Disclaimer : I don't own anything so there!

GRUMPYPIRATE : Yeah that bit was rather funny lol. Anyways thanks for the support and review. CHEERS MI DEARS!

SWEEN : Arr thank you, that is so sweet of you to say. I do have to agree, this is one of my better ones, I think mainly because it deals with a subject matter, that more and more women AND men go through. You think the Coach did it huh? I never thought really how Orion would feel, I might have to put more thought into that lol. Thanks lol. Anyways thanks for the support and review. CHEERS MI DEARS!

Chapter 8

There I had told them all, all the gory details. I had watched, as she noted anything significant down. Neither the doctor or the officer showed any emotion toward me, something of which I was thankful for. I think if they had given me pitiful glances I would have broken down more than I already have, and that was far too much as it was.

After being asked a few more questions, they showed me out, telling me they would contact me at some point. Adam and Charlie were sat in the waiting room, both looked physically tired. I then realized, they had waited this whole time. On seeing me, they both stood and headed to me. Charlie placed his arm around my shoulders, and without even wanting to, I flinched slightly. I don't know why I was, I knew neither of the men stood before me, would hurt me in anyway.

"You ok"? Charlie asked. "Sorry, dumb question". He said almost immediately.

"I feel a bit better". I answered.

They both led me outside, to where Adam's car awaited us. I climbed in the back seat, huddling up closer to Charlie, as he climbed in the other side. His arms wrapped protectively around me, and I suddenly felt that little bit more safe. In the following few seconds, I came to the decision, I had to try and get on with my life, get over this. I'm not sure how I was planning on doing this, but the only thing I could think of, was trying to act as normally as possible.

I gently reached over, and took Charlie's hand in my own. I gave it a squeeze, before looking up into his deep blue eyes. He looked straight back at me, his eyes melting as our eyes met. I felt more and more safe with him, as the minutes passed. He mouthed the words' I love you', to me, and I smiled gently.

Eventually, Adam pulled up outside the dorms. I climbed out after Charlie, not letting go of his hand. They both started to lead the way, back to the guy's dorm, until I gently tugged on Charlie's arm. He turned, a worried expression on his face. I smiled as encouragingly as I could. Adam too, had turned, his expression almost matching Charlie's.

"I, um, I wanna say thank you. For tonight I mean. I, um, um, couldn't have gone to the cops without you". I stuttered.

"You don't need to thank us". Charlie replied. "C'mon, it's chilly out here". He was about to turn back around.

"I think, I'm, um, gonna go back to my dorm. I'm kinda tired". I muttered.

"You want us to come with you"? Adam asked.

"No, it's ok. I think I just wanna be on my own for a bit".

"I'll walk you". Charlie changed directions.

Adam bid us farewell, and we headed toward my dorm. Charlie's hand never left mine, every so often, he ran his thumb over the back of my hand. I was still very aware of the happenings around me. I imagined my eyes to look like those of a deer in the headlights of an on coming car. When we got to my room, we let ourselves in. I allowed Charlie to go in first, I suppose so he could check that the coast was clear, so to speak.

"You sure you want me to leave you"? He asked, after we'd entered and closed the door behind ourselves.

"No, but I, I have to". I answered.

"No, no you don't Con. I'll stay with you, for as long as it takes. If you're not ready to be left alone, then I'm not gonna leave your side". He replied confidently.

"I just want everything to go back to normal". I fought the emotion that took over me.

"Oh baby". He pulled me into him tightly. "It will, but you have to give yourself time. I promise, you won't always feel like this". He whispered into my hair. "I love you so, so much".

"I love you too". I wept in return.

We stayed like that for a while, just keeping him close to me. I was scared that if he saw me in full view, he'd see the dirt all over me, and want nothing to do with me. I was scared that he'd change his mind and feelings toward me. I was scared of a lot of things, but I was mostly scared of not having him around. I needed him more than I wanted or dared to admit.

