Author Note: Thank you to everyone that reviewed the first chapter. Your reviews make me smile. This chapter has driven me insane trying to write and I've changed it twice already, so I'll leave it as it is now. I'm not sure what I think of it. I wondered if it seemed like a pointless chapter, but the reason it's here is to show how much both Karen and Rob are struggling.

This story was going to be over in about 5 parts, however after doing some more plotting, I'm going to turn it into a full multi-chapter fic.

Hope you enjoy. Please read and hopefully leave a review.

-Leanne xx

Half Alive

Part 2

When Rob arrived at the school the next day he was surprised to find Karen's car already in the car park. It was still only early and usually she wouldn't have been there for at least another hour and a half. He parked his car beside hers, with the intention of going to find her. He made his way through the deserted corridors and stopped just outside her office. The door was slightly ajar and he could see the chink of light filtering through the crack. Tentatively he knocked on the door, leaving it a few minutes before gently pushing it open. It took him a moment to realise that Karen was fast asleep on her sofa, covered only with her coat. She looked so vulnerable, and it was all Rob could do not to go and hug her.

He sat on a chair not wanting to wake her yet; he doubted she was getting any sleep at all at home, and she looked exhausted. And so he sat there, watching the steady rise and fall of her chest, absent-mindedly scribbling on a scrap of paper from her desk. The sunlight began to filter through the blinds and still she didn't stir. Rob checked the clock and duly noted that the rest of the staff would start arriving in little over an hour. Getting off his chair he knelt down beside her. "Karen" he said softly. "You need to wake up now," he gave her shoulder a gentle nudge. She began to mutter in her sleep, and Rob gently stroked her back, "Come on Karen," he raised his voice slightly. "It's time to get up."

Under his touch Karen began to thrash around in her sleep, "No," she mumbled. "Stop it; I'm getting up… please don't hurt me Charlie." Rob froze and swallowed hard, stilling his motions, "Karen, its Rob," he said gently. "It's okay, you're at the school and you're safe."

Her eyes fluttered open and instantly filled with tears. "Rob?" She whispered. He looked down at her; Karen was unusually pale and tear tracks glittered on her cheeks.

"Hey," he replied gently. "It's okay Karen, I'm here now." Karen struggled to try and sit up, and Rob reached out to help her, silently giving her a once over to make sure she had no new injuries since last night.

"What time is it?" Karen sleepily rubbed her eyes, wincing as she put pressure on a bruise.

"Just after seven," Rob replied automatically. "I saw your car when I arrived, and I came to make sure you were okay. I thought I'd better wake you before anyone else arrives."

Karen nodded gratefully, "Thank you," she whispered, relieved that it was Rob that had found her and not anyone else. "I need to sort out my make-up." She straightened her clothes, pulling a toiletry bag from her handbag.

Rob nodded, "Right, well I'll leave you to it," he started, knowing she was embarrassed to have been found in this situation. He knew she felt uncomfortable around him and didn't want to make things worse. "Come down to my office when you're ready, there'll be a cup of tea waiting for you."

Karen tried to smile but it didn't quite reach her eyes. She thought about declining but since Rob was the only one who knew what was going on, she didn't need to hide from him anymore. "Thank you," she answered finally.

Rob left and Karen shut herself away in the office toilet; it wasn't much but it was better than having to use the one in the staff room and risk someone seeing her. At least here, it was private. She pulled out a flannel and soap from her bag and proceeded to freshen herself up after her sleep. As she ran the flannel over her face, the bruises became obvious once more against her pale complexion. With a shaking hand Karen carefully applied a fresh layer of make-up starting at her reflection in the mirror for the longest time.

When Karen made her way down to Rob's office the kettle had just boiled, and by now she was quite relieved at the idea. Members of staff were beginning to congregate in the staff room and Karen was worried about facing them for fear she'd give herself away.

