Hello readers,

Here is Chapter 17. There isn't much going on in this chapter, but I hope you like it. I want to thank everyone who have commented. It makes me want to write more, hence why I was able to get this chapter written and posted. I hope you continue to comment and review. I hope new readers will start comment and review. Again, it helps so much if you do.

Considering so many people have commented and it only took me a week to get this chapter out, I guess I won't keep you from reading any longer. Hope you enjoy. Please keep commenting and reviewing.

Thank you,

-M

Chapter 17.

Confession

I don't remember a lot of what happened; most of it was just a blur. I did remember I had my gun and tried to get it out of my purse, but sadly I wasn't fast enough. He grabbed it before I could even unzip the zipper. Once he had it he threw it as far away from us as he could. It wasn't a second later he smacked me across the face and I fell to the ground. That's when the beating started. I didn't know how long he hit me, and I tried to fight him off, until he beat me so bad I started going in and out of conscious. The pain was more than enough to make me wish I wasn't here.

The last thing I remember before he left was his hot breath on my face. He was gently rubbing his knuckles on my face. I was in too much pain to move away from his touch.

"I told you something bad was going to happen," Clay informed me. "You just wouldn't listen. You better come up with a good lie to explain what happened to you. It could be worse if you tell someone. It'll be them if you talk. I hope you learned your lesson… Stay out of trouble."

Then I lost conscious again. Again, I didn't know how long I was out, but when I become semiconscious I heard my brother calling my name. It sounded like it was coming from far away, and I tried my hardest to push through the darkness towards his voice.

"Monroe!" he yelled. "Monroe, please wake up. The bus is on its way. You have to wake up for me please."

"Adam," I groaned.

My head felt heavy, but I was able to slowly open my eyes just enough to see my brother looking over me. There he was gazing down at me with a very worried expression on his face. He looked like he was on the verge of tears as he held me in his arms. It wasn't long before I felt myself being pulled back into unconscious, with him yelling my name as I feel.

~J&M~

From there I don't remember much, besides darkness. I became conscious enough during the ambulance ride, the EMTs pushing me through the emergency room, and a few times while I was in my room. Other than that, the dark pools of a dreamless sleep pulled me under again, and again.

I don't know how long I was out; a few days, maybe, was my guess. When I did start to come to everything hurt. My ribs, my head, my back, etc., and I couldn't pinpoint which hurt worse. At first I had no idea where I was or how I had gotten there.

Slowly I started to hear the beeping sound of a heart monitor. The sound gave away that I was probably in the hospital. It took me a few more seconds to remember why I was there. Then it clicked and I started to recalled what my last memories were before I passed out.

It started with a girls' night with Erin and Kim after the long day we all had. Jay showing up, asking me to forgive him and also to dance, but I turned him down. Him watching me, and then coming back a second time to try for another dance. Erin pushing me towards him, and Jay dragging me to the dance floor. How I felt so protected in his arms after giving him a second chance. Then feeling paranoid that someone was watching me, and all my friends looking worried, but I told them I was just tired. Jay driving me home, and kissing me on the cheek. Him leaving and me going into my apartment to find Clay waiting for me, and then him beating for what felt like hours.

All of the night's events came flying back to me and sound of the heart monitor got faster. My eyes flew open, and flew into a sitting position. The fast motion made my body scream in pain, which made me fall back onto the bed. I closed my eyes tight, and bit my tongue to stop a cry from making its way past my lips. My arms wrapped around my arms around myself, trying to make the pain stop. Everything hurt, and I mean everything. It felt like I got hit by a bus, and I didn't know how to make it stop.

"Monroe?" someone said, near my bed. "Are you okay?"

I groaned and opened my eyes once more. The room I happened to be in was defiantly in the hospital. It was white everywhere; even the little furniture in here was white. One of the many reasons why I didn't like hospitals, they were so dull and smelled so sterile.

Once my eyes were done observing the room, they landed on my brother sitting on the right side of my bed. He looked worried, but relief was written all over his face. I watched has he took my hand in his and brought it up to his mouth to kiss it, with tears in his eyes. He held it up to his face in one hand, as he put his free one on my face. I flinched a little bit and hissed in pain.

"I'm sorry Roe," Adam muttered.

"It's fine," I sighed. "What am I doing here?"