Eventually, I let go of him, excusing myself so I could have a shower. It was about 5am, and I was physically and mentally drained, but I felt too dirty, and just needed to get clean. I went into the adjoining bathroom, closing the door behind me. I turned the shower on, the stripped of the scrubs I had been given by the police. Once under the spray from the shower, I let my tears fall. I could see the bruises on my arms clearly, reminding me of everything all over again. Almost immediately, I began scrubbing at my body, especially my arms, which were covered in bruises. I scrubbed so hard, small spots of blood started showing, then it became more of a trickle. It was then I realized what I was doing, and dropped the sponge into the floor of the cubical. I left my arms under the water, allowing the bleeding to stop slowly.

I felt nowhere near clean, but after seeing what I had done to my arms, I realized it was something that would take time. I dried off, and put my clean pajama's on, before heading out to Charlie. He was fast asleep on my bed. I suppose it was then, I realized he'd been through just as much as me tonight. I tip toed over to the door, and made sure it was locked and secure, before turning the lights out, and creeping under the bed sheets next to him. I felt so much more safer, knowing he was there. He was like my safety blanket, or shield, allowing me to forget about my insecurities.

A few hours later, I woke with a start, sitting bolt right up in bed. At first, I thought everything was all one big dream. I wasn't that lucky. Everything just seemed that bit more real, that it did earlier. I glanced at the bedside clock. 10.17am. Charlie yawned beside me, his eyes fluttering open.

"Con"? His hand rested on my back gently. "What's wrong"? He sat up slightly, leaning on one elbow.

"Nothing. I, um I just thought I was dreaming". I brought my knee's up to my chest, resting my forehead there.

"Oh Baby". He sat up fully, pulling me into him.

Sat there in his arms, I got to thinking about us. Sure he was here now, he wasn't backing away from me. But as of last night, everything had changed between us. He didn't need to say anything, I knew. I could read him like a book, he wasn't here because he wanted to be, he was here because he felt he had to be. His duty if you like. I suppose had it been any other situation, I would have confronted him about it, told him I didn't want his pity company. But I needed him, needed him more than I ever needed anyone. He was the only sense of normality I had left.

"Listen Con. I have to go, it's nearly time for hockey practice. I'll find Julie, get her to come sit with you".

"It's ok. I don't need a babysitter". I pulled away slightly.

"I know you don't Con, but I'd feel happier if you had someone with you". He replied. "I'll see you later". He leant forward to kiss me slightly, but I instinctively pulled further away.

I could see the hurt enter his eyes, then it was replaced with understanding. He nodded gently, before climbing up, and letting himself out. After he closed the door behind himself, I scurried across the room, and locked it. I turned leaning against the door, and I suddenly felt ten times more vulnerable. In all honesty, I didn't want to be left alone, but I also wanted to get back to normal.

About 10 minutes later, there was a gentle knock at the door. Then Julie's voice telling me it was only her. I hesitantly unlocked the door, allowing her entrance. When she came in, she looked at me sympathetically. It was all that was needed to cause some tears from me.

"Come here". She opened her arms and wrapped them tightly around me. "Everything's going to be ok. You hear me, it's gonna be fine". She lead me to my bed and sat beside me. "You're gonna get through this, and I'm gonna be right there with you". She soothed gently.

"Jules I'm scared. What if I can't? I can't barely let Charlie touch me, without flinching away". I wept. "Everything's changed between us now. I'm not the same person I was to him".

"Course it hasn't. It's just a little weird at the moment, because he's sorta treading on egg shells around you, because he loves you, and doesn't want to hurt you anymore than you are already". She told me. "You both just need a little time to sort everything out in your own heads".

"It's not just him though Jules. Everyone's gonna look at me differently now. They're all gonna treat me different. Scared of saying anything in case it hurts 'poor little Connie's' feelings. I don't want to keep being reminded. I just want to forget, get on with my life. But I can't". I wept, allowing all my fears to pour out. Things I couldn't tell Charlie, because he wouldn't understand like Julie would.

"Connie, you have to give yourself time. You're not gonna forget over night. It will get better, and easier. Non of us think any less of you. We certainly don't think you're weak. Me, Charlie and the Ducks love you, and are gonna be here for you, all the way, just remember that". She hugged me, her hand running through my short brunette hair.

"Thank you". I mumbled.

So what do you think? I know it was a bit crappy at the side of my other chapters, but this was incredibly hard to write lol. Anyways PLEASE R&R!