This is just a quick note to let you know that Erin's scene is a bit more dark than usual. There is physical violence/abuse in it and if it offends anyone I'm sorry. Like I said before, if anyone feels that the PG-13 rating on this is too low, let me know and I will raise it.

July sat, and sat, and sat some more, thinking about what to do. She wanted to find her family but at the same time she didn't. Of course she wanted to meet them simply because they were her family; but they also had abandoned her and left her on her own. But she really couldn't hold her cousins accountable since they couldn't have done anything, having been too young themselves.

Vince's feather light touch startled her and he laughed softly as she sat down on the couch next to her and wrapped an arm around her.

"So, what are you thinking about that has got you so far away in thought that you didn't even notice me come into the room?" he asked with a slight pout. She gave him a leisurely kiss before resting her head against his shoulder.

"About things," she answered simply. She spent a few minutes explaining what she had found out and what Miriam had told her. She hadn't told him yet because she wanted to figure out her own feelings first but now that she had told Vince, she felt better.

"So that's what's got you all distracted. I knew something was up," he said as he ran a hand through her hair.

"Really?"

"Yeah, you've been acting kind of off. You're actually quiet for once," he said and July smacked him playfully.

"So," she took a deep breath, "What do you think I should do?"

"They're your family. I'd at least meet your cousins. They had nothing to do with what happened to you. I'd be more cautious about meeting anyone else though."

"That's exactly what I was thinking," she said smiling at him.

"What can I say? I know you and we're two of a kind," he replied. They sat in comfortable silence for a while, each content on just being together.

"V?" July murmured a bit later. "Do you think we'll ever have a family?" She felt his hand still in her hair for a moment before continuing.

"Some day, I hope. When we're married and older," he said finally.

"Older? But you're already old right now," she teased and Vince pushed her over, pinning her down on the couch.

"I'll show you old," he said with a wink.

"Promise?"

"Promise."

"Forever?" she asked, timidly, the teasing now gone. Vince stared into her eyes and could see her fear of being abandoned again and felt his heart tug at the though of ever leaving her.

"Forever," he replied, kissing her.

Erin was more than aware of the severity of the situation. The hairs on the back of her neck stood on end, signaling the known danger. She felt her body give the smallest of tremors and steeled herself. She needed to stand strong.

"Now my dearest daughter," Art said in a sickly sweet voice as he walked towards her. "You wouldn't have any clue as to who burned the house down do you?" he asked as his hand reached out and played with her hair.

"I have no clue," she answered back in a calm voice even though she could feel her heart beating rapidly in her chest.

"Wrong answer," he said and tugged her hair, snapping her head to the left. "Now I want you to tell me the truth. Who burned down the house?" he asked staring her straight in the eyes. Erin debated on what to say but knew that he wouldn't give up till he got the truth.

"I did," she said quietly.

"Would you like to say that a bit louder?"

"I did," she repeated her gaze unflinching. She only had a moment to brace herself before he began hitting her, making his fury know.

"You piece of shit. I raised you, I gave you a roof over your head, clothes on your back, food in your stomach and this is the way you repay me by burning down my house? You selfish little brat," he finished his tirade with a slap to her face, the crack resonating in the otherwise silent room.

Erin could taste the metallic copper of blood in her mouth and stared up at him with pure hatred. She did the most disrespectful thing she could think of at the moment and spit the mouthful of blood on him. In an instant she knew it was probably the stupidest thing to do that and the pain that found its way on her body under his abuse proved that. She fell back against the wall and slumped to the floor, her body and spirit broken for the moment. Her dad stood over her, a mix of disgust and shame filling his eyes at the same time. Who knew what was going through his head.

"Get yourself clean up," he commanded, his voice leaving no room for argument. Erin shakily made it to her feet and trotted up the stairs as fast as she could. She entered her room for the moment and locked the door behind her, her body threatening to collapse. She quickly entered the attached bathroom, stripped and got into the shower, turning it on as hot as she could stand.

She stood beneath the spray, letting it wash away the blood from her face and sooth the aches and bruises she knew were already forming. Her legs felt like they couldn't support her anymore and she leaned against the wall, sliding to the floor. Her tears soon intermingled with the water and the shower muffled her sobs. Rocking back and forth, she cried; she cried until there was nothing left, until her lungs were raw from her sobs and her eyes were bloodshot. She cried over what was happening; she cried over all the losses in her life. She saw her heart shrinking before her eyes and felt herself become a little colder, a little blacker, inside.

