Author Note: Thank you so much to everyone who has reviewed this, and my other WR stories. It really does mean a lot to me. I found this chapter quite difficult to write but I think it's one of the ones I am most proud of, so I hope you enjoy.

Please read, and continue to review. I love hearing from my readers.

Leanne xx

Disclaimer: I don't own Waterloo Road, however sad that makes me having to admit that each time.

Part Three

Karen had had a relatively quiet afternoon with nothing out of the ordinary happening, which in itself was extraordinary at Waterloo Road. Today was one of those days where she wished she did have something else to focus on because it would have prevented her from dwelling on her argument with Rob, if only for a short while.

After he had left she'd half heartedly pulled the lunch he'd left towards her, and surprised herself by managing both sandwiches and a piece of cake. Karen was both grateful and touched by his thoughtfulness, which in turn only made her feel more guilty for the way she'd spoken to him. He was only trying to help, and though her temper was closer than ever to fraying these days, it was no excuse. She was struggling enough as it was, without alienating the only person who knew what she was going through. Karen couldn't help but to keep remembering the haunted look which had seemed present in his expression earlier. She had a feeling she had barely scratched the surface with Rob, and although she'd turned around and said he had no idea how she felt, it seemed he had more idea than most.

Sighing, she pulled a folder towards her and began to review her year 12 and 13 predicted exam grades. However bad she was feeling in herself, she couldn't help but feel a surge of pride when she saw that Jess's were amongst the highest predicted, even though she'd had her problems. When she could no longer concentrate, she pushed the file away from her and stood up from her desk. It was just after 4:30 and she'd been hoping that Rob would come and see her after school finished. He hadn't, and Karen knew she needed to find him and make things right. The day was drawing to a close and her fears about going home for the night had resurfaced. Things at home had gradually started to escalate again and Charlie's behavior was getting more and more unpredictable. It had gotten to the point where she could never tell what he was going to do next.

She picked up her bag from the floor, and grabbed the file off the desk before shutting the door and locking it behind her. Karen turned to walk away and collided with Rob, promptly dropping the folder. Her papers scattered everywhere and flustered she bent down to pick them up, her hair falling across her face and hiding the tears that had formed.

"Here, let me help you," Rob said gently, kneeling on the floor beside her and starting to pick up her sheets.

"That's really not necessary," Karen started, wishing she could hold her tongue as she said – yet again today – the wrong thing. Rob handed her the pile of paper he'd picked up.

"Well in that case I'll leave you to it," he said neutrally, although inside his heart sank. He wanted to be able to help her, but if she wouldn't let him in there was nothing he could do. He turned and started to walk away.

Karen could feel her eyes starting to well up with tears; she knew she was pushing him away but she couldn't seem to stop herself. "Rob, wait!" She called after his retreating figure, summoning her courage. He turned around at the sound of her voice. "Rob, I'm so-" The words caught in her throat and her vision became blurred.

Rob watched her crumble in front of him, and swallowing the lump that had formed in his throat went and wrapped an arm around her, surprised when he met no resistance. "Come with me," he whispered quietly. "It's okay Karen."

She let him lead her to his office, tears rolling freely down her cheeks. She didn't have the energy to keep her emotions in check anymore. Rob held out a glass of water which she accepted gratefully with shaking hands. Taking a sip of the drink, and drawing breath at the same time caused her to choke, and Rob moved behind her, gently rubbing her back. Karen shakily exhaled, finding his presence comforting. "I'm sorry," she spoke once she'd regained full coherence. "I didn't mean what I said before. I don't want to push you away; I just can't seem to help it." She finished honestly. Rob didn't speak, and Karen didn't like the silence between them. "I ate my lunch in case you were wondering."

"That's good," He answered slowly, frustrated with himself because he couldn't seem to find the words he needed. "I'm sorry I had to walk away from you earlier." Rob said ashamedly, leaning against his desk. "I didn't want to but I was angry, and it wasn't fair of me to take it out on you."

"I don't blame you," Karen said, her voice hoarse from crying. "There comes a point where we all have to take a step back from things; and it's clear that this bothers you quite a lot."

Rob felt himself tense; his eyes narrowed and Karen could see the muscles in his face clench, "Of course it bothers me," he started bitterly. "I think any man who abuses his wife is scum."

"Is it personal?" Karen asked gently, knowing that it wasn't as clear cut as Rob tried to make it seem.

He broke eye contact with her, feeling them start to water. "Karen, trust me when I say today is neither the time nor the place to be having this conversation. I will tell you about it, but not tonight. I can't." He finished abruptly.

Karen nodded, "Okay," she said softly. "I'm sorry for prying." She put down her now empty glass on the side.

Rob shook his head, "Don't be," he answered in a would be casual tone of voice. An awkward lull in conversation descended over them, and despite what Rob told her, Karen felt like she had overstepped the mark. "Do you want to talk?"

Karen shook her head, but then nodded hesitantly. "I don't want to go home," she whispered. "He's getting worse." She stopped. "For a while I really thought that he'd changed but then Bex went missing and he started drinking heavily again. He'd come home blind drunk, we'd argue and he'd hit me." She spoke almost to herself. "Lately the littlest things have caused him to lose it."

"Did anything happen when you went home last night?" Rob asked cautiously. Karen looked down at the floor and he reached out to comfort her. She shied away from him, seemingly having put her defences back up. Not speaking, she lifted up her blouse to reveal a footprint shaped bruise. She then proceeded to roll up her sleeves and Rob was horrified to notice multiple burn marks, which he knew were the result of cigarettes.

