(I'm sorry for the long wait, I had to babysit for a friend who went into the hospital, then we all got sick, one after another! (Taking care of THREE puking kids is NOT fun!)

Chapter Five

Realizing You Aren't Alone, and You Are Loved!

I left the church to cry and scream and just hate the world after Ivy left to get us more ice cream, my celebration had become a "stop Rachel from killing herself or someone" party, which just depressed me even more, so I took the first chance to hide when I could. When Jenks got distracted by his kids and Ivy left for more ice cream, I realized was my chance. I left the church and decided to take the bus to the park, I had my vampire boots on and my thick coat so I wouldn't be cold. I had also packed a blanket in my bag with some other things. It was enough to call Al and have him come get me and take me to the Ever-After where I'm appreciated. But, I knew I'd regret it, so I just took my CD player, some CD's, snacks, tissues.

I don't know how long I sat in a secluded spot where no one would hear my scream and call the IS, before I fell asleep.

"I've found her, she's over here!" A voice somewhere in the distance yelled.

Do they mean me? My tired and drained mind thought, to weary to open my eyes to see. But, then I felt someone kneel down in front of me and place their cold fingers on my neck. I shivered and I heard a sigh of relief. Hey, that smell is familiar... Edden?

"Rachel... thank god." The fingers voice said. It was Edden, why was Edden in the park looking for me?

Then it hit me, I was heart-broken, depressed, distraught, then I sneaked out of the church and disappeared off the map. Shit, Ivy! I opened my eyes and sat up to come face to face with a relieved and angry looking Edden.

Didn't know he cared so much... or is that just my pain talking? I sighed, not knowing anymore. I'd thought Trent had cared... and then he... I sighed again and wiped my eyes when a few tears slipped out, the look on Eddens face went from angry to pained. I mentally kicked myself for doubting Edden, one asshole shouldn't ruin my trust for everyone else.

I sighed and jumped when he actually pulled me into a hug, which was very uncharacteristic of him, it's like Ivy hugging me. But, I appreciated the love and returned the hug much tighter then I had meant to, but I guessed I needed it more then I had realized. As much as I loved Ivy, I couldn't hug her when I needed it because of her issues, so having someone actually hug me when all I wanted to do was cry and scream was nice. I don't know how long we sat there like that, or when I started to cry again, but before long I was in his arms my bag in my lap as he carried me to his car. I glanced around once and saw a bunch of FIB cars and officers, who looked amazingly enough relieved that Edden had found me. Guess the FIB cares more then I thought. Well, at least some of them do, probably the ones I had worked with before. The thought of my first jobs with the FIB made me think of Trent, at that I buried my head into Eddens chest, he sighed and kissed my head.

"I'm sorry..." I managed to croak out before my labored breathing just the thought of Trent brought on.

"Don't be... he's an asshole and I wished I'd nailed his ass to the wall when I had the chance." He said, which confused me.

He must think I mean for Trent? I sighed. "No, I'm sorry for making you scared and worried, and Ivy... she must be freaking out..."

He made a noise of understanding as he set me in the passenger seat, I missed being in his arms, the comfort he gave me, but I wasn't going to ask him to hold me in back while someone else drove. I still had my pride, if not my dignity.

"It's okay, I'm just glad you are safe. I read the paper this morning then spat my coffee all over it, as I was about to leave and give Trent a piece of my mind..." He said as he climbed into the drivers side, that made me smile, that someone was going to rip Trent a new one for me, I felt really bad for doubting him. I looked at him as he continued. "Ivy called me in hysterics, saying you had run away and was worried you do something stupid. Knowing she couldn't call the IS she called me instead. I gathered as many men as I could to come find you, I got an amazing amount of support from the FIB. I guess the newspaper did the opposite effect on most humans, made them hate Trent, instead of you. So don't think everyone in Cincinnati hates you. Anyone will a brain and a heart will side with you, not everyone will, you are in for a lot of heat..." He reached over and squeezed my hand reassuringly, never taking his eyes of the road. "But, you are not alone, and never will be. If anyone bothers you Inderlander or human you call me and I will deal with it personally." He squeezed my hand once more before letting go, I felt a flood of warmth fill me at his words and touch.

I really am loved, screw Trent, I don't need his betraying elf ass! I thought bitterly, seeing my resolve at his words Edden smiled and pulled up to the church. I hadn't even realized we were close, I was so into his words.

