Woo-hoo! I'm halfway done already! Lol…

Thanks to all the reviewers. You guys are the best! (Except for Tony, of course)

StraweberryBlondeHazelGirl It would be great if my fic could help someone in any way like that. That's so encouraging, I never really thought of that. Thanks!

Megan I would LOVE to let you kill Perry…really, I would. Except, I sorta need him for a little while. I tell you what, when I'm done with him, you can do whatever you want to him. As long as I can help. ;)

Anyone read about the midshipman at the Naval Academy? I always jump when the real NCIS has a case… :D

And how about last Tuesday's episode? I'm so glad the wet t-shirt picture came back. I almost died laughing at the end….poor Gibbs…hehe!

Oh, and as far as the class on sexual assault, I don't know about that. I've been homeschooled all my life, would they even do something like that in public school?

Chapter Five

Days swept by. They turned into years. The Sanders family was changing. Doug was twenty, and holding high aspirations to be an attorney. In college many miles away, his face was a rare but welcomed one at the home. Greg was graduating in a few weeks, and he had already been accepted to UC Berkley. Nick was also gradutating at the same time, and he was secretly hoping to join the Marine Corps. Kate and Brett, now somewhat use to Doug being away, were finding it hard to believe that only the two of them would be left soon. Brett, still looking up as always to Nick, was determined to be accepted into the Naval Academy at Annapolis. (Sorry, I had to do it!)

Kate was not sure what to do with her life. Now, with her brothers almost gone, and Nick to leave as well, her situation at home was hurting her. Depressing her. Although the boys did not know what was going on, they were silent support. It would just be she and mother. Nothing was right, and why further her life? Nothing good could happen now. But of course, staying at home alone, not going to college, she couldn't but her father at such an advantage. Maybe, she could do what Doug did and study law. It was a good career.

……………………………………………………………………………….

Kate sighed. Sometimes, high school could be a bore. Especially with issues like this. The whole school was gathered in the auditorium for a special speaker—on sexual assault. Why they did this, Kate didn't know. Hopefully she'd make it through.

Kate slung her backpack over her shoulder, and slipped into a seat in between Nick and Brett. Nick nudged her in the ribs. "They make us do these things why?"

Kate rolled her eyes. "Because they think we might actually listen to them." She shifted in her seat. It was starting to feel uncomfortable in here.

It was hard not to listen, but Kate was determined not to pay attention. Until one line caught her attention.

"You can't hide forever. When someone you love hurts you, well, it hurts. But you have to let someone know. Someone has to find out, or it will eat you. And it might happen to others. Could you face yourself if you knew you prevented a sex offender from being apprehended?"

Tears stung her eyes. Her thoughts flew to that first night, when Dad had first come home drunk. She froze. No! Not these thoughts, don't remember it, don't pay attention, focus on something else. Kate turned her head to meet Nick's gaze. He was looking at her strangely. With a distinct rustle, she stood up to exit the room. Whispering without looking back, "I don't feel to well. Give me a second."

……………………………………………………………………………………………

Kate walked quickly out of the school. It was empty outside, all the students still indoors. She let the tears roll down her face, and they swiftly grew to rasping sobs. Tell someone? Who could she trust? Mother couldn't find out. The boys wouldn't understand. Nick, he was a great friend, but—

"Katie!" Nick ran over to her. "Hey, you don't look so well. Whats up?"

She turned her gaze towards him. Seeing the concerned look on his face, full of love and worry, she broke down. Sitting on the bench that lay conveniently by, she buried her hands in her face and sobbed. Nick dropped down beside her. "Kate! Tell me, hun, you know you can trust me." He put an arm around her shoulders and pulled her to him. She leaned into him, feeling his warmth as a great comfort. Soon her tears stopped, and her raspy voice began. "Nick, I don't know if I can tell you."

"Kate, if you just need a shoulder to cry on, I'll understand. But I will listen to you, I want to help you."

She brought her head up a little to meet his eyes. Seeing the loyalty in them, she put her head back down, but Nick caught her face in his hands. She looked away. "Nick, I….this class….its…hitting a little close to home, you might say."

Nick froze, and Kate could feel the immediate anger flowing through his body. "And you told no one this? How long has this been going on? Who is it?"

"Since I was eleven. Its…Nick, its my dad."

Nick stiffened even more, if that was possible. Kate saw his jaw tightened, and knew he was controlling the furious rage that he was battling with against Perry.

"We have to do something about this!"

"No, no, I can't have that happen. Nick, so help me, if you tell anyone I will kill you myself." Nick's hand stroked her hair. "But Katie, I won't have you live like this."

She shrugged. "Nick, I'll be gone in a year, and after five, it doesn't matter so much to me."

"It matters to me, Katie. I love you, you know. I don't want to see you hurt."

"You can't do anything about it."

"I could marry you."

Kate froze. Now that was unexpected. Yeah, they had been planning a future together since they were kids. But at sixteen! The more she thought about it, though, the more it made sense. She'd be away from Perry, she could continue school, she could live a happy life, put her past behind her, and be with Nick. Always. Even the law would be on her side now.

"Just a few more weeks, I'll graduate, we could run away…oh, I don't know! Anything! Please, Katie. Don't let him hurt you any more."

Kate lifted he head to him. "I'm not sure if we should, but….." She threw her arms around him and let the tears flow again.

Aww….I'm falling in love……with Nick. The bauty of writing fics, you actually can create a perfect man. :D