"Dawn called me at work when you didn't come to work today. Asked me to go check on you, because you never missed a shift. When I got there the door was locked, but when I opened it and walked down the hall to the living room… there you were in the middle of it. Blood was everywhere. I thought I had lost you."

Tears were streaming down his face by now, and I wanted to make his pain go away. I don't think I have ever seen my brother cry as an adult. Yeah, he cried as a child, everyone does, but grown-up men think they shouldn't cry, no matter how bad the situation is. It broke my heart that he was crying over me.

"You could never lose me," I whispered hoarsely, trying to lighten the mood. "I'm not done being the annoying little sister you love to hate."

Sadly, this didn't make him laugh… not even a little. He just stared at me, and I didn't know how the expression and tears on his face made me feel. I know I didn't want him to cry over me even though I was his sister and he cared for me.

"How long was I out?" I asked.

"A day," Adam answered, "give or take a few hours."

"Great."

I sighed and closed my eyes, trying to get my hurting body to relax. It was quiet and I could still feel my brother's eyes on me. This was defiantly not helping me relax. Sighing again – in frustration this time – I opened my eyes, and glanced over at Adam.

"What?" I muttered.

"What happened in the apartment yesterday?" he asked, bluntly.

"Adam–"

Before I can answer his question with a lie, there was a knock on the door. My brother and I looked in that direction and there was Hank standing there. He was still serious as ever and he meant business by the expression on his face. I could tell he was here to ask the hard questions and I wasn't sure if I could give them to him.

"Hi Sarg," Adam said.

He let go of my hand and stood up. Hank said his name in greeting but soon turned his attention to me. Just by looking at him I knew I wasn't going to be able to lie to him. It would have been easy to figure out something to tell my brother. He may or may not have believed it but I'm sure it would have gotten him off my back, but Voight was a different story. He will be able to see right through me.

"Hey Stringbean," Hank greeted with a smile. "How are you feeling?"

"I'm doing alright," I answered, "all things considered."

"That's good to hear."

The Sargent squinted over at my brother at that moment. You could see what he was about to say even before he said it.

"Adam, do you mind if I talk to your sister alone?" Voight questioned.

You could tell by the sound of his voice that it wasn't really a request, more like a demand. Of course, my brother heard it, just like I did, but he wasn't going to go away that easily.

"Voight," Adam muttered, looking at me and then back at him, "I can't leave her."

"It's fine Bubba," I told him taking his hand. "I'll be safe with him. He won't let anything happen to me."

Adam looked back down at me, and I could tell he knew I was right. He sighed and bent down to gave me a kiss on the forehead. I watched him leave my room, but once he was gone I turned my attention to Hank, who took the seat right next to me.

"What did you want to talk about?" I asked.

"I'm pretty sure you already know kid," he answered, "and I'm hoping you'll be truthful with me about it. I know you wouldn't be if you brother was around."

"Ask away then. There is no reason to lie. I'm also pretty sure you already know the answers to your questions."

"I do, but I still need you to tell me."

"I know."

"Good now… who did this to you?"

Hank let me take my time; he knew this was hard for me. I glanced down at my hands, searching for the words he needed to be said, even though they should be easy enough to say.

"Clay," I finally whispered. "Clay Lowell did this to me. I had just got home from having a girls' night with Erin and Kim. Jay had dropped me off at the apartment, and walked me in. I guess Clay had been at Molly's and saw I was with him. He beat me home and…"

"How did he get in?" Hank asked, saving me from finishing.

"He had a key."

"How did he get one?"

"I don't know. He didn't tell me."

"Has he been in your apartment when it was locked before?"

I didn't want to answer that one, but I knew I had to; I told him I wasn't going to lie to him. There really wasn't any reason for me not to be truthful to him. He must have been thinking the same thing because he was the one to break the silence.

"You told me you were going to be truthful," he reminded me.

"I know," I agreed.

"Then answer me. Has he been in your apartment when it was locked before or not?"

"Yes, he has."

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"I was trying to handle it myself."

"Well that didn't go very well did it."

It was silent again, and I could feel him staring at me up and down. I was still looking away from him. There was no way I could look at him right now. Part of me was ashamed that I didn't go to him in the first place.

"I think you're hiding something from me," he finally stated. "There something else. What is it?"

