C.C. stared up at the ceiling. She shivered slightly under the comforter. She felt warm breath on her neck. She turned to see Niles, the man she had just made love to. She kissed his lips and rested her head on his shoulder, on arm across his stomach. He tucked his arm behind her head. She wondered why this was all happening. Why her father was threatening her again, why Maxwell would try to take the children from Fran, and why Gracie had suddenly had come in touch with real life. It was so strange to think that the scars on her arms from her cutting were only pieces of a shattered memory. She shifted in Niles grip, and stared at them. She wished, she just wished nothing had ever happened. Her father never abused her, her mother never died. That she never was C.C. Babcock. That she was just a simple, carefree person. The thought seemed so impossible to her at the time.

Everything's so blurry

And everyones so fake

And everybodys empty

And everything is so messed up

Warm tears made their way down her cheeks. She tried to wipe them away, only succeeding in waking up Niles. He propped himself up on his elbow and stared at her. "C.C., baby, whats the matter?"
"I just- I just- can't anymore. I cant keep worrying about you and fran, I really don't want you to get hurt! And these, oh god these!" she pointed to the cuts.
He wrapped his arms around her. "We'll be fine, C.C., just fine. I can do nothing about these, though. Except-
He stopped abruptly and took her arm. She was confused. "N- niles what are you d-doing?" she asked.
He looked up at her, and wiped away a tear from her cheek. "Making it all better."
He started to kiss her arm. C.C. was shocked, but it made her feel so much better. After he was done, she lay on his chest, silently crying tears of happiness and thanking him. He stroked her golden hair. "I love you. I would do anything for you, you don't need to thank me. Shhhh."
"I love you Niles." She whispered. They kissed.

Been occupied without you

I cannot live at all

My whole world surrounds you

I stumble and I crawl
The next day was the day before the trial. C.C. was nervous, and protective of everyone around her. She had to stay with Niles every second, keep the children under supervision, and convince Fran to come out of her room to be with them. The six ate meals in silence, worried for C.C. and for Fran. They all retreated back to their rooms, despite C.C.'s protest.
Later, C.C. sat in Frans hotel room, talking with her. She tapped her feet anxiously on the ground. "Do you think the children will be alright alone?" she asked for the hundredth time.
"They'll be fine, C.C., they'll be fine" said Fran, touching her arm.
"Oh I'm sorry Fran, you've been undergoing all this stress and I'll I've-
She was cut off from her apology by a knock on the door. Fran nodded to C.C. and she got up. Looking in the peephole she gasped. On the other side of the door was Maxwell.