Title: World of Sin
Type: 7th Heaven Fan Fiction
Rating: PG-13 (Sexual Content, Drugs)
Disclaimer: I don't own the characters of 7th Heaven. I do own all my original characters and this story, though. Don't take.
Summary: Ruthie Camden rebels against morality and everything her family stands for when she meets a guy willing to introduce her to his world.

Writer's Note: I wrote this a couple years ago, or part of it, but greatly improved it. It's one of my better stories.

Chapter Ten

Mom pulled away from me and I noticed the tears in her eyes. She was happy to see me, but I wasn't sure how I felt.

"Where have you been?" She asked me, forcefully, "We were worried sick! We called the police, all your friends, and nobody had heard from you! We were afraid you had been kidnapped!" I shook my head, unsure of how to tell her. Dad appeared in the door, along with Lucy. I gulped.

"Ruthie!" Lucy exclaimed, running towards me. She threw her arms around me, then pulled away to stare at me.

"I ran away," I began. Everyone sat down. "I met a guy at the store. His name was Ashton. He flirted with me and asked me to come with him to work at a club in L.A. I decided to go. I don't know why."

"A club in L.A.?" Dad asked, "What kind of club?" I knew it was coming.

"The C Club," I answered, "An adult club. I was a dancer." Everyone's eyes widened.

"You did what?" Mom asked, yelling, "You were a stripper? You're sixteen!"

"I know! I'm sorry!" I exclaimed, tears flowing, "They told me I didn't have to take off my clothes. I auditioned for the manager and he made me do stuff. I had to give a lap dance to a guy and strip for him. I did some stupid stuff. I'm really, really sorry!" I fell to the ground and held my head. I couldn't even face my family. I felt Dad's hand on my shoulder.

"Ruthie?" He whispered, "I don't know why you left and I don't agree with the things you've done. You should be ashamed of yourself, but we'll always love you. You can always talk to us." I had figured that he'd say something like that, but I wasn't sure what. I knew they loved me, but showing my face in front of them was one thing I never wanted to do again.

"Dad, I'm sorry. I'm a teenager," I explained, tears flowing freely, "I know that shouldn't be my excuse, but I don't have a better one. I reacted on my impulses and that was wrong. I know I shouldn't have. I know I've failed you and I understand if you want to ground me for a year - or make it two. I don't know, but I was wrong."

"You were wrong," Mom agreed, "But everyone is at some point. This isn't going to be easy for us to accept, Ruthie, but I think we've done pretty good at dealing with stuff that's been thrown at us in the past. We can work through this together." My eyes brightened.

"You really think so?" I asked, a little afraid.

"Of course, Ruthie. Like I said, it won't be easy, but life never is," Dad explained. I smiled and threw my arms around them once more. He was right, it wasn't going to be easy and I couldn't do it alone, but maybe, just maybe, I could win back the trust of my family and of myself. Someday.

The End