I looked up at him and I could see the tears starting to pool in my eyes. There was no way I could keep this from him anymore. I just had to tell him.

"He said if I told anyone," I sobbed, as the tears began to fall down my cheeks, "he'd hurt them, or he'd kill them. I just couldn't let someone get hurt because of me."

"And why is that?"

"I'm not worth getting killed over Hank."

"Don't say that Stingbean. I know a lot of people who would anything for you because you mean a lot to them. Me, being one. I know it's not all your fault this happened. I should have checked in on you, but I just got busy. It's just as much your fault as it is mine."

"None of is your fault. I–"

"Don't say anything more. I'm not going to argue with you over it. We both have a part to play in this and that it. Now I'm going to head out. You need to sleep."

He got out of his seat and stared down at me. There was a small smile on his face and I returned it. I don't know what I would do without Hank Voight. He really was a good man.

"There is one more thing," Hank muttered.

"And what's that?" I asked.

"I spoke to your boss and got you some time off. You need it."

"How much time off?"

"As long as it takes to get this guy in cuffs."

"I have a feeling there is something else I'll be doing."

"There is. You'll be coming into work with your brother. You'll be helping us with this new case we're working on. We need a new set of eyes. Mostly you'll be working with our tech guy Mouse. At least we'll be able to keep an eye on you and don't say anything about it Stringbean, it's an order."

"Whatever you say Hank."

"Good. Now get some sleep. You need it"

"Thank you."

"No problem kid."

Then he left without another word. He must have been right about me needing sleep because it wasn't long after he left my eye started to get heavy. That's when the darkness took me over once more, and I was dragged into a dreamless sleep.

~J&M~

A few days later I was still in the hospital; the doctors wanted to make sure everything was healing smoothly for the most part. I also think my brother had something to do with it. Considering my aslant hadn't been caught he wanted to know where I was at all times, even though I would be going to work with him just as soon as I was able to do so.

I mostly slept; I was still so tired after my attack. Of course, I had visitors, which consisted of Erin and the rest of the Intelligence Unit, along with Kim and her new partner, Sean Roman. Hell, even Trudy came to see me, and she brought me flowers. She looked like she was really worried about me… they all did. The only person who didn't show up was Jay, and I didn't understand why. I didn't have my thoughts about that, but I decided to wait a little longer.

On the third day of me being in the hospital, I was woken up by my brother's phone going off. He quickly silenced it, and I about got back to sleep, but was soon interrupted by his phone going off again. I groaned and opened my eyes to look over at Adam. He had an apologetic expression on his face, before he answered it phone.

"Hey babe," he greeted. "I can't talk right now."

I narrowed my eyes at him angrily. So, I couldn't have just a few days with my brother without her calling him around the clock. I was surprised that she let him have this much time with me.

"I'm with my sister," Adam muttered softly.

Crossing my arms over my chest, I held back a hiss of pain. My sibling new I was angry just by looking at my face and body language. I could hear her practically whining on the phone to come be with her.

"I know we have wedding details to go through," he told her, "but I have to be with my sister right now."

"Oh for god sakes," I growled angry, "just go and talk to her outside. I don't want to hear her whining on the damn phone."

He wanted to protest, but he bit his tongue when he saw the serious look on my face. After one last glance at me he got up and walked out of the room. I could feel tears behind my eyes and I closed them until the prickling sensation went away. When I opened them, Jay was standing in the doorway, with a small smile on his face.

"Hey," he greeted.

"Hi," I whispered. "I thought you weren't coming."

"I couldn't stay away from you even if I tried Grace. Of course, I would have been here sooner, but your brother wasn't too keen on letting me come and see you."

"Why am I not surprised?"

He walked over to me and took the seat by my bed. The smile was still on his lips and I couldn't help but return it. After my brother's phone call, this was exactly what I needed. I could tell him how happy I was to see him right now. He would never know how much me made me feel safe. For some reason, he was the only person to make me feel so protected.

"What made you come here today?" I asked.

"I've been here since I heard you were in the hospital," Jay confessed, "to be completely honest."

"I wouldn't want you to miss work because of me."

"I didn't, but I did come here as soon as I was done for the day. I was hoping Adam would leave and give me some time to sneak in."

"I guess your patience won out then."

"I guess it did."

