Hey everyone! I hope all of you had a wonderful Valentines day, or at least that you made it through the day without too many tears.

I want to once again, thank everyone for being so patient as I wrote this next chapter. This next chapter contains some sensitive subject matter that needed to be handled with care. That's why it took so long to get out.

If it's not already obvious, this chapter comes with trigger warnings for mention of sexual abuse, child exploitation and a brief mention of a suicide attempt.

That should about do it, so if you're ready, read on and I'll see you all at the bottom!

(Excerpt from Chapter 10 of 'Nine Months)

Rocky's Restaurant

When they walked into the restaurant, the bachelor party was in full swing.

Leif who was munching on a thick juicy burger looked at him with concern. "Hey, is everything okay?"

Connor grinned at him. "Yeah. It's all good."

Rocky looked at him expectantly. "I was concerned when only Skull showed up with the groceries. Did you have any troubles?"

Connor gave them all a smile. "The Donut Muncher is dead. Everything will be okay now."

"Are you serious?" Leif asked in shock. Rook walked up beside him. "It's really over?"

Connor nodded. "Yep, he died kneeling at my feet. You two can have the honor of calling Paladin and the others to let them know." He paused and looked over at Rocky. "In the meantime, I expended loads of energy kicking ass. I could use something to eat and drink."

Portland Oregon

Teens Hotel Room

Wes set up the special screen on the coffee table as Eric called the other adults into the room.

Katsume sat back on the couch surrounded by his friends as the rest of the adults walked in. Elisa sat next to him with her legs under her and her head resting on his shoulder.

"I'm assuming there's a new development." Tommy asked.

Eric had already been told the news, so he couldn't help but smile. "The best kind."

Katsume didn't dare hope that is tormentor was gone, but he sat quietly, basking in the sweet moment his girlfriend was creating. He paid the screen half a mind when the series of tones signaled that the call was going through.

He smiled when he saw Leif on the screen and Connor in the background. He sat up a little straighter when he noticed how roughed up he looked.

Leif waved at him. "Hey guys!"

Katsume waved back. "You look really happy. What's the good news?"

Leif grinned at him. "The Donut Muncher is dead. He's not going to be bothering anyone anymore."

Kastume sat forward, not sure of what he'd heard. "Did I hear you right?"

Leif nodded, grinning widely. "Dead as a doornail. I bet he's gotten to the morgue by now. The point is that you'll never have to worry about him finding you now."

Katsume didn't know what to think. He sat forward and swallowed. "How'd he die?"

"Heart attack." Connor said as he walked up behind the gothic groom. "That's the official cause of death." He caught sight of my shaman form and died away at my feet."

Tommy narrowed his eyes in confusion. "Wait, your shaman form?"

Connor nodded. "Yeah, he was prowling the aisles of the grocery store. As it turns out, he has a thing for grabbing innocent girls and women. Fate granted me my wish and we were right in his path. We lured him out and had a car chase, and he shoved me into a ditch. My inner shaman was fighting to come out the moment I saw him in the store. I held him in as much as I could. But the moment I was in real danger, He appeared."

"He died from fear?" Katsume asked in disbelief.

David now walked up behind his son. "Bullies are rarely as tough as they seem. They act tough but when they're up against real danger, they falter. Not to mention that Connor was radiating a lot of mystical power. Even I could feel the effects of it; it's not a shock to me that the little piggy was literally scared to death."

"And your car?" Tommy asked.

That made Connor sober up a bit. "Wrecked. The Garcia brothers already towed it to their shop."

"That's a classic car." Kyle said from beside Katsume. "I'd thought you'd be more upset about your car getting wrecked."

Connor nodded. "She was a beautiful mustang, but she's worth sacrificing to make sure that no one has to deal with that donut muncher again. He was a dangerous predator and now he's rotting in hell."

He paused a moment and then his nodded. "On the bright side of things, I've been wanting to upgrade her for a while. This just gives me an excuse to do it!"

All this time, Katusme had been sitting back trying to process the news. The abrupt change in his fortune was really jarring to him. When everyone got quiet, he realized that Connor was looking at him.

"Sorry, Connor."

"Hey, it's not a problem. What're you thinking about?"

Katsume shrugged. "I dunno. I guess I've been looking over my shoulder for so long that now I don't know what to do now that there's no monster coming after me."

Connor crossed his arms over his chest. "I thought it would be obvious. You're free and you're on vacation. I'd take that pretty girlfriend of yours and the rest of my crew and go celebrate. You've got a few hours before the ceremony starts. That should be plenty of time to stuff your face and have some dessert to celebrate."

