noise before walking out of the kitchen. She slammed the door shut and we heard her tires squealing down the driveway.

"Are you okay?" I asked softly as I looked into his green eyes, that started returning to their normal state.

"Yeah, thanks to you. I'm sorry that I didn't listen when you told me that she was abusing me. I'm glad you came when you did. I was so scared. I actually thought she might kill me," he said softly.

"I know, me too! I'm just glad I could stop her. Come on, lets go to Dad's and get that arm cleaned up and stuff," I said with a smile as he took my hand in his. I put my bike in his garage and we jumped in his vette.

"So, how does it look?" he asked as we stood in the kitchen. I began washing it out water and watched him wince with each wipe.

"It's not deep. Just a scratch. No stitches," I said smiling at him. I grabbed a gauze pad and taped it to his arm with some antibacterial ointment.

"Thanks nurse Casey," he joked as he smiled at me.

"Well, it's good to see you back to normal," I said as I cleaned up. He leaned against the counter and watched.

"Yeah, I'm getting there. It's gonna take me awhile. What I need is a good friend that'll stand by me and help me through it," he said.

"You've got one right here. I'll always be there to help you through anything!" I said as I wrapped my arms around his neck. He put his arms slowly around my waist and hugged me tightly. "I really missed you."

"I missed me too!" he laughed. "So, why were at my house anyways?"

"I wanted to see if you wanted to do something with me tonite. Ya know, hang out," I said as we sat in the living room.

"Oh? Why? Where is everyone?" he asked.

"Dad's out with some friends, Amy and Matt are out with her parents, and Shane's out with his brother," I replied.

"So, they'll be gone the whole nite?" he asked.

"As far as I know they will be," I said as he stood.

"GREAT!! What's Dad got to drink in this place?" he asked opening the fridge.

"Soda? Juice? Ya know, the normal stuff," I answered turning the tv on.

"No, I mean alcohol. I need something after that whole ordeal," he said with a laugh.

"There should be some Sea Dog in there," I said as he walked back in the living room with two beers in his hand. He tossed me one and laid down on the floor.

"Remember New Year's eve?" he asked.

"Most of it!" I laughed.

"Well, that's my goal for tonite. Getting as drunk as possible!" he laughed.

"I don't think that the two of us should be getting drunk after that body shots episode!" I joked.

"Hey, the lemon fell!" he said defending himself.

"Yeah right! What a great time for it to fall!" I laughed as I hit his shoulder with a throw pillow.

"Ow!" he exclaimed.

"Oh, I'm sorry!" I apologized.

"That's okay, no biggy," he smiled.

"Ya know, everyone's gonna be happy to hear that you dropped Karen," I said.

"I know."

"We've all been seriously worried about this whole relationship."

"I know."

"I'm just glad it's all over with."

"Casey, I know," he said putting his hand on my knee and squeezing it softly.

"Can we get back to normal soon?" I asked.

"Yeah, I'm hoping."

"I just have to know, how did you not see what was happening to you?"

"I don't know. I guess I was just too happy that I had someone in my life that supposedly loved me," he replied. "And I was scared to have you touch me Monday nite. I really was. Scared to death. I knew deep down that you wouldn't hurt me, but I just couldn't stop seeing you as Karen. You two were so much alike, except for the beating thing, and it just scared me that you would hit me for whatever reason."

"I KNEW IT!!" I joked. He rolled his eyes at me and laughed.

"Yes, you were right once again!" he said.

"I knew it. Cause I'm always right!" I said laughing.

"Yeah you are! And you like to point it out too!"

"That's right! Bow down to the queen!"

"Who said you were queen?"

"What did you say?" I asked pretending to be hurt by his comment.

"I love you babe," he said with a smile.

"I love you too," I said kissing his cheek softly. I stared into his green eyes and sighed as I took a sip of my drink.

"Ya know, you left a mess in my house from your boots!" he said.

"Oh well, excuse me. The next time you need your life saved by me I'll remember to shower and whatever before I help you out!" I said sarcastically.

"Alright, you do that!" he laughed. "Do you mind if I stay here tonite?"

"No, not at all. It'll be good to have the company," I smiled as he stood. "Where are you goin?"

"To get more alcohol! I'm gonna make sure that neither of us remembers this nite!" he said as I laughed.

Later that nite, after we had pretty much drank the whole house, we fell asleep on the floor in each other's arms. We never heard Dad come into the house. We never felt him throw a blanket over us. And we never heard him say how we belonged together, but that was probably for the best since we would have argued with him anyways.

"Are you two going to get up today?" Amy asked as she sat on the couch. I looked up at her and cringed at the sunlight shinning through the windows.