"God Karen," Rob managed, "You can't keep letting him do this to you. You need to get out of there."

She finally looked up at him, "We've had this conversation already; you know why I have to," she replied bravely. "If I were to leave, Jess and Harry would wonder why. Charlie – he'd turn them against me, and I know I'd let him, because there's no way I could ever tell them what a monster their father is." He didn't know what to say to that because he knew Karen wouldn't budge when it came to her children. He just couldn't bear the idea of her putting herself in harm's way. How much longer could she cope with that? "I should be going," She said finally. "Charlie gets annoyed when I'm late."

"Call me if you need me, yeah?" Rob answered, subdued, and not trusting himself to say anymore than that.

Karen nodded, "I will do," she answered, even though she knew she probably wouldn't. How could she? "I'll see you tomorrow Rob," she hugged him briefly before leaving.

"I'm home!" Karen shouted as she stepped into the house. "Charlie? Jess? Harry?" She called when she received no answer. Hanging her coat in the hall cupboard, she walked through into the kitchen. Jess was sat at the table, headphones in as she attempted her homework. It was no surprise that she couldn't hear her, because Karen could hear her music as clearly as if it was being played out loud.

Karen walked over to her and gently pulled out her headphones. "Hey Mum," her daughter said, offering a smile. They'd been getting on a lot better lately, and she was glad.

"Where is everyone?" Karen asked, peering over her shoulder at the essay Jess was writing.

"Out," Jess answered absent mindedly, searching 'Frankenstein' for a suitable quote to use. "Harry's with his friends, and Dad went to the pub with people from work."

Karen nodded; relief spreading through her, although she was sure that she wouldn't still feel that way when Charlie rolled in drunk at God knows what hour. "Perhaps we could have a girly night," She found herself suggesting. "We could order a takeaway and watch a film…if you want to that is?" Karen was careful not to push too hard because that had been the cause of their problems the previous year.

Jess smiled, "That'd be great," she replied, surprising them both. It had been ages since they'd done anything, just the two of them, and Jess had allowed herself to forget how much she used to enjoy it. "I just have this conclusion to write, and I'll be done. Do you want to order the food?"

"Chinese or Indian?" Karen held up the menu, for her daughter to see. For the first time in a long time, she properly smiled at the prospect of being at home. Jess gave a non-committal shrug of the shoulders, as she continued to scribble furiously. "Chinese it is," Karen muttered going to use the phone.

The evening passed too quickly for Karen's liking; they'd watched two films, 'Dirty Dancing' and 'Sweeney Todd.' It was easy to see which one Jess had chosen. Harry had arrived home halfway through the second film and they'd all squashed together on one sofa to watch the ending. As the credits rolled, both Jess and Harry could barely keep their eyes open. "I think it's about time that you two went to bed," Karen said, sitting up and switching the DVD off. "You've still got one more day of school this week."

Jess nodded, trying to get up from the sofa but struggling as she'd been sat there for so long. "I've had a really good night," she admitted, wrapping Karen in a hug.

Her mum was touched by this, and she squeezed Jess tightly as she hugged her back. "Me too," she answered. "Let's not leave it as long next time, eh?" She felt her shake her head.

"Night Mum," Jess said sleepily, pausing at the sitting room door. "Love you!"

Jess rarely showed her affection, and Karen could feel herself starting to get all emotional. "Get out of here, before you make me cry." She teased. "I love you too Jess."

Harry rolled his eyes as his sister disappeared. "Someone pass me a bucket," he muttered, sitting up. Karen chuckled, going over to sit on the sofa beside him. "Do I get a hug from you too?" She asked, pleased when he wrapped his arms around her. She placed a kiss in his hair. "Night sweetheart." Harry pulled a face, and got up from where they were sat. "I'll see you tomorrow Mum."

Karen now sat in the semi-darkened room on her own. She glanced up at the clock; it was nearly eleven and Charlie still wasn't home, but she wasn't worried, like she would have been once. She'd had a lovely evening with her children, and it reminded her of what things used to be like, before Bex disappeared…

She was broken out of her thoughts by the door opening, and then slamming shut again. She heard Charlie taking off his coat in the hall, and her heart sank as he entered the room. "Hello darling," He slurred, and Karen could smell the alcohol on his breath.

She nervously attempted to smile. "Hi," she replied faintly. "Have you had a good night?" Karen forced herself to engage in conversation, and tried to suppress a shiver when he sat down on the sofa beside her.

"It's been great," he answered, placing his hand on her knee and frowning when she trembled involuntarily. She managed another weak smile, and tried not to gag as he leaned over to kiss her. His hand came up to touch her face, and for a moment Karen froze; she started to relax somewhat when he started to gently stroke her cheek. She winced as he touched the most recent bruise. "Oh Karen, I'm a terrible husband," he rambled. "Please forgive me."

"You should get some sleep," Karen bit her lip, changing the subject. He didn't hear her though. In his drunken state, he'd slumped across her lap and fallen asleep. With a relieved sigh, she lifted herself out from beneath him. He didn't stir, and she knew he wouldn't wake up any time soon. Pulling the throw off the smaller of the two sofas' she threw it over him and went out of the room. Shutting the door behind him, she left him to sleep off the alcohol and went up to bed herself, relieved that he wasn't there with her.