Sorry for the delay in updating. For the last six months I've been away with training for the military and only recently got back. Been adjusting and trying to find time and inspiration for my stories again. So here's the latest chapter. Hope you all enjoy and thanks to those who have stuck around and waited!

A few weeks had passed since Leaf had revealed her darkest secrets to Ash and Dawn. She was never alone either since no one wanted to chance that someone was actually watching her and risk her getting back into her childhood home where Richard waited. Things with Gary were going wonderful, too. She was happy. Things were even progressing with the case so Richard and his buddies would hopefully be put where they belonged soon enough. Leaf had had to tell more of everything she had gone through and try to remember names of Richard's buddies. Yes, it was hard, but if it would finally allow her to move pass her trauma she was all for it. But the memories and retelling everything was hard and she was back to crying on those days. Yet, she was no longer alone. Gary was there every step of the way being her support and shoulder to cry on. He would soothe her when she had nightmares that relived the events or when her nightmares turned to being of fear.

It was now approaching Halloween and she was going over some ideas of what to dress up as with Gary.

"No. As much as I would like to see you looking like a princess, he's my least favorite of the princes." Gary replied to her suggestion.

Leaf scratched out that costume suggestion.

"How about Danny and Sandy from Grease?"

He was quiet for a moment.

"Which Sandy?" he asked.

"I'm not about to dress up as innocent Sandy. So the ending Sandy, in the leather jumpsuit."

She saw Gary swallow. If he agreed to this she would get to see Gary in his leather jacket again.

"Okay," he said.

"Just okay? Come on, I love that movie!"

"I mean you in a leather jumpsuit...I'm for it."

Leaf shoved his shoulder, but her cheeks were pink.

Despite everything she had been through, Gary found her attractive and wanted to be with her. They had only been official for a little bit, but she had realized she was falling for him. No, correction she had fallen for him. She would tell him on Halloween. That was when she would confess as long as she didn't lose her nerve. She had nearly slipped up recently, but had always managed to cover it up with something else. She had a feeling Gary knew what she wanted to say, but he wasn't going to push her. She wondered if he felt the same and she suspected he did with the way he looked at her. But she honestly wasn't sure if he did. He was letting Leaf be the one who had the control and set the pace. He would wait as long as she needed before he uttered those words, because he didn't want to make her feel pressured. She really was lucky to have someone so patient and understanding.

"It'll be fun. I need to get with Dawn so she can go with me to shop and then plan a time that works for her to come do my hair and makeup."

Gary smiled at her and kissed her forehead.

"I like that you're happy, Leaf."

She smiled at him and hugged him.

"It's because of you and everyone else that's helping me."

The next few weeks flew by and before Leaf knew it, it was the night of Halloween. Dawn had gone shopping with her the week prior and they had secured their Halloween costumes for the party and gotten the necessary accessories as well.

Dawn's exact words when Leaf had shown the bodysuit were: "He won't know what hit him."

Looking at her reflection now, Leaf believed Dawn's words. Dawn had worked her magic and for once Leaf felt beautiful and sexy. The leather bodysuit hugged her curves nicely. The red heels stood out against the black. Her lips were colored red, her eyes done with a natural look, and her hair curled.

"This is incredible, Dawn."

"You look great, Leaf. I mean he won't know what to do when he sees you."

Dawn was dressed as a zombie cheerleader and Ash would be a zombie football player. They had wanted to do a common costume idea, but slightly different even if zombies were common too. Plus, Dawn had said Ash was really wanting to do something with zombies.

Dawn wore a cheerleading outfit that was white and gold. The skirt itself was tattered and ripped. The top frayed. She had also splattered fake blood on her skin and teased her high ponytail.

"Gary said he's coming with Ash, but they're driving separately. So they both should be in here in about thirty minutes." Dawn said as she set her phone down.

Leaf nodded her head at Dawn's words.

"Dawn how did you tell Ash?" Leaf asked as she sat on Dawn's ottoman.

Dawn was sitting on her bed.

"Tell Ash what?" Dawn asked looking at Leaf puzzled.

"You know..."

Dawn's eyes widened. "OH!" She then clapped her hands together.

"That's huge, Leaf! I'm happy for you. And well I just told him honestly. I had a whole plan and everything, but it slipped out one night when he dropped me off after a date."

"How'd you know? Like I'm sure I know, but still...it kinda scares me in a way."

"It is scary, but it's also the best feeling ever. I knew when I realized he was who I looked forward to seeing every day, I wanted to tell him everything. I was always happy and he never failed to make me smile. I felt safe. I could be myself and never felt judged. Plus, I could see he cared for me a lot as well."

"I'm scared though cause we haven't even been official for long."

"True, but you two know one another better than anybody. You grew up together. He helped you through a huge moment in your life and he's always been there for you. It can be scary, especially when it happens suddenly and fast. But just follow your heart and you can't go wrong."

Leaf nodded her head. "He makes me really happy."

"And that's something really important."

Their conversation stopped as the doorbell rang.

"They're here! Let's see what he has to say when he sees you."

Dawn hurried downstairs to let the boys in, calling out to Leaf to take her time and make an entrance. "I wanna see the look on his face!"

Leaf laughed and shook her head. She got up and started down the stairs.

She heard their voices and she stepped off the last step and walked into the living room where they were.

