A/N So so sorry it took so long but fair warning a bit of violence so if you are sensitive please be warned. Let me know what you think.
Fear of the Law
About two weeks later a restraining order had been issued, Dylan was M.I.A. and Amelia was still at Rafael's apartment and it was still awkward, at least on her part. She was so unsure what should happen next but she was scared. She had changed her phone number, again, had changed her locks, routine and anything else she could think of and she still didn't feel safe. She hadn't been able to return to her home. She hadn't said anything and neither did he, so they were at a bit of a stand still. He escorted her from the building to his apartment every night. She should have stopped it then, he was being too kind and she was beginning to feel as if she was a burden. When he had picked up on her discomfort he had asked and she had always responded in the same way. She was fine. After about the fifth time she had said this he had decided to get to the bottom of it.
She had been quiet all night, just sitting on his couch cross legged staring off into space, playing with a loose string at the hem of her oversized sweat shirt. He had left her in peace with her own thoughts for a little bit but after a while of her not moving, not responding he had enough of the waiting. He pushed aside the case file he was working on from his place on the couch next to her. Turning to face her he called her name. When she didn't respond he reached up and tugged at a strand of her loose hair, wrapping a piece around his finger as he did.
"Hey, where are you?" She turned to look at him suddenly shook from her trance. That was when he noticed the single tear running down the length of her face. He was suddenly concerned and took her face in his hands, brushing away the stray tear.
"Sweetheart, tell me what's going on in that pretty little head of yours." He knew she was struggling with all of this and knew she didn't feel safe. "And don't tell me you are fine because I know you're not. Talk to me?" It was more of a question. She seemed to gather her thoughts and then she finally spoke.
"I know I've said it before but I hate that he has done this. I hate that I'm still afraid and I hate that because of him I've become a burden. To you, to Olivia, to everyone and I hate that he is making me feel like a victim. I ha..." He wouldn't let her finish.
"Okay, okay just hear me out." He made sure she was looking at him as he took both of her hands in his. He squeezed them slightly to make sure she was with him. "You are, not I repeat, NOT a burden to anyone, least of all me. We are going to get him. He is going to make a mistake and we will catch him."
"But.. " She started to say but once again he squeezed her hands and stopped her.
"No buts." He took her in his arms pulling her to him. She seemed to fit next to him so perfectly. He tucked her head under his chin as he ran he hand up and down her back. "I have every intention of keeping you right here until we find this sick bastard. So no more talk of being a burden, okay?" She took a deep breath until she seemed to settle her thoughts. She looked up at him just then temporarily getting lost in the green eyes that made her feel so safe.
"Okay, but if you think I am, promise me that you will tell me."
"Amelia…" He said in a warning tone but she stopped him.
"Please...just promise me. I don't want anything to happen to you because of me." He looked down at her with a mix of concern and worry.
"Okay, if it makes you feel better I promise, but I'm telling you now that is never going to happen. We have some of the best cops in the city working on this and there is no way I am leaving you alone to deal with this. So please stop worrying about me. Let me worry about you. Let someone take care of you for once." She signed slightly as she finally gave in burying he head back into his chest closing her eyes.
"Okay, but just for a little while." She mumbled which earned her a chuckle as he once again wrapped his arms around her.
"Get some sleep pretty girl." He whispered as he kissed the top of her head. She didn't respond because she was already asleep. He tightened his grip on her even more sure now than ever how far he was willing to go to keep her safe. He didn't realize then just how much his attachment to her would be tested the very next day.
She had been staring at the case file for the better part of two hours with nothing new being found. Her head was starting to hurt and her vision starting to blur. She needed a break. She had set up shop at the precinct, mostly due to Rafael's urging, and she was probably in the safest place imaginable. But she was struck with the need to escape. Even just for a minute. She considered locking herself in the ladies room but figured someone would think to look for her there. She felt like eyes were on her at all times and was afraid she would snap if someone asked her if she was okay one more time. She took a deep breath and looked around the room noticing for once that there were no eyes on her. She made a split second decision that she would later regret, and grabbed her purse. She practically ran to the stairs and flew down them. She avoided the elevator in case someone saw her, and eventually made it to the street. She just needed a minute as she took in a deep breath. It felt like she could finally breath, not that she really minded the extra protection but she just needed a breath of fresh air. She closed her eyes just for a moment debating on rather to walk to the little coffee shop that was literally across the street just to grab a cup of tea, just something to settle her nerves. She was debating doing just that when she felt her phone ring. She slightly rolled her eyes knowing her quiet moment to herself was about to end. She answered with a meek hello which was followed by a sigh of relief. Seriously the man needed to relax. She did feel bad that she was the cause of it.
"Ame, where are you?!" It was a question matched with a demand.
"Hello to you too Rafael..." She started to say but he interrupted her in a warning tone.
"Amelia."
"Look I'm fine, really. I just needed a minute and I am literally in front of the precinct." She could almost see and hear his frustration as he signed again. Once again she felt bad for putting him in this position. This was one of the things that she was afraid of. Being his burden, even though he had said she wasn't. Something he voiced to her yet again. It was as if he was reading her mind.
