So, here's the next chapter of Black and Blue. Sorry for the wait, hope you guys like it. Please let me know what you think, reviews are highly appreciated, they really make my day. Enjoy (:

While Norma was in the examination room being taken care of, Alex sat and waited for her.

His cell phone rang in his pocket, he rushed to answer it, not wanting to disturb the other waiting room patients.

"Sheriff, we got him" Deputy Lynn said, accomplishment soaking her voice.

"Where is he now?" he asked professionally.

"We're holding him until we can schedule a court date" she informed him.

"Okay, I'll be there tomorrow to talk to the judge, and I'll have a police report done tonight" he claimed, his eyes transfixed on the examination room door.

"Yes Sheriff" she said, hanging up.

Alex was relived that Caleb was behind bars, he couldn't touch Norma anymore.

Suddenly, Norma exited the room and stood by him.

He rose immediately, taking her in his arms, slowly swaying her back and fourth.

The doctor stood behind Norma, piping up making them break the embrace.

"Sheriff, may I speak with you?" she asked gently.

"Of course. Norma, I'll be right out" he reassured her, dropping a kiss on her delicate skin before following the doctor into the examination room.

Once she closed the door, Alex was ready to ask a plethora of questions.

"How is she?" he asked anxiously, fiddling with his hands.

"Well, she had a lot of abrasions to her skin and she's been raped several times. I didn't take any samples because you informed me earlier that you already found her assailant" she explained, looking over the medical forms.

"Will she be okay?" he asked, a pair of worried, watery eyes watching her.

"She's going to be fine. I gave her some medication for the pain or soreness she will feel. I also recommended some wonderful counselors for any emotional suffering she may face. Right now, I would instruct you to make sure she's comfortable for the next couple weeks, talk to her about what happened if she lets you in on her attack. If she needs any more assistance, she can come back here or call me with the number I gave her" she said, handing him a pamphlet with a list of helpful therapists and emergency numbers.

"Thank you, doctor" he said, shaking her hand.

He turned and left, making his way back to Norma.

"Hey sweetie, ready to go home?" he asked sweetly, rubbing her lower back.

"Yes" she answered quietly, taking his hand as they walked outside.

"Alex? Can I ask you a favor?" she wondered, her eyes still big with fear.

"Anything baby" he answered, stopping abruptly, looking at her with full attention.

"Will you stay with me tonight?" she begged, clutching onto him.

"Of course. I'll stay with you for as long as you want"


Alex was relieved when he finally got Norma home and set up in her room. He was pleased to see she was resting in bed, dawning her most comfortable pajamas. Despite seeing her semi-relaxed, he felt pain shoot through him whenever she moved or twisted in bed and she scrunched her face up in pain. He knew it was from the numerous attacks. Her medication wasn't doing much for her at all. He watched her as she made the agonized facial expression once again.

"Hun, do you want me to call the hospital...maybe get you some stronger meds?" he offered, pulling on one of his famous black t-shirts.

"No, the doctor said it might take longer for the medication in the pills to work" she explained, putting her hair in a ponytail.

He nodded and walked towards her bed, crawling in and looking into her eyes. He reached out to tuck a loose strand of hair into her elastic.

She put her hand on his, gripping it securely, a small token of appreciation was all she could manage. Alex savored her soft touch.

Alex moved closer to Norma, entwining her in his strong arms. At this moment he wanted nothing more than to make her feel safe and sound.

All she could do was curl up in his arms, thankful for his hold on her. She wasn't sure what she would do if he weren't there today. Norma knew for sure she wouldn't be alive, Caleb would have killed her. She couldn't began to comprehend what had happened that day. When it was happening to her she kept thinking it was some fucked up nightmare. The more Caleb pinned her down, raped her, and yelled profanities in her tear streaked face, the more it became apparent to her that it was happening. After constant years of fear and looking over her shoulder, Caleb came back and was ready for some kind of twisted revenge for leaving the house, hiding the fact that she was pregnant with his son. What was she to do? Tell everyone, including her absentee mother and hard drinking, abusive father, that she was knocked up with a baby, something that's supposed to be beautiful, but in her case, a product of countless rapes that she endured for years from her own brother? Once Norma skipped town with John and an unborn Dylan, she knew there was no going back. The feelings of hostility and hatred towards Caleb had never changed, except when Dylan was born. When she held him for the first time, a beautiful, squealing newborn, she felt a love she never had before...all hatred and animosity towards anyone and everyone drifted away. Dylan was her whole world for the remainder of her teenage years, the good years where Dylan would actually need her, call her mama, and give her hugs for no reason. All Norma wanted was to be happy and feel needed. With Alex holding her now, it did give her some joy. He made her shitty life better. How could she feel so good in Alex's arms but at the same time feel so dead inside? Damn that Caleb...she hoped he burnt in hell for everything.

She dug her head deeper into his chest, the smell of his cologne incredibly comforting to her.

Norma still felt intense pain from the numerous attacks she received from Caleb.

Alex looked down on her, she seemed like she was ready to drift into sleep.

"I love you" he whispered, watching her eyes flutter closed.

"I love you too, Alex...so much, you have no idea" she proclaimed, sadness still apparent in her voice.

He clutched her tighter to him. At that moment, his heart swelled in good and bad ways. On one hand Norma just told him that she loved him a lot, and on another he still couldn't push Caleb and his vicious attacks out of his mind. Though he didn't want to, Alex knew he had to go down to the courthouse the next morning and tell the judge of Caleb's case. There was no way Norma would agree to face that son of a bitch in court and Alex couldn't blame her. He was ready to watch the judicial system take Caleb down, he would be locked behind bars for the rest of his life, and Norma would never have to live in fear again.

Alex was relived to watch Norma drift to sleep silently.

He leaned down towards her ear to whisper something ever so gently, so faint she probably wouldn't even hear it.

"I'll take care of everything"