Author's Note: Well, I'm back. School started. Sorry you had to wait so long

Notes at the bottom.

Disclaimer: See any of the previous chapters.

Chapter 14

Angel's POV

I called in sick for a whole week. I didn't bother getting out of bed for almost two days except to run down to the grocery store in my pajamas to buy more chocolate and rent more movies. I took to eating chocolate frosting straight out of the can, yelling at the TV, and throwing half eaten chocolates at it. I got so loud one day that the landlord came over and to tell me to quiet down and ended up sending his wife over a half and hour after he left to take care of me. She got me to get up and take a shower and even pick up all the boxes of half eaten chocolate and the empty cans of frosting. When she wished me a merry Christmas before she left I was caught completely off guard.

"When is Christmas?" She frowned.

"Three days dear. Goodness, you really have been out of it, haven't you?"

"You could say that..."

"I hope everything gets straightened out before then. Give me a ring if you ever need anything, okay?"

"I'll remember that, Mrs. Stratton. And thank you so much for everything."

"Good bye dear."

When she left I looked around my dim apartment and jumped in bed to fall into a deep sleep, the first in five days. When I got up there was a small patch of light on the floor. It hit me that I hadn't turned on more than one small table lamp in five days. On impulse I threw open the curtains on every window and turned on every light in the house. My eyes hurt from the brightness, but I could get used to light again. I sat on my window ledge and looked out on the freshly fallen snow that sparkled in the bright sunshine. It reminded me that there was still good in the world, something I'd forgotten when Darry left me.

Darry, his name made me want to turn off all the lights and hide under the covers again. What had I done? What on earth had I done? I needed to talk to him, and it had to be today. But it would have to wait. He didn't get home until late because of his jobs and I needed to talk to him longer than the ten minutes that he had for lunch. Then it hit me, tonight was the company Christmas party, I'd just see him then.

I found the dress I'd worn for my senior prom. When I put it on and it still fit I thanked God that I hadn't let my friend convince me to buy the pink princess dress she liked so much. This one was a beaut'. It was a white satin V-neck that didn't go too low, the tops of the V tapering off into straps that criss-crossed to my mid-back. The skirt was full and went down past my ankles, swishing whenever I took a step. I did my hair in a complicated upsweep that I had learned from my mother from watching her get ready for parties when I was little. I put on teeny diamond earrings, which I was convinced were the only diamonds I'd ever own and hoped I would be able to walk in my high heels. I looked in the mirror and hoped that Darry would be impressed enough by what I wore that he'd forgive me for being so awful. A long shot, but I needed all the help I could get.

Bu the time I got to the upscale reception hall that the party was being held at it had already begun. I didn't mind. I kind of liked making an entrance. I flung the doors open with both hands and took in the room, remembering what my mother had said about first impressions and how to make a grand entrance. After my coat had been removed I scanned the room, searching for Darry. My heart stopped when I saw him. He looked as handsome as ever and was smiling at a lovely blonde girl. I shook when I realized it was Michelle Coolidge, the girl who'd thrown herself at Darry months before. She was sitting on the arm of his chair, laughing hysterically at whatever he'd said, leaning towards him as if to show off her plunging neckline to the best possible advantage. I heard a strangled cry and upon the realization that it'd come from me, I spun around and flew from the room. I ran through the parking lot, hitting quite a few cars that I didn't make out through the blur of my tears. I came to a stop underneath a street lamp and bent over to catch my breath. That's when I heard someone calling my name. I turned around to see Jonathan Park running after me.

"Are you alright?" He asked, taking my arm and looking at me worriedly.

"Oh, I'm just peachy," I mumbled.

"I saw you running out and ..." He trailed off, peering at me with a funny look on his face.

"I—I'm fine, I just saw something that...uh...distressed me." He frowned, looking very sympathetic.

"Do you mean Curtis and Coolidge?"

"I...er...yes, I guess I do..."

"Yes, well," he squeezed my shoulder, "I'm sure you're too good for him anyways."

"Oh, I know I am! And if that's the kind of trash he chooses to associate then I want nothing to do with him!" My voice caught in my throat and I started to stomp off. I stopped though, when I stomped into a huge puddle of slush and icy water. Instantly he was at my side, his arm around my waist, his hand resting just above my hip as he pulled me out of the water and towards the parking lot again.