Finally, something within her snapped. Why was she allowing him to make her feel inferior? Why did she allow him to get away with this and make her feel as if she were the one that was wrong? The indignation over the situation finally met it breaking point and her anger burned hot. She stood up with determination, shutting off the water and getting out. Toweling off herself, she quickly got dressed and thundered down the stairs.

She moved into the living room with purpose, determined not to cower or back down. Her righteousness making her stand tall. Her dad was unperturbed, offering only a raised eyebrow.

"It's over," she stated.

"Excuse me."

"It's over. You will never lay a hand on me again. As of right now, it's over. I am done taking your crap and I am done being your punching bag. You are not my father. I can't see what my mother ever saw in you and," she never got to finish her sentence before her father was up, grabbing her by the throat and slamming her into the wall.

"What your mother and I had is none of your business. I loved her and that is all that mattered. You will not talk to me like that again and disrespect me. Do you hear me?" he growled out, getting into her face. Instead of answering, Erin went on instinct and head butted him. Arthur groaned in pain, as did Erin. Man, that looked so much easier in the movies, she thought but she had managed to dislodge him and ran a hand down her throat.

"That's it. I'm done being nice," he said looking up at her.

"Nice? Is this what you call nice? Because I find it abusive and sadistic," she retorted. Arthur charged at her and Erin ducked out of the way, determined to come out on top. She managed to duck his first punch and respond with one of her own, hitting him in the face.

She replayed any fighting movies in her head and listened to her instincts as she continued to fight. When he managed to land a good punch and she felt a bit wobbly, she did the last resort move and kneed him in the groin. Art bellowed, falling to his knees as tears gathered in his eyes. Remembering a combination from a movie, she kicked him in the stomach and as he bent forward, she grabbed his head and brought her knee up at the same time. His nose made an audible crunch and he flopped onto his back, the blood free flowing.

Erin took deep breaths, trying to calm herself down. She knew she should feel bad for what she had just done, but she couldn't. This man, no oppressor, had abused her physically and mentally for months and he got what he deserved. Erin leaned against the wall and wiped her own blood from her lips, tears gathering in her eyes as she stared down at her father. This man was supposed to be her hero, her friend, her dad, and he had been anything but. She held a shaking hand against her mouth as the front door opened.

"Hello? We're home," her grandpa called out as they entered. Erin heard their collective gasps of shock as they entered the living room.

"Oh my god, what happened?" Tom asked as Rose went over to Arthur, trying to rouse him. Erin couldn't find the words to explain what happened and her grandpa looked at her bewildered as she stared helplessly at him. A groan from across the room attracted their attention and they both looked over to see Arthur beginning to sit up.

"What happened?" Rose questioned. Erin quickly tried to form the words but her dad beat her to it.

"She hit me. I went to talk to her and she hit me. I naturally tried to defend myself without hurting her and she just attacked me," he wheezed out, one hand trying to stanch the flow of blood as the other cupped himself. Her grandmother turned enraged eyes on her as her grandpa looked at her in dismay.

"He's lying. I didn't hit him first. He hit me. Look," Erin said as she lifted up her shirt and showed the forming bruises on her body. A sharp intake of breath from her grandpa was the only reaction she got.

"Why would he hit you first? I think the only person here who is lying is you. I want you out of my house now. I will not tolerate this behavior nor will I condone it. Go get your stuff and get out," Rose ordered.

"Please grandpa, you have to believe me," she pleaded, staring into his eyes. Her grandpa quickly looked away, unsure of who to believe or what to say. Erin could see the victorious gleam in her father's eyes and knew that no mattered what she said they weren't going to believe her. With nothing else to do, she turned and went up to gather her stuff, tears coursing down her face.

Numbly, she packed her things, not really feeling anything at all. She stared absently around the room, checking to see if she had everything. With jerky movements, she zipped up her duffle bag, the sense of déjà vu was not lost on her. She exited the room and quietly walked down the stairs. No one was in the living room to see her leave and she opened the front door, hesitating to walk out. She looked over one last time and was surprised to see her grandpa standing there, looking older than ever.

"I'm sorry for anything I've ever done wrong. But what happened today, I can't be sorry for that. It had been going on for too long and I couldn't keep letting him hit me. I'm sorry," she said, her voice barely above a whispered as she stared at the doorknob in her hands. When Tom didn't say anything, she felt her anger at her father grow that much more. Not only had he made Kyle leave, now she had lost her grandparents. With strength she didn't know she had, she forced herself to walk out the door and close it behind her. Now she was truly on her own.

Thank you for all the reviews, I'm glad you guys are liking the fic. And for all of those who are reading and have yet to review, please do, don't be afraid. I'mhappy for any feedback of any kind.