Rose stood in the living room, her body hidden by the heavy curtains hanging in the window. She smiled as she watched her mother with the man she loved. Rose didn't regret for one moment that she had persuaded Luke to call Gungellan. He had been very reluctant at first but after Stevie had lost the baby she had told him there was nothing else they could do. They needed help and they needed someone they could trust.

She didn't like seeing her mother so hurt and scared. When she had first come to live with Kane and Stevie, Rose had been happy. It had been just like she always imagined. Luke was so kind to her and Kane had been so in love with her mother. At least she thought he had been. After Kaleb was born and Stevie's attention was split between husband and son it was then that Rose had seen the jealous, restless nature in her step father. But unwilling to cause her mother grief she had kept silent. And for almost two years she did. Then the bruises had appeared but Stevie had laughed them off, saying she was just getting clumsy.

Luke and Rose had bought the stories for a few weeks but then they had heard the screams in the middle of the night. Luke had wakened Rose and under the cover of darkness they had snuck Kaleb out of the house and into the small shack close to the boundary of Camelot. Luke had left her there with her brother while he went to see what was wrong.

That had been the longest night of her life. Kaleb had slept through the whole thing, leaving Rose to pace the floor, dreading the morning, the night and the images rushing through her mind. Stevie dead, Kane laughing in a drunken state, Luke dead, and blood, always blood.

If she had known what was truly happening in the house she would have run, far away. She would have taken Kaleb and left.

When Luke came back the dawn was just breaking the darkness of the night. She could see that he was shaken so she didn't ask any questions, just gathered her sleepy brother and followed him back to the house. When they reached the house, Luke had asked her to stay outside. She had frowned but obeyed while he took Kaleb inside and then came back.

It had taken him almost thirty minutes to tell her what had happened. When he finished she had cried and he had held her close. So close she could feel the beating of his heart against her cheek. And that was when she knew she loved him. Only minutes later he had leaned down and kissed her. And whispered those three words that made her feel strong, the words that told her they would make it through this.

"I love you, Rose."

She startled out of her thoughts as his arms wrapped around her. He nuzzled her neck and kissed her shoulder.

"I love you, Luke Morgan," she whispered. "Don't ever let me go."

"I won't," he promised. "And I'll never hurt you."

It was a strange ritual, these words. But ever since that night they had said them to each other once a day. She knew her mother's fears. That Luke would hurt her like Kane had hurt Stevie. But Rose knew deep down inside her that Luke could never be that cruel. He would never force himself on her, not like Kane had on Stevie. Kana hadn't been conceived in love, but in the heat of a jealous fit.

Kane had seen Stevie talking and laughing with Henry. Instead of talking to his wife about what he thought he saw, Kane had let the anger fester inside of him until he couldn't help it. After waking Stevie from a much needed sleep and accusing her of cheating he had pounced and tore into her body.

When Rose had seen her mother the next day she couldn't believe it. Both Stevie's eyes were black and her lip was split. Bruises marred her mother's arms and ribs. She had begged Stevie to leave that day, but Stevie refused. Kane had disappeared by then and she said he wasn't coming back.

But nine months later he did, just in time to name his daughter. With tears rolling down his cheeks he begged Stevie's forgiveness, swearing he would never hurt her again. Stevie had believed him and allowed him to come home.

For eight months things seemed okay. Stevie was almost happy again, at least she smile more. Kane helped out on the farm, spent time with his son and daughter and his wife. And just as Rose was beginning to think it was going to be alright this time, the car appeared. And the bank account was empty.

Then the drinking started and the bruises reappeared. Stevie hadn't told her about the baby until the day of the fight. Unable to stand another day of this abuse, Rose had snuck out to the shed to look at this car. She knew a little bit about cars from hanging out with Luke. She knew enough that when an engine was out of a car and the serial number was ground off it meant trouble. Her mother's husband was running a chop shop.

She had confronted him about it and that was when he had started in on Stevie. He had accused her of telling Rose what he was up to. Stevie had told him that she didn't even know what he was doing. Kane had thrown her against the wall of their bedroom and stormed out of the house. Rose had been out in the yards when she saw Kane storming off. Something inside of her told her something was wrong. She had raced inside but it was too late. The baby was gone.

The next day she had persuaded Luke to call Gungellan. And now she was watching her mother with the man Stevie had always loved. And it was perfect.

"Tell me we'll be like that," she whispered, leaning back into Luke. "Please tell me that you will love me so much that you would fly halfway across a country to rescue me."

Luke spun her around and gripped her shoulders in his strong hands. "I'll never have to come rescue you, Rose. I'll be right with you for the rest of our lives."

Rose rested a hand on his cheek. "I know you think that but look at Stevie and Alex. He had to come rescue her. What if something happens to us? Will you come get me if I need you?"

He nodded before pulling her against his chest. His heart was pounding like a drum in a military band. She pressed her hands to his back and held him tight. She didn't realize how much it scared him to think about losing her and now she was sorry she had even brought the subject up.

"I'll always come to you when you need me, Rosie." He buried his face in her hair and she could feel the fear leave his body.

"Thank you," she whispered. "I love you, Luke Morgan."

He didn't reply. He simply leaned down and kissed her, deeply, with all the passion she knew he had. And it was enough for her.