Leif piped up again. "Just don't celebrate too hard. When we all get there tomorrow, we're really going to party!"

Autumn cocked her head sideways, "I thought Rook wasn't going to be here till much later?"

Rook walked up behind them. "Dad and I are leaving tomorrow morning. We were going to make it a guy thing. Dad's a Sci-Fi enthusiast, so when Andros offered to take us up in his spaceship, dad, jumped at the chance. He was cool about it and said we could just take that father son road trip during summer vacation."

"All this just to get here faster?"

Rook shrugged again. "That and the medical bay on their ship can fix me up the rest of the way so that I won't have to avoid the rides at the park. She can even get rid of the bruises on my back. By the time we board the train, I'll be good as new!"

When the call ended, Kyle looked at Katsume. "So, where are we going to celebrate?"

Katsume grinned. "I'm up for anywhere that gives out endless fries and thick delicious burgers…oh and some milkshakes."

Eric spoke up. "I saw a place where they have all of that and it's a good step up from Burger King. You ladies can go get freshened up, and I'll get directions."

Autumn looked at Elisa, "Come on. If this is a special occasion, we should dress for it."

When the girls left, Kyle grinned at Katsume. "This is going to be spectacular, I love it when she dresses up. We should get out of our street clothes and into something a little more dressy."

Katsume looked at him in confusion. "For burgers?"

Kyle grinned and clapped him on the back. "One of the perks of having such beautiful girlfriends is being able to show them off. For a gourmet burger joint, we're going dress-casual. I'll help you figure out what to wear."

When they left the room, Kimberly looked over at Gabriella who was looking at them quizzically. "You're welcome to join us; we've got a lot to celebrate tonight."

"Are they always like this?"

Kim crossed her arms over her chest. "How do you mean?"

"Like he's in his twenties and in a committed relationship. I've never seen a 16-year-old act so mature. Are they married or something?"

Tommy could sense that this was a job for his wife. "Hey Beautiful, this is your wheelhouse. I'll just go grab Mav's diaper bag and get changed into something more appropriate."

Kimberly kissed cheek. "Thanks handsome."

Kyle and Autumn's Room

"Your mother was a whore…her blood is in you. You may as well earn your keep…" Katsume felt his stomach drop as the memory suddenly flooded him. He'd been in such a good mood just a few minutes before but now as the excitement and joy faded the ugly memories came forth.

Memories that he'd shoved into the back of his mind-ones that he'd locked up tight, burst out of their confines and rushed him.

No! Stay away. Not now!

"You do know that you can sit on the bed?" Kyle said as he turned away from his suitcase. "Autumn and I didn't mess around last night and the sheets were changed this morning. It's clean."

Katsume shook as he suddenly felt lightheaded and nauseated.

He felt so hazy…and horny and in front of him was a naked girl…damn he wanted to be buried inside her. He licked his lips and crawled onto the bed…

"Katsume? Dude, are you okay?" Kyle asked more urgently.

Katsume shook harder and felt his knees give out.

Kyle moved fast and caught his friend as he collapsed.

"Uncle Tommy. Help!"

Katsume's vision had gone dark and he felt like he was having a heart attack. Then he felt a cool hand on his forehead. He could hear someone giving orders, but he couldn't respond.

Then he saw a light in his mind's eye. When the lighted faded, he saw the outline of a mighty warrior that radiated power and had really cool looking bird wings stretching out to either side of him. He felt so safe looking into this warriors' eyes.

"Paladin, Come back to me. You're safe."

"She can't know! She can never know!" There were tears in Paladin's eyes as he stared straight into Tommy's eyes.

"Paladin, can you show me?"

Katsume didn't know what was happening, but the memories were on repeat and he knew that Tommy could see everything. He didn't want Tommy to see, but the memories came and couldn't stop them.

"You tell anyone what happened, and I'll have you locked up in solitary confinement."

One last memory played. That of him writing his full confession on the notebook paper and wrapping it around that big stick and then throwing it on the fire. When that last visual passed, Katsume fell forward into Tommy's arms.

Strong arms lifted him up and settled him on the bed. Then the tears really came.

"I'm sorry! I should have told someone! Don't tell Elisa!"

A cold cloth was held to his brow and he it felt amazing against his hot forehead.

He relished in the coolness as his vision cleared. When he could see better, he saw that Kyle had left the room and only Tommy and one of the men…Eric were in the room.

