Last time we saw Ellie:

"Brace yourself. It's Thomas."

Nervously, I opened the door. I yelped as a fist flew toward my face. "You little witch!"

"Tom, please." I heard myself beg. "No."

Alice spoke then. "Ellie, do you want us to leave?"

He finally noticed the couple standing behind me. "You're safe this time, witch," he whispered into my ear. As he pulled away, he kissed my cheek.

I suppressed a shiver of fear. What was that for? I wondered. They heard him.

"You okay?" I could see through the look of concern on his face. "Do you want me to take you to a doctor?"

Just go away. Please, just walk away.

"Liz," he said, using my father's name for me. "Can you hear me?"

"I'm fine," I lied. I'm just scared for my life. For my baby's life. I put my hands behind my back and clenched my fists. GET OUT!

"Ellie," Alice said, louder. "Do you want us to leave?"

I heard Jasper hiss from behind me. He was losing his CIA type cool. "I'll be fine," I repeated. Then, without thinking, I continued. "It's safe, Jasper. I'll call if I need anything."

Both Alice and Jasper looked at me with sudden surprise. Apparently, Alice hadn't seen this one coming. Sorry, guys. This is my battle.

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"WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?" he screamed. "STUPID GIRL!"

I cowered. So much for my backbone. "I don't know," I whispered.

"WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY?" I flinched. "ANSWER ME!"

"I don't know," I said, louder. "I don't know what I was thinking. Alice and Jasper are my friends."

"Friends?" he snorted. "Who'd be friends with a worthless little slut like you?"

"I don't know," I whispered again, dipping my head. "Please, stop yelling. Please." I wrapped my arms my chest. "Please, you're scaring me."

He chuckled. "Am I?" I nodded, feeling childish. "Good. Now." He grabbed my chin and forced me to look him in the eyes. "What do you say?"

"Sorry," I whispered, closing my eyes.

"Open them," he whispered.

The events leading up to the night three months ago played over in my head. I couldn't block them. I closed my eyes tighter, trying to fight the memories and tears.

"Your eyes," he whispered again. "Open them."

I opened them, shaking with sobs. "Please, no."

We were both startled by footsteps on the stairs. "Drat," he hissed. As the door knob turned, he pressed his lips to mine, moved his hands to the small of my back.

Lucy gasped and then laughed. "Oh, I'm sorry, Tom, Yo'el. Am I interrupting?"

He let me go and stepped away. "Of course not, Mom. Liz?" His glare warned me to be careful.

I blushed. "No," I stammered. Thank god for nosy step-mothers.

Lucy clapped her hands. "This is marvelous!" She was practically bouncing. "I wish you would have waited until you were older, Yo'el, but…" she squealed with delight, and ran over to give give me a hug. "I'm going to be a grandmother!"

"Mom," he sighed. "Don't squeeze her to death."

Yes, please stop her. Killing me is your job, after all, I thought, darkly. "It's okay."

"I can't believe you two are in love," she oozed.

We're not. Why did I let Father drop the charges? I hit myself in the forehead.

"Oh, Liz," he said, talking the 'concerned boyfriend' part. "Don't hurt yourself over this. It's just as much my mistake as yours."

I started to cry again. Why am I the only one who can see past his façade? What if he hurts me again? Oh, Luke, I wish you were here. I sat on the floor, crossing my legs. "I'm so stupid." Why didn't I ask you to stay?

Lucy sat beside me, wrapping her arms around me. "It's okay, Yo'el. You're allowed to be sacred of this. I was sacred when I first found out I was going to have Tom."

My breath was shaking. If only she knew what I was really frightened of. That would wipe that stupid, sympathetic smile off her stupid, demented, plastic face.

"Liz, darling," he whispered, the malicious in voice almost undetectable. He knelt on the other side of me. "Mother," he continued, louder. "I've got her."

"Are you sure, Tom?" He nodded. "All right. Yo'el—I mean, Liz, if you need some help; don't hesitate to call. I'll be right down stairs." She lightly kissed my cheek. "You take care of her."

"She's in very good hands, ma'am." Once she was out of the room, he leaned back down. "Get up, slut," he hissed in my ear.

Oh, shoot! I stood and cringed, waiting for a slap. Why didn't I see this coming?

"Good show." He clapped three times. "I see I've taught you something valuable after all."

I exhaled, and nodded, relaxing my defensive position. You can go away now.

"Let's see if you can put those acting skills to a better use." He pushed my hair away from my tear-streaked face.

What? I grew tense again. No. No way. He can't mean…?

He chuckled. "My dear, sweet, little, Liz."