"We need to get you inside, Angel. You'll freeze." I moved out of his arms.

"Oh no! I can't go back in there! I couldn't...It'd be horrible!" He smiled at me.

"Alright then, my car's not to far from here, why don't I drive you to someplace warm without Curtis inside it?" I tried to smile, though the proposition made me a little bit uncomfortable.

"Okay, coffee sounds good."

He put his arm around me again and his finger brushed against my breast. I ducked from under his arm and moved ahead of him.

"So, where are you taking me?" I asked, my words coming out between chatters.

"You're freezing, aren't you? Here, take my jacket." He took it off and put it over my shoulders, his hands running down my arms. I felt his warm breath on my neck and then the caress of his lips on the nape of my neck.

"I don't think we should be doing this." I said, trying to step away from him.

"Why ever not?" His words tickled my ear. "I want you, Angel." His lips went down my neck and I squirmed out of his grasp.

"I really should get home."

"No, Angel. Not yet." He grabbed me and shoved me against a car, capturing my mouth and kissing me with passion. I couldn't kiss back. Instead, I fought him.

Darry's POV

I was getting nervous. It had been almost fifteen minutes since Angel had came in and ran out with Jonathan Park in tow. I just hadn't been able to get rid of Michelle. Park had come over to me with her on his arm just after I'd come in, and she hadn't left me alone. I had tried to be courteous to her, but after Angel ran out I just couldn't pay any attention to her. I finally excused myself and ran outside. I searched the parking lot and almost went back inside when I heard a scream.

I took off at a dead run and finally found them. I saw Angel crumple to the ground before Jonathan Park leapt on top of her. I flew towards them and jerked him off of her before wrapping my hands around his throat and squeezing with all my might. His face was full of terror and there was a blood pouring from a spilt lip. He was gasping for breath and pulling on my arms helplessly, which made me increase the pressure. He was going to die for hurting her. He would die.

"Darry?" Her voice brought me to reality. I couldn't kill him. But I sure could hurt him. I started pounding the heck out of him. "Darry? Stop...Darry..." Her voice was whisper soft. I dropped Park and he fell to his hands and knees, coughing and spewing blood.

I knelt next to her, pulling her into my arms. She was soaked through, her dress was torn at the neckline, and purple bruises were already showing up on her lips.

"Darry? Is it you?" She was so pale in the moonlight and so cold. I kissed her forehead and brushed the hair off her face.

"Yeah, baby, it's me." I took me coat off and draped it over her, picking her up and walking towards my car.

"Are you horribly mad at me? For yelling at you?" I choked back a sob.

"No, baby, no I'm not mad at you. Oh baby, stay with me, okay?" She nodded and I put her in my truck, driving with one hand on the wheel, one arm around her, the heater blasting.

"Darry, I'm so sleepy..."

"Stay with me hunny, okay? You need to stay awake, okay?"

"Alright...He tried to hurt me, Darry." I gripped the steering wheel harder.

"I know baby, I know. But I'm here now, and he won't ever touch you again, I swear."

"I was so scared..."

"I know sweetheart, I know."

"Don't leave me Darry, don't ever leave me."

"Never in a million years."

"Promise?"

"I swear to you."

"Even when I get mad and do stupid things?"

"Angel, I love you, I won't ever, ever let anything hurt you ever again, okay?"

"Okay."

We drove along in silence for several minutes when suddenly, she sat up and looked at me.

"I love you too, Darry." And then she kissed me.

Fin

Thank you to all of my fabulous reviewers: rhaine, Amber, SodapopCutrisDX, nextbigthing, Tehsylvania, Sodapop's#1gurl, CrazyAlchemistgrl017, Bex, Raine Ishida, digital dawn, and Caitym. THANK YOU!

And a huge, colossal thank you to all my steady reviewers: Sodapop's#1gurl, nextbigthing, and Raine Ishida, I appreciate you guys so much and I seriously couldn't have done it without all your encouragement! THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART!

God bless you all, email me if you want to, love you all!

I'll be back, don't worry.