Author's note's - here is chapter 3, I hope you like it. Please read and review, but be nice

Chapter Three

She was tossing and turning in her sleep, the nightmare was so bad that she felt it was real and that she felt trapped in the nightmare.

The nightmare-

The room was dimly lit at it was night time, Claire stood in the corner shaking like a leaf. Claire was wearing a short knee high wine red dress, her foster father told her to wear the dress and to wait for his friend.

A man open's the door then closed it behind him, he has dark brown hair and light brown eyes. The man was taller than Claire and was slim build like a athlete.

He says huskily. "Hello I'm Matt, what's your name?"

Claire was scared. "My name is Claire"

Matt smiles then his face expression changed. "I hate the colour of your dress, red makes me angry"

Claire was now frightened. "Please don't hurt me"

Matt didn't care and walked over and grabbed Claire roughly.

Matt smirks. "I'm going to have to punish you"

Claire had tears falling down face, she try's to push Matt away from her but he was too strong.

Matt balled his hand into a fist and punched Claire over and over again, he lets her go and she falls to the floor where he kicked her in the stomach and in the ribs.

By the time he finished Claire was unconscious, Matt smiles at his handiwork then left. Claire's foster father walked into the room, he sees her all bruised and bloody from the beating she got from Matt.

Nightmare ends.

Claire woke up screaming with tears falling down her face, her breathing was laboured and she try's to get her breathing under control.

Everyone hears Claire's scream and got out of bed then went out into the hallway.

Virgil was the first one to be at the door of the room Claire was sleeping in, he opens the door to see her hugging her legs to her chest and tears falling down her face. It broke Virgil's heart to see Claire so distraught and vulnerable, he walks over and gently sat down on the edge bed then gently wrapped his arms around her.

Claire jumps a little but calm down enough when she realizes that it was Virgil hugging her, she wraps her arms around Virgil while still crying. Virgil rubs gently on Claire's back while saying soothing words.

Claire sniffles. "I... I'm sorry... I woke everyone up, that I woke you up"

Virgil looks down at Claire and wipes her tears away. "Shhh it's ok, you don't need to apologize"

Claire looks up at Virgil. "Thank you for comforting me"

Virgil smiles gently. "Your welcome... do you want to talk about your nightmare or doyou want to try and go back to sleep?"

Claire thinks for a minute, she's more tired that anything. "I want to go back to sleep... but can I stay with you please?"

Virgil nods and smiles. "yes you can stay with me tonight"

Virgil took Claire to his room and gave her one of his t-shirts and shorts to change into, once she changed she climbs into bed with Virgil.

Everyone else had gone back to bed and feel back to sleep.

Virgil turned the lamp off then wraps his arms around Claire protectively. Claire snuggled up to Virgil with her arm over his stomach and laying her head on his chest, it wasn't long before she fell asleep peacefully this time. Virgil smiles and kisses the top of Claire's head then fell asleep himself.

By morning everyone was up except for Virgil and Claire. Grandma Tracy said it was best to leave them to sleep after the night Claire had.

Scott put his cup down and looks to Penny. "Penny what happened to Claire that she now has nightmares?"

Penny sighs. "It's for Claire to tell you... but I guess that I can tell you"

For the next hour Penny told everyone what happened to Claire, about how her foster father made her almost sleep with Matt. Penny also told them that Matt would beat her all the time and she would end up in hospital.

Claire and Virgil had woke up but made no move to get out of bed yet. Claire told Virgil everything that happened to her, she also told him that last nights nightmare was so bad that she felt trapped in the nightmare.

Virgil looks into Claire's eyes. "Your not alone anymore, you have Penny, Parker and me too, as well as my family"

Claire smiles a real smile. "Thank you Virgil for being there for me"

Virgil couldn't help but smile. "Your welcome...you can always come to me if you need something"

Claire was a little shocked. "Why?"

Virgil knew he had to tell Claire how he felt about her. "Because I love you Claire, since I saw you for the first time"

Claire gasps. "I love you too Virgil, spending most of my time with you was when I started falling for you"

Virgil smiles then leans in to capture Claire's lips with his, it was a soft and gently kiss. Claire was surprised at first but kisses Virgil back. Once they parted and caught their breath back, Virgil leans his forehead against Claire's.

Virgil smiles. "We better get up and go down for breakfast"

Claire agreed as she was hungry and they both got dressed, Virgil waited outside the room Claire was using. Once Claire finished she walked out and they both went downstairs holding hands.

Everyone saw Virgil and Claire walk into the room holding hands and smiling.

Scott speaks first. "Claire I'm sorry for how I've treated you, I'm sorry that you got hurt by that Matt guy"

Claire was shocked for a second time that morning. "It's ok I understand what you did, was because you knew how Virgil feels for me... as for what Matt did to me, it will take a while for me to move on from what he did to me"

Scott nods. "Just know that we're all here for you"

Claire smiles. "Thank you all of you, I'm grateful to have you all in my life"

Claire felt lighter like a weight had been lifted off of her shoulders, she felt luck to have everyone in her life and she was glad how things worked out so far in her life. Claire looks to Virgil and smiles, she can't wait to see what the future holds for the both of them. For now Virgil and Claire will take things slowly.

Penny had left the room and returned ten minutes later with a sad expression. "Claire that was Officer Maddie Walker on the phone... they caught Matt"

Claire was shocked but happy and worried at the same time. "Does that mean I will have to go to court?"

Penny was worried about Claire. "Maybe... but Maddie will inform us if you need to take the stand"

Claire nods gently and try's not to think about the situation.

Virgil put his hand on top of Claire's and she looks to him. "You are not alone, I'm here for you"

Scott nods. "We are all here for you, I'll contact our family lawyer and tell him to help you"

Claire couldn't believe it. "Thank you... all of you"

The rest of the day was spent getting to know Claire more. Everyone was ready to help Claire fight for justice in court. Claire knew it wouldn't be easy but she wanted to the past behind her, she knew that she wasn't alone anymore.

Author's note's- I hope you liked it, I'll try and update soon.