Without thinking I turned my hand over, and without hesitation he took it. He brought it up to his face and kissed the back of it. Warmth spread throughout my body like it always did when he touched me. We sat there in a comfortable silence for a while, just staring at each other happily. Then his warm blue eyes got serious. I knew something unpleasant was about to be said.

"My heart stopped when Will called me," Jay sighed. "I came here as soon as I hung up. By then your brother was here and the doctors wouldn't tell me anything. Even my brother couldn't tell me anything, and he usually does. It was so frustrating."

"I'm sorry," I muttered.

"There is no reason to be sorry."

"I didn't mean to put you through that."

"It's not your fault. You didn't ask for this to happen to you."

"It kind of is."

"Why do you say that?"

"Because… because I knew who did this to me.

I looked down at our hands, which were now laying on the bed. Jay let me take my take in telling him what really happened. Somehow, I couldn't find the words to say things that should be easy to say.

"You don't have to tell me Grace," he whispered.

"His name is," I began slowly, ignoring him, "Clay. He has been stalking me for a year or so. I had just found out recently. My brother didn't believe me so I thought no one else would. Plus, at first I thought I could handle him, but then he started to get violent. I finally told Hank, but I never got a chance to update him.

"Somehow, he found out and he showed up to my house. He told me if I told anyone that someone would get hurt. Then he saw me with you. He told me if I were to been seen with you, then he would do something to hurt you. I couldn't let that happen."

When I turned my attention back to Jay tears were streaming down my face. The expression on his face sad, but understanding. He took his free hand and put it on my face. I leaned into his touch, enjoying the feeling of his skin on mine.

"I won't let him hurt you again," he muttered. "He will never touch you like this again. Hank and I will find him and we will put him away for a very long time. I promise."

"You have this big case to solve," I stated, "that's too important to be on the back burner to finding a stalker."

"Your important too. I know you don't see it, but I do, and I will show you just how important to me you are."

My eyes were wide as saucers, and I searched his face for any signs that he was lying. He was looking me in the eye as he spoke so he couldn't have been lying… or at least I hoped he wasn't. I was about to tell him I believed him, but never got the chance to speak.

"What in the hell are you doing here?" my brother growled from the door.

Jay turned around to glance in the direction of my brother and my attention was pulled to him. He looked like he was going strangle the man beside me. I was just as angry was Adam, because he had no right to be mad at Jay. At least someone seemed to care about me and nothing else.

"I want you out of my sister's room right now," Adam ordered.

"Don't you dare start anything here Adam," I snarled. "You have no right to kick him out of here. It is my room as you said and if anyone should be kicked out of it, it's you. Jay stays. You can get out of here right now. Go be with Wendy! She's definitely more important, considering you had to take her damn phone call."

"Roe, I–"

"Get out now!"

He wanted to say more I could see it in his eyes, but I glared at him with just as much intensity. I was going to bring a nurse or even security to get him out of here if I had to. Thank god, I didn't have too; after a few more seconds of the staring contest Adam soon stomped out of my room, and left Jay and me alone. We sat there in a comfortable silence for a while; he had turned back around, taking my hand into his once again. He was proud of me, I could see it in his eyes, and he had a smile on his face.

"You know," he said breaking the silence, "you didn't have to do that."

"Yes, I did," I muttered. "He needed to know he couldn't run my life. Plus, he had better things to do."

"Which is?"

"He has to plan a wedding with his precious fiancée."

"I'm sorry."

"Forget about it. Not your fault."

"I know, but he shouldn't do the things he has done. I feel bad for the hurt I have caused you. He should too."

"I already forgave you for that."

"Yea, but that doesn't mean I don't still feel guilty for it."

I smiled tenderly at him; he was such a sweet man. I was glad I had him back in my life. Who knows what I would do without him. Just then my eyes started to get heavy and I let out a yawn.

"You better get some sleep," Jay informed me.

"Don't leave," I breathed.

"I'll stay here for as long as you need me. I'll be here when you wake up."

"Promise?"

"I promised."

He sat up from his chair to kiss my forehead, then sat back down and made himself comfortable; my hand was still in his. The heaviness in my eyes got stronger and I slowly started to fall back into the darkness. The last thing I heard before I was completely out, was him whispering his nickname for me, and then I was gone to the world.