"Not planning on it," Jeff answered as he snuggled up closer to me.

"You two must have some hang over," Amy said, as she looked around at all the empty bottles on floor.

"You could say that," I said as I covered my head. I heard her laugh lightly as she walked out of the living room.

"Ya know, we should probably just face the world," Jeff said poking my side. I made a groaning noise as I threw the blanket off us.

"Alright, I guess I could try to get up," I said softly as we stood slowly.

"Son, what happened to your arm?" Dad asked.

"Long story Dad," he answered as he smiled at me.

"Casey, what's he talking about?" Dad asked as Jeff walked into the bathroom.

"Karen," I said quietly.

"Oh no. Is he okay?" he asked pulling me into the kitchen.

"No, but he will be. He threw her out last nite. It was horrible Dad. She would have killed him if I hadn't shown up when I did," I said as my eyes began to water.

"What do you mean?" Matt asked walking in.

"She went after him with a butcher knife."

"WHAT?!" Matt yelled.

"Chill Matt. It's okay, I'm fine," Jeff said walking up to us.

"Jeff, what the hell happened?" Matt asked.

"I went to see Shannon yesterday without asking her. And she got pissed cause I also promised to take her to the mall. Well, she picked up the knife and came after me with it. But Case burst into the kitchen just as Karen sliced my arm and kicked her ass!" Jeff explained.

"I just pushed her to the floor and did a DDT. Nothing heroic or anything," I said modestly.

"Case, you saved my brother's life! That was heroic!" Matt said hugging me tightly.

"I did what I had to do. You would have done the same thing," I said as he let me go.

"Yeah, but still. You saved his life," Amy said joining us.

"So, she's gone for good, right?" Dad asked.

"Yeah, she's gone," Jeff smiled.

"My brother can smile!" Matt said bringing him into a playful headlock.

"Come on Matt! My head hurts!" Jeff pleaded through laughs.

"Well, I'm gonna go take a shower," I said as I began walking up the stairs.

"Yeah, me too," Jeff said. I gave him a strange look and he began to laugh. "In my own house, SICKO!"

"Whateva!" I said as he laughed harder.

"I love that!" he said as he began walking out the door. "I'll see ya later?"

"Totally, for sure!" I said as I continued to my room and the bathroom.

After my shower, which turned into an hour-long bubble bath, I pulled on a pair of ratty jeans and my Yankees t-shirt. I put my hair into a messy ponytail and put a bandana on. When I went into the living room Shane was sitting on the couch talking to Jeff, Matt, Amy, and Shannon.

"Took ya long enough!" Matt complained.

"Well, she did stink the house up!" Jeff joked.

"Ass!" I said sitting on Shane's lap. I kissed him lightly and smiled.

"Well, she sure as hell smells good now!" Shane laughed.

"Ya'll are like ganging up on me or some thing!" I said.

"Oh you know I love you!" Shannon said picking me up off Shane's lap.

"I know YOU love me, but I'm not so sure about those two!" I said pointing to Jeff and Shane as Shannon sat me on his lap.

"WHO?! US?!" they said in unison.

"No, the man down the street!" I teased.

"Oh, she's talking bout you Jeff," Shane laughed.

"Oh be quiet!" I laughed. "If ya'll are gonna be mean to me, I'll just stay right here on Shan's lap!"

"Like he'd want your stinky ass on there!" Jeff joked.

"Jeffrey, just remember who you have to get into a ring with," I said devilishly.

"Yeah, as your tag partner," he replied.

"Yes, but that doesn't mean I can't beat you up just a bit!" I laughed.

"You wouldn't," he said.

"Try me!"

"Alright, I sorry!" he said in a babyish tone.

"You better be!" I said with a laugh.

"Then come on over here!" Jeff said pointing to his lap.

"NO! Can't have her!" Shannon said wrapping his arms around me tightly.

"Sorry, Shan has spoken," I said putting me arm around his shoulders. I placed a kiss on his cheek and smiled.

"Why can I never keep my girl? She always goes for the hot guys!" Shane said with a pout.

"Then why is she dating you?" Matt joked.

"Oh man! Those are fightin words. Get your ass off that floor and don't even try to hide behind your girlfriend!" Shane said standing. Matt stood slowly and got right in Shane's face.

"Why would I hide behind Amy?" he asked.

"Cause she's a very scary wo-man!" Jeff responded with a laugh as Amy slapped his leg.

"Come on man. You, me, right here, right now!" Shane ordered.

"Let's go Matt! Let's go Matt!" I chanted. "We want Mattitude! We want Mattitude!"