Eric knelt next to the bedside and held out a bottle of cold water. "Take slow sips."

Katsume obeyed. The cool water was sweet relief and he wanted to gulp everything down.

When he felt better, Eric sat on the other side of the bed. "That looked to me like a panic attack. Are you okay?"

Katsume couldn't look the other man in the eye. He only looked at Tommy. "I didn't want to do it! He made me do it!"

Tommy nodded. "I believe you. You have my oath. No one needs to know what happened, with the exception of Eric who was already in the room."

Katsume leaned against Tommy. "I watched Porn…I shouldn't have watched it! He wanted me to get horny! Then he watched me in the shower afterwards. I just know that bathroom was wired!"

Tommy narrowed his eyes and then looked at Eric who'd carefully schooled his features to look focused, despite his tense stance.

When he looked back at the young teenager, he sighed and put a hand on his shoulder. "It's all over now, Paladin. That pig is dead, and he can't hurt you anymore. I saw that last image where you wrote your confession and burned it on the bonfire. That part of your past died that night.

Katsume looked over at Eric. "I know you have to tell the authorities…it's the law."

Eric nodded. "Yes, but if my suspicions are correct, then none of what happened was your fault."

When Katsume looked at him in disbelief, Eric knelt in front of him. "Everyone watches porn or looks at a skin mag eventually; it's all part of growing up. I'm also willing to bet that since no one gave you 'the talk', those images were pretty shocking, right?"

Katsume nodded feeling a little braver. "He wanted to make videos of me screwing that girl but I told him I wasn't interested. I think he taped me jerking off in the shower. He seemed pretty happy the next morning."

"And what about that girl?" Tommy prompted. "I doubt that you wanted to do it with her either."

Katsume shook his head vehemently. "I'd never seen her before, but she was pretty and looked a lot like those girls on the TV. It's not how I wanted my first time to go…I wanted to wait for the right girl. Like in those chick flicks. It somehow feels worse then when i found out that those two girls...raping me wasn't just some bad dream."

Tommy nodded. "Did you have any willpower to walk away?"

"I tried, but when she started playing around…I couldn't stop myself. I wanted to stop! The guilt was overwhelming the next morning. I felt so disgusting that i wanted to die...that's why 'i attempted suicide."

Tommy nodded. "One more question, did you smell anything weird before that?"

Katsume thought for a moment and nodded. "Yeah, but I didn't know what it was. I thought it was some kind of high-end perfume."

Tommy looked at him and then at Eric. "I'd bet my morpher someone got a hold of that pheromone. If Shawn is still on earth, I bet he's still peddling his wares."

"What are you guys talking about?"

Tommy looked back at him. "During our senior year, we had a run in with an alien substance called Pheromonius Seductionis. It's an inhalant that renders the party goer without inhibitions. A lot of humanoids use it during orgies to help the participants really let loose.

If it was used on you, then you're not responsible for what happened; especially if that idiot overdosed you.

"How can you tell?"

"When Andros gets here tomorrow, he can take you up to that med bay of his for some tests. If there are any lingering after effects, he'll let us know."

By this time, Katsume was feeling marginally better now that his secret had been purged. Sure, he felt drained, but he knew that as soon as he got food, he'd feel better.

When Kyle came in the room, he had a concerned look on his face. "Bro, you okay now?"

Katsume nodded. "I think so."

"What's bugging you now?"

"I know he's dead now, but I feel like he got off easy. I know I shouldn't want revenge, but it's there."

He looked up at Kyle not sure what his friend would say. Kyle looked thoughtful. "Would you feel better if we burned an effigy?"

"An effigy?"

Kyle nodded. "I don't see why not. Once everything is settled, all of us Miscreants go out to the campground overnight. We'll roast hot dogs, and then burn his body…and then we'll sleep in the cabins."

"I like that plan. Let's do it after everything is over."

Kyle nodded. "Count on it; but for now, we need to get ready for our double date. In the words of Mr. Miyagi, "Never keep ladies waiting."

A few hours later

"Hey guys, the live feed is up." Wes said as the teens gathered on the couch. Dinner had been amazing, and they were full and happy. The teenagers had enjoyed the endless fries and drinks and now they waited with easy smiles for the wedding to start.

When the link activated, Rook was the first person they saw. He was dressed in a dark tux with a light gray button up shirt underneath.

"Hey guys, nice of you to join us!" He greeted them with a beaming smile. "Did you guys enjoy dinner?"

