Author's Notes: Wow, this I do believe is close to my longest chapter yet. Or at least, I hope so. I also do believe it to be my best and most favorite chapter. I just hope it's good for you all too. I was gonna make it a lot shorter, but I think this is fine as it is. Maybe a bit too long, but I couldn't find any good ways to end it earlier. I'm happy with it as it is.

Music I listened to while writing this chapter:

Buddy Holly - Weezer

Love You Down - INOJ

Always - Saliva

Stupid - Sarah McLachlan

Listen to Your Heart - U.H.T.

Wonderwall - Oasis

Champagne Supernova - Oasis

Chicago is So Two Years Ago - Fall Out Boy

Ok, here's Chapter 11! Please do enjoy! Read and review!

Brendan arrived at his apartment complex, parked his truck and headed up to his place. Unlocking the door, he slipped inside and shut it behind him, taking off his shoes immediately. Shrugging out of his jacket, he tossed it across the couch, heading into his room. His bed was unmade and he tried hard to not imagine her there, under his blankets, just like she had been that morning.

Quickly and sloppily, he made the bed. He mostly just pulled the sheets up over the pillows, then the blanket. It still smelled like her. He needed a dog. A big one that would roll all around his bed and his house and take away the sweet smell of vanilla that she seemed to leave everywhere.

Snatching up the permission forms from his computer desk, he went into his living room and sat down, digging a pen out of his couch. He began to fill it out. First name, last name, destination, purpose of the trip, medical information, what he was allergic to... Since he was 18, he could legally fill out everything and sign it all, then be done. Lily, of course, would need a parent's signature.

Lily. Why did she just pop into his head like that? He closed his eyes, rubbing his temples. He needed to do something to distract him. He could fix the bathroom door. That was a good idea. He'd need to go out to Home Depot and get things to fix the door with, but he could more t Lhan likely get it done and waste a couple hours doing it. Then he could practice some more DDR, needed to work even harder for the tournament. That would definitely get her out of his head for a little while... Sighing, he stood up and grabbed his keys, heading out again.

Lily sighed, flipping through the TV channels only to discover that the third time around the guide doesn't make good shows magically appear. Especially on a Sunday. Giving up, she turned off the TV and stretched. That had killed a couple hours with infomertials. She even saw her favorites, the Magic Bullet blender and Little Giant Ladder System. Ooooh.

Deciding that she wasn't going anywhere today, she changed into comfy pants and a long sleeved tee. She sat down in front of her computer, tapping the spacebar until it whirred to life. After logging on, her ears perked up as her cell phone went off, still in her jacket pocket on the floor in her living room. Sighing, she got up from her chair and quickly followed the ringtone, digging the cell phone out only to see it was Wayne calling. Deciding she didn't want to talk to him, as usual, she silenced the tone and went back into her room. He didn't leave a message. She shrugged and logged onto Counter Strike, turning up the volume. Now for some fun.

A few hours later, Lily logged off and put her computer into sleep mode again. Glancing at the clock, she sighed as it read 6 PM. Her stomach growled at its lack of food content. Pulling her piggy bank down off a shelf, she scrouned up 9 dollars and called her favorite chinese dilivery place, Skillman Wok. Her orange chicken would arrive within 30 minutes.

She went into the living room, setting the money on the table and curling up on the couch. The Sunday night goodies were finally on TV and she settled on The Simpsons. Her doorbell rang about halfway through the show. Muting the TV, she gathered up her money quickly and answered the door, expecting her food.

Instead, Wayne stood there. It had already gotten dark outside, making him look even creepier than usual.

"Wayne..." She breathed, all color draining from her face. He stepped inside, forcing her to take several steps back, her hands coming up a bit defensively. Without taking his eyes off her, he shut the door behind him. She could already smelled the alcohol on him. He swayed slightly as he approached her even further, indicating he was pretty intoxicated.

Soon he had her back up against a wall, his hands on either side of her, face too close to hers, "Why did you leave without me last night?" He asked darkly, "Who did you leave with?"

"I-I didn't leave with anyone, Wayne. I just went home because I had a headache. Some girls told me you were busy so Brendan gave me a ride home-"

Before she knew what had happened, her whole face reeled and she saw stars for a moment. He had slapped her! Tears welled up in her eyes as she covered her cheek, looking back at him.