Rob looked up at her as she walked in, handing her a steaming mug of coffee. "Get that down your neck," he said kindly. "I might even have a chocolate biccie stashed away."

A ghost of a smile flitted across her lips, "Thanks, but I'm really not all that hungry," Karen replied sadly, taking a mouthful of her drink. Rob took that moment to observe her closely and decided that she'd definitely lost weight recently, not that he could be surprised.

Feeling his eyes on her, Karen looked up. "Do I look okay?" She asked anxiously. "How's my face?"

"You look fine," Rob was quick to reassure her. He moved closer and pushed her hair back to examine the bruise. He could tell she wasn't wearing as much make-up today, and her injury appeared to have faded. "It's looking much better," he said quietly.

Karen forced a smile, and silence descended on them only broken by the occasional sip of their drinks. "What time were you here this morning?" Rob asked curiously; he had a feeling she must have been there a while, judging by the deep sleep she was in.

"Just after five," she answered, stifling a yawn. "I couldn't sleep," Karen fidgeted uncomfortably, which Rob didn't fail to notice.

"How were things when you got home last night?" He asked concerned. Karen's face whitened and she looked away from him, her eyes focusing on the contents of her cup. "Can we talk about this later please?" She almost whispered. "It's all I can do just to come in and do my job every day at the moment; I can't deal with anything else." She swallowed hard trying to remain composed because it had taken her a lot to admit that she was struggling. Not that she needed to with Rob, because he could see for himself how fragile she was, and it was hardly surprising given everything she was going through.

Rob nodded, knowing that he needed to have a proper conversation with her about it, but also knowing that he couldn't force her to talk. She'd only do it when she was ready. "You just take your time," he said easily. "I'll be here when you're ready to talk." He moved towards her as if he was going to give her a hug,

Karen shook her head and stepped away from him, feeling herself shiver involuntarily. "I need to go," she said abruptly. "I was hoping to have a word with Eleanor before class starts."

Rob pulled a face, "Rather you that me," he quipped, light-heartedly and the first proper smile he'd seen that day, crossed her face. "I'll see you later then." He watched her walk down the corridor, sighing as he heard her office door shut. He knew why she didn't feel comfortable around him, but he was just worried that it'd prevent her from being able to talk to him.

Lunchtime came and Rob decided to go and check on her; he'd barely seen her that morning and knew she'd had an altercation with a parent. "Is Karen around?" He asked Janeece, who was sat their idly eating a muffin.

"She's in the office but if ya want to keep ya head, I wouldn't disturb her." The secretary replied.

"Thank you Janeece," Karen's voice floated out of her office and into the reception area.

'See,' Janeece mouthed at Rob. He gave her a quick grin before going through into Karen's office and shutting the door behind him. "I heard you've had quite a morning." Rob started, "I just thought I'd drop by and see how you're doing. I even brought you some lunch because I doubt you've brought any with you."

Karen had to smile, because he was right, "Thanks for the thought, but I'm not hungry. I'll eat it in a bit."

Rob frowned, "You weren't hungry this morning either," he pointed out, and Karen guiltily looked away. "I know it's hard but you need to eat Karen-"

"What do you know about how hard it is?" Karen snapped, instantly regretting the words as soon as they'd left her mouth. Rob didn't meet her eyes, instead trained his gaze on something outside the window.

"You're right," he said, "Maybe I don't know what it's like for you but it doesn't mean I don't have a clue." Although he knew it wasn't Karen's fault, her words – the entire situation – had touched a nerve… hit far too close to home and he couldn't stop himself from feeling angry.

"Rob, I'm sorry," Karen apologized, but her pleas fell on deaf ears. "I just-" She broke off, not knowing what she was even going to say next.

"I'll leave you alone for a while," He spoke quietly, knowing he needed to take himself out of the situation before he upset Karen further. He felt guilty for it but he didn't know how to be around her, without his emotions making him act in a way he'd later come to regret. "Make sure you try and eat something, and I'll see you later."