Kyle grinned at him. "Yeah, who doesn't love unlimited fries? How did the bachelor party go?"

"It was pretty good, though I think we'll have an even better after party once we get to San Diego." He heard something in the background, and nodded before looking back at the camera. Hey, that was Leif. The ceremony is starting…and I have best man duties to do."

"See you guys later!" Kyle said as Rook walked away.

The chapel was beautiful in its simplicity. The fading rays of the sun illuminated the aging stained-glass windows creating an ethereal backdrop. It was as if the night had gifted this beautiful atmosphere to the couple who were madly in love.

Leif had a soft smile on his face as Sapphire walked down the isle on her father's arm. She looked like a dark fairy princess in her dress of white lace and black accents. The bodice accentuated her curves and glittering tiara adored her raven colored curls and on her hands were very white lacy kid gloves. She seemed to float down the isles as she drew closer to her groom.

Leif looked like a dashing gentleman in his black tuxedo and white silken shirt. His tie was black silk and tied in a very intricate knot. On his hands were a pair of new leather fingerless gloves with tiny metal studs. He had even applied the barest hint of guyliner around his eyes to add a gothic touch to his look.

By Goth standards, he was very sexy, and Sapphire took it all in as they joined hands in front of the minister.

He gave his opening remarks and welcomed everyone to this very intimate ceremony. He gave the opening remarks and asked them both to affirm that they were at the alter of their own volition.

When they both told him yes, he asked them to speak their vows.

Leif was the first to speak.

"In times of darkness, I'll be your light

In times of weakness, I'll be your strength.

In times of sorrow, I'll be your comfort

And in times of need, I'll provide relief.

Sapphire smiled at him and brushed away a tear.

When the minister nodded at her and asked her to repeat the vows. With a steady clear voice, she did so and then it was time for the rings.

Rook stepped up and handed over the simple gold ring and he placed it on her ring finger.

Then he spoke again:

"With this ring, I bind myself to you and make us one in heart, body, and spirit for as long as we both shall live. From this moment on, I see no other woman and I swear to honor you above everyone else for the rest of my days."

When he slid the ring on her finger, he bent down to kiss her hand and then waited as a woman that Kyle immediately recognized as the former queen Lilith, stepped forward and handed the ring to the bride.

Sapphire slid the ring onto his finger and then repeated the vows.

"With this ring, I bind myself to you and make us one in heart, body, and spirit for as long as we both shall live. From this moment on, I see no other man and I swear to honor you above everyone else for the rest of my days."

As she slid the ring on the rest of the way, she mouthed 'I love you.' to her Leif and he mouthed it back.

The minister acknowledged their vows and blessed their union and offered up a prayer to the saints before speaking the final words to seal the marriage up.

"By the power vested in me by the state of California, I pronounce you both man and wife. You may kiss your bride."

That kiss could have rivaled any romance movie. It lasted for only a minute, but nobody would ever doubt their love and many of the adults knew this was only a precursor to what their nighttime activities would be.

The priest offered one final blessing as they turned towards him.

"What has been joined here, let no one tear apart. Go forth! Be fruitful and multiply!"

Leif flashed a smile at Sapphire and kissed her once more.

Hand in hand, they walked down the simple white aisle runner and out the door.

It would take a few minutes for the well wishers to make it through the line, so those watching the video feed took a few minutes to grab drinks and some snacks.

"Katsume, you seemed pretty quiet during dinner, I would think you'd be the one doing the most celebrating." Elisa asked him looking concerned.

Katsume smiled down at her and kissed her sweetly. "I can promise that I'm celebrating more than you'd think. All I want at this moment is to be with you and my friends. I'm ready to but the ugly past behind me and look at the amazing girl in front of me.

That earned him a sweeter kiss from Elisa and he enjoyed the few moments before the moment ended.

Finally, the happy couple were standing in front of the camera.

"That was beautiful, guys!" Autumn said with a grin. "I don't know how I'll ever top that!"

"You can start by having all of us with you and with all that time to plan, it'll be epic. If not then I'll be seriously disappointed!"

"In the meantime," Leif added. "We have a trip to get ready for. Tomorrow the real party begins!

Kyle grinned at him. "But first you have a plane to catch. I promise that we won't start the party without you!"

So, I hope you guys made it through the chapter! The wedding part was included to help lighten things up after the rough start of the chapter.

Did you guys like the vows? Let me know what you thought of the chapter in the review section!