At once a cloud of pixies descended upon the car hovering, Edden cracked the window and they all zoomed in and flew around my head screaming my name. "Hey kids... I'm fine really..."

"You had better be!" Jenks voice yelled as he flew in after them. "Do you know what we went through?! You gone, us not knowing where you were?! Ivy was out of her mind with worry, and I mean out of her mind!"

"Jenks that's enough!" Came Ivys stressed and strained voice from the church steps. I sighed and climbed out of the car, my side being in front of the church for easy access.

"Ivy... I'm sorry, I didn't mean-" I started, but in a flash of her vampire quickness she was upon me, her arms around me, she was visibly shaking. I blinked in shock and horror.

She's hugging me? If getting my heart torn out was what it took to get a few hugs, I'd have done it before. I hesitated before I returned the hug, but as quickly as it started it it was over and Ivy was gone.

"Complicated young woman isn't she?" Said Edden from beside me, I jumped and looked at him.

"Ivy feels like emotion is weakness, and hates to let it show, let alone express it. She beats herself up hard when she lets it slip." I shrugged and walked inside, Edden followed me, which made me feel better. I didn't want to be alone with a off balance vampire who was probably furious with me. If she was anything like my mom after I ran away, when we had a huge fight. She was so happy to see me she hugged and kissed me, then beat my ass for an hour and sent me to my room. Then came up two hours later and told me why, I didn't blame her or was mad, it actually made me feel loved.

"Coffee Edden? What time is it anyways?" I glanced at the kitchen clock, and gasped when it said two o'clock. I'd sneaked out at midnight, no wonder Ivy was freaking... I'd have freaked too.

"Love some thanks." He sat at the long kitchen table, and pulled the paper over, he winced at it and turned it face down, I sighed and poured two cups of coffee.

"I've read it... at least the title..." I threw my copy on top of his and he sighed.

"Where you'd get yours?" He asked as he sipped his coffee, I sat beside him needing the closeness of another person while I had it.

"Trent brought it over last night, right before he broke my heart into so many small pieces I'm not sure there's a number big enough to count them all." I sniffled and took a huge gulp of my coffee, I knew full well it was scalding hot, but I hoped the burn would stop my tears, or at least blame it on the burn. Was this my life now? Crying every time I thought of Trent or my pain, and then inflicting real pain on myself to blame the tears on? I sighed and wished I could go back to before I quit the IS and none of this had ever happened.

Edden must have seen my resolve falter for he squeezed my shoulder. "Don't let all the good you've done for the world be tainted by that louse Trent." He snarled Trent's name, I smiled a thanks to him.

"I'm trying, but the pain is..." I sighed and just couldn't finish the sentence.

"So fresh and new... I know. But, now is more important then ever, you mind set and thoughts now will set your recovery time. Lying in bed crying for three weeks will make it much harder to recover. Now, crying for a few days will make it easier. Sounds harsh, but it's true..."

I nodded and sipped my coffee, glad I didn't burn my mouth. "Because dwelling on the pain is not healthy... I know, I was told that when my dad died, I didn't listen. This time, I will. My dad was worth dwelling on, Trent's not." I also snarled his name, that made Edden laugh.

"Good!" I took the day off to give Trent a piece of his mind, but ended up looking for you. How about we do something fun today, drag out Ivy, Jenks, do something fun. Then I can drop you off at your moms and you can cry all you want to her." He smiled, I beamed until the last part about my mom, he saw my face fall and frowned.

"My family is in San Francisco. Unless you plan on taking us clubbing in San Francisco, there will be no dropping me off at my moms." I sighed and then shrugged, I didn't want to cry anymore. It felt wrong to cry, he didn't deserve the tears I had shed over him. My tears were for worthy causes, not scum who use and betray me. "But, a day out I couldn't agree with more! I'm done crying over him!"

"Good, he's not worthy." He beamed and called for Ivy, who stepped in a second after he finished, meaning she had been listening.

"I agree, a day and night out would be excellent!" She said, all anger vanished. I was glad, I didn't have the strength for anymore pain or anger at me. Then I remembered the paper, well pain and anger from my friends that is.

"What if someone out there says something about the papers?" Jenks said as he landed on Eddens shoulder, he jumped slightly.

"Then we ignore them and threaten to sick Ivy on them if they don't stop." Edden said with a satisfied smile, Ivy was wearing the same smile, I couldn't help but smile back. Maybe it was going to be okay after all... who needed Trent when you had such great friends at your side.