"Don't lie to me! Brittany told me she saw you two outside together under a streetlight! She said it looked like he was going to kiss you. I can't believe you'd cheat on me! After all I've done for you..."

"Done for me! As if! And like you're the one to talk about cheating! It's not like you're a saint who's never done anything to betray ME!"

He slapped her again, across the other cheek. She forced herself not to yelp, now avoiding his gaze. It was useless. She just needed to get away from him. His hands grabbed her sides, as if sensing what she was planning to do.

"I can forgive you, Lily. I'll give you another chance. But you have to prove you're worth it." One hand stayed at her waist, the other grabbing at her breast through her shirt as he shoved her up against the wall.

She closed her eyes. It was no use... Her parents weren't there, she had no one to scream for... Then she remembered. 'If you need anything at all, call me...'

Brendan.

She had to get to her cell phone. He was distracted momentarily as he tried to lift her shirt up and she took advantage of that, bracing her hands up against his chest and shoving as hard as she could. He nearly lost his balance at that and fell back slightly, but that was all she needed. She ducked under his arms and rushed down the hallway into her room. The money fell from her hand, forgotten onto the floor.

Shutting the door, she locked it and picked up her cell phone from where it was near her computer. She went down her contacts list, finding his name and hitting the call button. She heard it ring. And ring. The door shuddered as Wayne pounded on it and she stood up against it. After another ring, she heard someone pick up, then his familiar voice, "Lily?"

"Help-" Was all she could get out before Wayne shoved through the door behind her, sending her and her cell phone flying half across her room. She shrieked a bit as she fell and reached for her cell phone again, but Wayne picked it up before she could, snapping it closed. Hanging up on Brendan. He tossed it aside and laughed at her.

"Who are you calling? Brendan? Think he'll help you?" Reaching down, he pulled her up to her feet before shoving her onto her bed. "No one can help you. You're mine." His hand grabbed her ankle, tugging at her cotton pants, but she managed to kick him away and even in the face. He growled and moved up, pinning her under his body, his hands roaming all over her.

"Are you gonna scream, Lily?" He whispered maliciously into her ear. She closed her eyes and turned her head away. He reached up, his hand wrapping easily around most of her jaw, forcing her face back to him. His mouth pressed against hers and she tried to push him away. It was disgusting, the way he was touching her, the way he was trying to kiss her, the way he smelt, it was all so very gross... Her stomach turned when he tried to force his tongue into her mouth, but she bit it and he quickly withdrew.

Giving up on her mouth, he began to bite her neck, not gently, just wanted to cause her pain and leave his own markings on her. Freeing one hand out from underneath him, she tried as best she could to shove him off of her. But he was heavy and gravity was in his favor now; she barely moved him. The hand on her jaw released her and instead grabbed her wrist, pulling it up over her head. Soon her second hand followed, both held there by his hand, his other trying furiously to pull up her shirt.

Slowly, he succeeded, pulling the thin fabric up inch by inch, revealing her flesh. She shuddered unpleasantly at his touch, thoughts of Brendan running through her mind, wondering if he was going to save her. If he had even realized why she called. If he was mad because he thought she'd just hung up on him...

Her body again shivered as he pulled her shirt up and over her bra, his eyes now glowing fondly with lust. His hand slid under the lacy article and it was ice on her, making her whimper as he groped her much too hard. He wanted more. Withdrawing the hand, he slid it under her back, reaching for her bra's clasp. Fortunately, he was too drunk to realize this particular one snapped in the front and instead spent quite a bit of time feeling around for it.

Finally he grew irritated and grabbed the strap, beginning to pull hard, intent on ripping it off of her. The fabric cut into her skin harshly as he did, making her wince. She'd stopped fighting him and now lay quietly, just waiting for him to finish so he would leave her alone. Suddenly she felt his weight being yanked off of her and he let go of her bra with a snap. She sat up quickly to see Brendan throwing his best right hook across Wayne's cheek. He dropped him to the floor, pushing his shoe-covered foot into the back of his neck, forcing his face painfully into the carpet.