"Is this about our talk last night?" She could almost see him run his hand through his hair as he spoke. A habit he seemed to have picked up since this had all started. She paused for a moment before she answered and when she didn't he spoke again. "Amelia, we talked about this." He added in a softer voice taking her silence as an answer. She sighed.
"I know, I just..." She couldn't finish the sentence.
"Listen, this will be over soon, okay. I just need you to stay in the phone until you get back up there." That was when she caught something in his voice. Something he wasn't telling her. She suddenly went on alert, a cold shiver running through her body.
"Rafael, what is it? What aren't you telling me?"
"I'll tell you when you get here...just get here. Please." Then he paused before he continued. "You know what, keep walking. I'll come to you." She turned to walk back into the precinct.
"Rafa..." She never got to finish because as she turned she ran right into the one person she had hoped to never see. Before she could respond her phone was ripped from her hand and she was dragged into an ally way. She never thought he would be so bold as to take her near a police station. She tried to struggle but was roughly pushed up against the wall and hand over her mouth. She was suddenly staring into the very cold, very hateful eyes of her ex. With a cruel smile on his face he put the phone to his ear.
"She's no longer your problem Rafael." He said in a cold voice. "She's mine. Always has been. Say goodbye little girl." She heard Rafael yell something in the other end of the phone but he was cut off as Dylan turned it off slamming it into the ground breaking it. She had never seen his temper this bad and all of her fear came back in full force. He was in her face and she could smell alcohol on his breath. Another new habit he had picked up since she had left him. He shoved her into the wall causing her to bang her head against it hard enough that she saw stars. She gasped as he yanked her hair back so that she could see nothing else but the crazy in his eyes. "Did you really think I was going to let you go!? Did you really think I would allow anyone else have you? You are mine and no one else's!" Suddenly her fear turned to anger, anger unlike anything that she had ever felt before. She did something that in the past she never would have. She fought back.
"I was never was or ever will be yours!" His hand tightened in her hair causing her to cry out but he stopped it by hitting her causing her lip to slit. Her survival instinct kicked in and she did just that, kicked him with all her strength, all her anger taking him completely by surprise. He let her go dropping to the ground just as she turned and ran out of the ally way and right into someone else. This time however they were welcoming arms. Rafael held her right to him as he pulled her away. Olivia and a few others had shown up just in time to arrest him. She lost track of what was going on around her as Dylan was dragged away screaming and fighting the whole way. Yelling obscenities and threats toward her still claiming she was his. She vaguely heard someone ask the question as to why he would try to grab her here of all places. She heard that the reason Rafael had sounded so worried was because he had been spotted in the area. She heard others asking if she was okay and she heard someone tell her that it was over now.
She was soon led inside the building and into an empty room. An ice pack was placed on her split lip and the ambulance was called. She still was unable to respond, still in shock. The one thing keeping her grounded where the arms that kept her anchored in place. He hasn't broken contact since he had caught her out on the sidewalk. In fact he held her even tighter if that was even possible. It wasn't until he had asked Olivia to be left alone with her for a moment that she completely broke down sobbing in his arms. He held her, kissed her forehead telling her over and over "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry I wasn't there." This only made her cry even more, clinging to him even more. This has been her mistake, her problem and he had taken it upon himself to take that responsibility.
It wasn't until much later, after his instance to get checked out at the hospital, after only suffering a slight concussion that she finally allowed herself to feel. It was past one am and she stood once more looking out at the window of Rafael's apartment. The adrenalin of the day had worn off but she was still wired to sleep. Rafael had stayed by her side, never leaving her. She could tell he blamed himself and she hated that he was doing that to himself, that she was the reason. Neither one said much as he led her through the rest of the day. Once they were back at his place he led her to the bedroom where he directed her toward the bathroom. Once she had showered, and changed she still felt raw and broken but when he pulled her too him as they settled into bed, she lying against his chest she knew she was finally safe. He didn't speak seeming to understand her desire to just be held and brushed his hand through her hair. It was a few hours later when she had awoken to find them still in the same position, his even breathing indicating that he was in a deep sleep that she final found her feet. This led her to his window where she currently stood facing the city. She wasn't sure how long she stood there frozen until she heard him come up behind her. She turned around and looked at him as he watched her with worried eyes but before she could say anything he beat her to it.
"Don't you dare say that you are fine." He said softly as he approached her and lightly brushed her lip and cheek where a bruise had formed. "Because we both know you're not." She looked up at him as a realization hit her and she smiled slightly at him.
"No, but I will be. I promise." She knew looking up at him what had escaped her most of her life. She knew without a doubt as understanding reflected in his green eyes. She knew in that moment when he finally kissed her in a way she always wanted to be kissed and she knew as he led her back to the bedroom. This was what real love was. This was something worth fighting for and before this whole ordeal would be over she would be fighting that fight. But for now she would cherish this feeling of love, being loved and feeling protected.
A/N Sooo…let me know and I am thinking one maybe two more chapters. Thanks for reading
