Summary: After all the secrets Tara found out about Craig what will happen when she talks to him in person?

Tara left Sean and Ellie's house after a few hours of chatting and catching up. She pulled her coat around her to block the freezing cold wind of the night air that seemed to be blowing extra hard as she walked. She reached her driveway and the porch light was still on. Great she thought. Before she walked up her cell phone rang it was Craig.

"Hello?" She said standing at the end of her driveway still trying not the let the chattering of her teeth interfere with her talking.

"Tara. Hey it's Craig. Are you busy?"

"No. Why?" She asked glancing up at her house hoping no one would open the door.

"I was just wondering if..we could meet up I really would like to talk. "

She looked down at her watch 11:30. Not that bad, she thought she could get away with staying out a little longer. "Sure where at?"

"Well how far are you from the city park?"

"About 10 minutes."

"Ok. I'll meet you on the playground. Talk to you then. "

She quickly walked away from the house breathing a sigh of relief that no one came out. She reached the park and took a seat on the bench. She nervously looked around, no sign of Craig. She waited a little longer still no sign of him. She was about to leave when her jogged up.

"Sorry" he said with a smile." "It was a pain trying to get out of the house. I'm glad you are still here" He took a seat next to her on the bench.

"Yea. I was about to leave I didn't think you would show. So what's up?" she said looking at him, the thoughts of what Ellie and Sean said rushed into her head so she quickly looked away to block the thoughts.

"Well, I just have all these thoughts running through my head and..I can't talk to anyone about them not my friends or family I just thought you would understand and listen." He said as he intensely look at her with his rich brown eyes.

"Wow. Well thanks I appreciate that." She looked up and saw how intensely he was looking at her. She didn't know if it was the chilly night air or his eyes that sent a chill down her spine. She shivered.

"Are you cold? We should go underneath the slide area. At least it will block the wind" He got up and she followed. They made themselves comfortable underneath the mock rocket build up. Craig took off his jacket. "Here, wear this." He said as he gingerly wrapped it around her shoulders. She pulled his jacket around, the smell of leather and his cologne filled her nose.

"Thank you" she said as she gave him a smile.

Craig began talking about what happened with him, Ashley, and Manny. She could see the pain and torment in his eyes and face as he spoke about what happened. He paused for a moment as if to think about what he would say next. He then went on to talk about his father, the abuse, and his death. The tears filled up in his eyes and he told the details of his torment past with his father. It wasn't long until he broke down and cried. She gently took his hand and pulled him into her. He continued to cry as she held him. She ran her hand through his soft hair to comfort him. When his crying subsided he looked at her. They didn't have to say a word, his face, her touch, and his tears said it all. They held hands for the rest of the time. Tara broke the silence. "Craig?"

"Yea?" he said as he put an arm around her.

"Can I share something with you?" she asked softly look up at him

"Of course anything. That's what we are here for to escape and let go" he said as he pulled her in closer.

"Well. I moved to Canada around the spring time. At the time I was going through a lot. My mom cheated on my father with an executive named Jack that lived here. Soon after hearing about my mother cheating my father killed himself. I ..I was so mad Craig, I still am. Not because I lost my father, but because I never got to tell him how I truly felt for what he did to me. My dad was an alcoholic. He used to beat me and my brother everyday. My mother tried to ignore this. She sounded out our pleads for help. I felt so helpless.." she began to cry but gained composure.

"So after he died, my mother married Jack. That is when my mother began to show concern only after the fact we were away from my dad who was never to return again. She put me in this summer camp for troubled teens, that is when I met Ellie. She helped me out so much through out the summer. She is the one who got me started in that group therapy. A few months ago I was at that party you were at. That is when I met Jay. And boy do I regret it. I got so drunk that night and Jay..well Jay was there. He took me into another room..He told me I was so pretty and beautiful. He made me feel wanted.."she started to cry again and shaking her head. Craig held her closer.

"Did he hurt you Tara?" he asked looking deep into her eyes.

She shook her head. "Sean walked in and pulled him off of me. But Jay told his friends about me. He made up these nasty rumors about me. Which hurt even more than the physical." She buried her face into his chest. He gently caressed her.

"Did you tell any one else about this?" he asked.

"No, I made Sean promise never to tell Ellie what he saw. And everyone just thought Jay was being an ass because he didn't like me. So promise me you will never say anything about this to anyone ok?" she pleaded

"I promise, I won't" he gave her a reassuring hug.

"I better get going though, I'm going to be in so much trouble" she said as she crawled out from the slide. He followed.

He walked her to her house. "Thank you for listening. And thank you for sharing" He said as they stood at the end of the driveway.

"Your welcome, and thank you as well" she said locking eyes with him. At that moment her mother came flying out of the door.

"Tara! What the hell are you doing and who is that?". She screamed as she walked down the driveway.

"Mom, stop making a scene. This is Craig from therapy. I was just…"

Her mother cut her off. "You were just nothing. Get in the house!"

Tara looked at Craig and gave an apologetic look and ran up to the house.

Her mother continued down the driveway. "Who the HELL do you think you are running off with my daughter at all hours of the night?" she said curtly.

"M.mm.am.. I'm sorry..I didn't mean any trouble." Craig stammered.

"Of course you didn't mean any trouble." She replied sarcastically "A hoodlum like yourself would never want to cause any trouble. It will be in your best interest if you never showed yourself around here."

"But I.." he started to replied but she cut him off.. "No, buts. Now leave my property." Craig backed away and began walking he looked back to see her mom still standing there with her arms folded scowling at him.

Tara was about to lock her door in her room when her mother and step dad barged in.

"Tara you better explain yourself right now" her mother yelled. "How could you just go off like that do you realize what time it is? It's 3:00 in the morning" he step father added.

"Why bother explaining myself. And I certainly do NOT have to explain myself to you Jack." She said raising her voice.

"Do NOT take that tone with him Tara Louise." Her mother struck back. Tara knew her mother was infuriated since she used both her first and middle name. Tara just sighed and whispered "Whatever".

"Where did you get that jacket?" her mother asked.

"Craig. I was cold and he.."

"You will give it back immediately and never speak to him again after. Her mother cut in.

"But Mom, I can't do that." Tara said holding back frustrated tears.

"You can and you will." Her mother said leaving the room and slamming the door.

Tara through herself on her bed and wrapped herself in Craig's jacket. She began sobbing until she drifted off to sleep.