"Hey!! Who's side are you on now?!" Shane said as Matt brought him into a headlock.

"Matt's," I said quickly as a smile crept across my face.

"Alright, I give. I'm obviously not man enough for Casey," Shane said sniffling.

"That's right! You're not man enough!" Matt teased, slapping him on the back.

"I'll just gonna go to my lonely house with my two cats and weep while watching Dirty Dancing!" Shane said throwing his hand up to his forehead and walking towards the door. I jumped out of Shannon's arms and ran to him, wrapping my arms around his waist.

"I love you Sugar!" I said kissing the back of his neck softly.

"I don't believe you," Shane said throwing his head up in a snobbish way.

"I love you Sugar," I said as I nibbled on his ear lobe.

"Nope, not convinced," Shane said as his voice began to raise.

"I love you Sugar," I said as I sucked on his neck softly.

"Aight, I'm convinced. Your room?" Shane said as turned and began dragging me up the stairs.

"Sorry, not in the mood," I teased.

"I can't believe you just did that to me!" Shane squeaked.

"Dude, did you just squeak?!" Jeff asked as he, Matt, Shan, and Amy laughed.

"Oh yeah, he squeaked!" I laughed as I sat down next to Jeff on the couch.

"If she was doing to you what she was just doin to me, you'd squeak too!" Shane said defensively.

"So, where's Dad at?" I asked.

"He's with my parents having lunch," Shannon said.

"Where's Crystal?" Amy asked.

"She's out with her sister shopping. Apparently, she doesn't do that enough," Shannon said with a laugh.

"Girls can never get enough shopping," Matt said.

"Oh like you're any better Mr. Where's the nearest mall!" Amy teased.

"She's got you there, bro," Jeff said patting Matt on the shoulder.

"Oh don't even! You're just as bad!" I pointed out. "Hell, all ya'll are like that!"

"We are not!" Shannon said.

"Oh yes you are hon!" Crystal said walking into the living room. "Hey all!"

"Hey Crystal!" I said as I stood to give her a hug.

"How ya doin Jeff?" she asked before kissing his cheek softly.

"I'm doing okay. Things will only get better with time," he replied with a smile.

"True," Crystal said before joining her husband on a chair.

"How was shopping baby?" Shannon asked.

"Great! I got some stuff for the new room," she said.

"New room?" I questioned.

"Yeah, we've added a new guest room," Crystal responded. "Matt, how's the house coming?"

"SHHHHH!" Matt exclaimed.

"House?" I asked.

"Oh, you haven't told her yet?" Crystal asked.

"No, I haven't, but I guess I have to now," Matt said with a sigh.

"Yeah, ya do!" I exclaimed with anger in my voice.

"I'm building a house Case. I just started on it. I have to move out eventually. I'm 28 years old! It doesn't look too good for me to still be living with my dad in my childhood bedroom!" Matt said.

"I guess I can see that," I said sadly.

"Hey now, don't get all upset!" Matt said kneeling in front of me.

"But you're gonna be leaving me," I said.

"Yeah, but not for at least a year," he said.

"Amy, are you moving in with him?" I asked looking at her.

"Yeah sweetie, I am. It only seems right. I mean, I am gonna be his wife!" Amy said.

"Yeah, I suppose," I said looking down at my hands that were resting in my lap.

"Kiddo, listen, I have a something that I wanna tell you about this house," Matt said raising my chin so I was locking eyes with him.

"Oh?" I said quietly.

"Yeah, I have a special room being built. And, well, it's for you. You're gonna have your own room in my house so you can come over whenever you want!" he said happily. A small smile began to grow as I wrapped my arms around him.

"Really? You'd do that for me?" I asked.

"Of course! You are my sister! Plus it's in the plans and everything!"

"Thank you!" I said as we parted. "So, where is this little love shack gonna be?"

"LITTLE?!" Jeff exclaimed.

"Yeah, it's far from little!" Shane laughed.

"Anyways!" I said with a laugh.

"It's just down the road a bit. The three of us all in like a little triangle type deal," Matt said.

"Really? Great! So I can bounce from house to house!" I said happily.

"Hey, who said you could come to my house?" Jeff joked.

"For someone who just had his life saved he isn't being too nice to the heroine!" I said as I crossed my arms.

"Ya know I love ya!" Jeff said kissing my cheek.

"Really? I couldn't tell," I said with a pout.

"And you love me too. Come on, just admit it!"

"Aight, I love you. You are one hot babe!" I said sarcastically. "Seriously though, I do love ya man!"

"Thought so!" Jeff said with a laugh.