Hearing the heels, Gary looked towards the door and his mouth dropped. Leaf saw his eyes travel up and down her body, but she didn't feel exposed or disgusted by it. He closed his mouth and she saw him swallow. He walked over to her and he grabbed her hands.

"You look absolutely stunning. Beautiful." he said, kissing her.

Leaf smiled into the kiss. She had to appreciate his costume as well, especially getting to see him in his leather jacket again. He looked sexy.

"You look sexy." she whispered into his ear and kissed his cheek.

They arrived at the party and found parking up the street. The bass could be heard from the distance along with laughter and screaming of drunk teenagers. Walking into the packed house, they quickly found Ash and Dawn who were in the kitchen.

"Leaf!" Dawn cried, hugging her.

A blue Jell-O shot was put into Leaf's hand by her best friend who was holding a green one.

"Bottoms up!" Leaf cried, laughing.

Leaf grabbed another Jell-O shot and took it. If she wanted to tell Gary she would need a little liquid courage in order to tell him how she felt. She knew she loved him, but she would always get scared to tell him.

Leaf also just wanted to let loose and have fun for a night. The events of everything going on was stressful. The fear of Richard and his buddies watching her scared her. Having to relive her nightmares was a lot on her emotionally and mentally. For one night she just wanted to feel like she was a normal teenage girl again and enjoy the night with her boyfriend and best friends. She just wanted to forget for a little while.

She grabbed Gary's hand and drug him onto the floor where people were dancing.

"Dance with me?"

He smiled at her and nodded his head.

... ...

Leaf danced with Dawn, glared at her used to be best friends, danced some more with Gary, played beer pong with Ash, had more Jell-O shots and some drinks. She was having a good time. A fun time which was much needed.

"Still with the nerd Oak?" Serena said as Leaf was in the kitchen grabbing another Jell-O shot.

Leaf's eyes narrowed and she spun around to face Serena.

"Want me to fight you again? You better watch your mouth. And like I've said before he isn't a nerd."

"Still I'm shocked you two are still together."

"He's the best thing for me. And I'm glad to have him and Ash and Dawn back in my life. They're the best friends and have and will always be there for me."

"You never date for long."

"Well at least I have a boyfriend, Serena." Leaf said, shoving past her.

She heard Serena gasp at her comment, but Serena was smart enough to stay away.

Leaf was scowling as she walked back over to Gary.

"Hey, what's wrong?" he asked.

"Stupid Serena and her comments." Leaf said as she took the Jell-O shot.

"Don't let her ruin your night." Gary said, taking her hands.

Leaf looked at him. "I know. She just gets under my skin."

"Don't let her. All she wants is a reaction from you. Don't give it to her."

Gary kissed her and Leaf smiled into the kiss and ran her hands through his hair. Before long the two were making out in the room, Leaf was against the wall. This was a different side to Gary and she knew he wasn't drinking anything. She loved it.

"Get a room!" Dawn cried, laughing as the two parted.

Ash was laughing.

"Sorry, she had to." he said with a shrug.

Leaf glared at Dawn.

"That was rude, Dawn." Leaf said.

"Might wanna fix your lipstick." Dawn said laughing.

Leaf shrugged. "Nah, I'm not too worried about it."

Gary's hair was a mess now thanks to Leaf's hands. His lips had red on them. She had loved every moment of it and he had even bit her lips which was something he had never done. What had gotten into him? Was it because she had ran her hands in his hair and tugged on it? That seemed to have been what caused it.

The two were now leaving the party.

"That was so much fun. I'm glad we came." Leaf said, smiling at Gary.

"Anything for you, Leafy." Gary said as he wrapped his arm around her waist.

"I still can't believe how happy I am now. And it's all thanks to you. You've helped me so much, Gar."

Leaf leaned against the passenger door of Gary's car and wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him to her level.

She had finally accepted her feelings and she figured tonight she would tell him exactly how happy she was and how much he meant to her. She had fought her feelings for so long. It was time to accept it. She was almost certain he felt the same way, especially with the way he looked at her. The way he looked at her right now.

He brushed some of her curls away from her face.

She raised up on her toes and kissed him. The two parted and kept their foreheads close together. She pulled back slightly so she could look into his eyes. She took a breath to calm herself and she smiled at him.

"What is it?" he asked, brushing her cheek with his thumb.

"I'm happy." she said, kissing him chastely.

"Me too."

She stared into his eyes. His eyes that looked at her like she was perfect. His eyes that looked at her like she was the most precious thing to him. His eyes full of...love.

"Gary, I love you."

His eyes widened slightly, most likely shocked that she had said those words. She had been guarded for so long. But he had made her able to trust again. He smiled at her and kissed her. This kiss was different from all the other kisses shared. It was slow and full of love.

"Leafy-" Gary started, but grunted and slumped forward.

"Gary!" she cried, catching him, but struggling to keep him up because he was dead weight.

She barely had time to realize what was happening and when she did it was too late! She felt a hand clamp over her mouth and nose with a cloth soaked in a chloroform. She tried not to breath in, but it was pointless as her head was slammed back into Gary's car window and she cried out, inhaling the fumes.

She felt her eyes growing heavy. Her body was growing heavy. Her arms went slack and her grip on Gary was lost.

Before she blacked out she heard the voice she never wished to hear again say: "You'll never escape again."

Please R&R