"If you show your face to her once again, I swear to God, I will hunt you down and kill you. Don't ever doubt that. The things you have done to women are atrocious and I never want to hear from you again. Don't contact her, don't look at her, don't even fucking think about her. And if you don't think I'll kill you, you're probably right. It's probably the rage talking, but trust me, I'll beat to within an inch of your life, then turn you over to my father's side of the law. And I promise you, it will not be any better." He hissed, digging his foot even further into Wayne's neck with every word, meaning it all truly. Shoving down once more, he finally withdrew his foot and watched Wayne get to his feet, his eyes avoiding Brendan's and instead staring hatefully at Lily.

Brendan grabbed his shirt front and forced Wayne to look him straight in the eye, "What the fuck did I say about looking? Get out of here!" Shoving Wayne back forcefully, he stared as Wayne stumbled out of the room. The front door slammed a few moments later.

Brendan looked back to Lily, who sat on her bed, straightening her shirt as silent tears running down her cheeks. He kneeled down next to her, beside her bed, gently cupping her chin with his fingers, pressing his forehead against hers. Her eyes closed and weakly, she wrapped her arms around his neck loosely in a small jesture of thanks. He returned the embrace, pulling her a bit closer to him and hugged her warmly.

"I was so scared that you weren't gonna come... That you didn't know that I needed you... That you'd think I was just calling and hanging up..." She whispered, tears still falling down her cheeks. "That he was gonna hurt me again..."

"I'm never gonna let that happen to you, Lily. You're never going to be hurt by him or anyone else again. I promise you that. I'll protect you..." He said softly, stroking her hair to comfort her, just like he did the night before after her nightmare.

She buried her face in his neck, inhaling his scent and already felt much more relaxed. "Can I stay with you? Until my parents get back?" She asked softly, tentative. "I just... I'm scared he'll come back and I won't have the chance to call you..."

"I was about to suggest that," Brendan smiled, pulling back and kissing her forehead. "What do you need to take with you?"

Lily looked around, biting her lower lip. It was then that he noticed the red marks on her cheeks that were started to swell slightly.

"My God, Lily... He hit you?" He tilted her head up a bit, checking for bruises. Lily stayed silent for a moment, then spoke quietly.

"He thought I cheated on him with you...I told him I didn't but he wouldn't believe me."

"That hypocritical son of a bitch... I should have hit him harder." Brendan muttered. His fingers still tingled from the impact of the very hard hit, but he figured he could've hit even harder. If he had known...

Drawing her back into his arms, he gave her a warm hug before pulling back and brushing the hair out of her eyes. "Ok, I'm gonna take you to my house now and he won't hurt you there. I highly doubt he'll ever hurt you again, but this is a precaution. Get your things."

Lily nodded, standing up and moving to her closet. She pulled out some jeans, a skirt, a few shirts and tossed them on the bed. Then a couple more pairs of pajama pants and a shirt similar to the one she wore now, only black. Going over to her dresser, she blushed as he watched her pick out some underwear and a few bras, putting them on top of the small pile before bundling it all up. She turned to find Brendan holding out her old and empty backpack. Smiling gratefully, she took it from him and shoved all of her clothes in, along with the toothbrush and toothpaste from her bathroom.

She had just slung the pack over her back when the doorbell rang. Lily froze, thinking it might be Wayne. Brendan nodded before going to the front door and opening it slowly, cautiously. A guy stood in a red jacket with a brown bag in his outstretched hand.

"Total is seven forty-two." He said boredly.

She'd totally forgotten. "I um, ordered some before Wayne showed up. That's the only reason I even opened the door..." She murmured from behind Brendan, crouching down to gather up the dropped bills and change. But when she looked up, Brendan had already handed the guy a ten and taken the food. He closed the door and smiled softly at her. She straightened again, offering him the cash. Brendan shook his head.

"Wanna eat this here or at my place?" He asked, also taking her backpack from her. She'd removed it when the doorbell rang.

"Um... Your place, I guess. It's ok, really. I can carry this stuff." She said shyly, watching him swing her backpack onto his shoulder. He shook his head again and opened the door, peering outside. Wayne's truck was gone, and he nodded to Lily before opening it the rest of the way for her.

He even opened the car door for her, handing her the chinese food and putting the backpack in the backseat, or whatever pathetic excuse for one it was. The food was warm in her lap and she put on the seatbelt as soon as he got in and started the car.

He backed out of her driveway and his hand found hers in the darkness of the car. She blushed softly, intertwining her fingers with his, staring out the window. Today had turned out not so badly.