"No way," I whispered. Please, no.

He grabbed onto my chin again. "Say it."

Huh? That was not what I was expecting. "Excuse me?"

"Say it," he repeated, whispering. "Four little words. Say them like mean them. I love you, Tom." He said those last words right into my ear. "Say it!"

I HATE YOU TOM! I screamed in my mind. I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU!

He chuckled again. "You remember what I can do to you, right, baby?"

"Your mother's in the house," I whispered back. "You can't hurt me until she leaves."

"I'll take you to my place," he hissed back. "I've been living on my own since you came back." He tightened his grip on my face. "Say it!"

I tried to shake my head, but his gripped tightened. No. I will never sink that low.

"You won't be so lucky this time," he threatened. "I have the resources."

I gasped. "You wouldn't get away with it," I lied. Oh god. I'm going to die. I hung my head in defeat.

"That's better," he chuckled. "Now, say it and then kiss me."

I wanted to vomit. I can't believe I'm going to do this. "Tom?"

He let me go, a self-satisfied smirk on his face. "Yeah, baby?"

"Tom," I said, again. "I—" I gulped. Come on Ellie, I ordered myself. Do it for Edric. "I love—"

He nodded; his smirk widening. "A little louder. Make it so my mother can hear."

I took a deep breath. "THOMAS ANDERSON, I LOVE YOU!" I sank back to the floor, sobbing. I'm so weak.

He leaned over me. "Aren't you forgetting something?" He brought his face closer. "Do it for our baby." He had found my motivation. My Edric.

I got on my knees and softly pressed my lips to his. "There. Are you happy?" He laced his fingers into hair, keeping my face that distance from his.

"That wasn't so hard, was it?" he whispered, kissing my ear.

That, of course, triggered another flash back. Shaking my head, I fought it back. Stay on his good side, Ellie.

"I love you, too, Lizzie," he said, louder. I looked over my shoulder. Cole was standing in my bedroom door way, furious.

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"GET YOUR HANDS OFF MY BABY!" Cole screamed.

For the first time, Tom looked genuinely concerned. "Please, Cole, let me explain."

"NO!" Cole pulled him away from me. "DO YOU THINK I CAN'T TELL WHEN MY DAUGHTER'S LYING?!?"

Tom continued to step back towards me. "Mr. Winters, sir, I don't think she was lying."

"ARE YOU TRYING TO MAKE A FOOL OUT OF ME, BOY?"

Yes! I rejoiced internally. Go, Dad!

"YO'EL!"

Ah, crap! "Yes, sir?"

"I'm sorry; I didn't believe you."

"Pardon?" Was my father apologizing? Okay, when did the aliens invade?

He had turned back to Tom. "NO ONE KNOCKS MY DAUGHTER UP WITHOUT HER, OR MY, PERMISSION! WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO SAY FOR YOURSELF, BOY!?!"

Tom mumbled, and scratched his head. The nineteen-year-old looked at me, wanting me to jump to his defense. He was completely powerless around my six-foot-seven father.

I shrugged. "Sorry, darling."

"WELL, BOY? I'M WAITING!"

"It's better to ask forgiveness than permission?" He tried to laugh but it just him sound frightened. He cowered, shaking.

He was almost on the ground, covering his face with his forearm. "This can't be happening," he whispered, barely loud enough for me to hear. "He's going to kill me."

I recognized the look on his face. Pure fear. I bet I look like that to him. My father wound up to punch Tom. Do the right thing! I told myself. "Daddy, don't do it!"

Cole froze. "Stay out of this, Lizzie."

"It's my baby," I replied. "Tom may have forced this on me, but that doesn't change the fact that I'm going to be a mother. Please, I think I can handle this. Close the door behind you."

He glared at Tom one last time. "I'll be on the other side of the door if you need me, Baby."

My heart wrenched slightly at the pet-name. He really does love me! He really does love me! I repeated over and over.

Tom sighed in relief. "Thanks, Ellie."

I snorted. "This doesn't change the fact that you—" I gulped. Come on, Ellie. "This doesn't change the fact that you raped me."

Tom's face sunk. "You still don't understand." He reached out, wanting to touch my arm.

I shook my head. "You wanted control," I replied. "I get that. Our parents' marriage was out of both of our controls. I was the only thing you could control. And believe me—" I paused for effect. "If you hurt me, or my baby, again, I will let my father drag your sorry arse to jail."

He nodded, carefully stepping backwards. "Whatever you say, Yo'el."

"Now," I whispered, slowly and calmly. "Get out of my room."

He ran out, looking back at me. "You're crazy."