Disclaimer: Bleh, see chapter 1. Song property of 98 Degrees

A quick note: Well, this is the chapter you've all been waiting for! Danny's finally going to confront Sam, and Sam's finally going to tell him what's happening to her! Yay!

Reviews: catgirlversion3.0otakufan, cutereviewgirl, Samantha-Girl Scout, Summers Rage, hamanor12.

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Chapter 9: Stay the Night

Holding you close to me

The first time

As your body moves with mine

Let the mood ease your fears

Caressing as I whisper in your ear

That I will always be the one

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Danny was worried about Sam. Two months after the incident in math class, she still looked terrible. Danny was afraid that Jeremy's beatings on her had escalated. Then again, Danny wasn't sure just how Jeremy was hurting her, but he knew he had to talk to her… and Valerie too. He could invite Sam over after school today, but Valerie needed to be taken care of now. And he knew just where to find her.

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Danny really hoped he wasn't walking in on that guy having sex with his girlfriend, but the more he thought about it, the more he found that he really couldn't care less. He opened the door to the classroom. Valerie's shirt was undone, his pants were open, and they were in the middle of making out on the teacher's desk. They were in the middle of a rather heavy petting session, nearly making Danny sick.

"Valerie, we need to talk," Danny said. It received the desired effect. Both people jumped and stopped their actions. "Oh, please, don't stop because of me." Danny crossed his arms over his chest, brows raised. "After all, that never stopped you before. Did it, Val?"

"How did you know?" Valerie muttered, eyes narrowing.

"An empty classroom isn't exactly a 'new idea'," Danny muttered, using air quotes. "Anyway, I just wanted to let you know that it's over. Have fun." He left the room.

"Danny!" Valerie fixed her shirt and followed after him. "I didn't want it to be like this! You never gave me the attention I wanted!"

"Oh, please, all you wanted was sex."

"And that's wrong?" she shouted after him.

"I'm not sure, but it definitely scared the hell out of me," Danny shot back. Then he walked away.

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"I need to talk to you." Danny had finally cornered Sam after English. "Come by my place after school, please?"

"Wh-why?" She averted her gaze. "Can't we just talk at school?"

"No. This is important. Please, Sam? I need to talk to you."

"I-I thought you had a date with Valerie." She was attempting every excuse in the book to get out of this meeting.

"I broke up with her."

She finally met his gaze. "Y-you did?" she whispered.

"It's a long story," he muttered. "She was cheating on me, but that's beside the point. Will you come?"

She ducked her head and nodded. "Okay," she whispered. She glanced toward her next class. "I better go. J-Jeremy's waiting." She smiled weakly then slipped away from Danny and ran to join her boyfriend. Danny watched as Jeremy slipped an arm around her waist, and the two boys scared death glares. I know you're hurting her, and I'm going to find out just how badly then kill you, Danny inwardly growled.

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Sam didn't know what to expect. Danny didn't speak to her at all during the walk to his house, only telling her that they would talk when they got to his place. Sam rubbed her arm nervously; she hadn't told Jeremy yet that he'd killed the baby she'd carried. In fact, she hadn't told anyone. Maddie and Jack were experimenting in the kitchen so Danny led Sam upstairs. She was quiet, standing by the window, and Danny sat down on his bed. He knew she knew about he and Valerie from the way she pointedly ignored his bad.

"So… how are things going with Jeremy?" Danny asked casually.

"Fine. Why? What have you heard?" Sam whirled around then blushed and looked away when Danny fixed her with a knowing look.

"I'm not blind, Sam. I can see the way you two act around each other. I can see the bruises. I heard that fight between you two… when you ripped your backpack."

She gave a humorless laugh, turning back to the window. "Then you should know bruises are the least of my problems."

"Sam, I want you to tell me what's going on," Danny pleaded. He was silent for a moment. "Is Jeremy beating you?" he whispered.

"Beating me?" Sam turned to face Danny, an empty smile on her lips. "Congratulations, Sherlock. You figured it all out. Yes, Mr. Know-Everything. He's beating me. But like I said, that's the least of my problems." She pulled her shirt and pants off, casting them aside. "Because he rapes me too."

Danny felt his heart die in his chest, and he stared, stupefied, as the girl in front of him removed her undergarments. Danny wanted to cry as he gazed at her, stripped naked before him. There were bruises on her neck and shoulders, teeth marks darkening about her left nipple, and bruises marred the pale skin of her legs and inner thighs. Her eyes were closed, her head bowed, and she had her arms wrapped about her as her shoulders shook with suppressed sobs.

"Jeremy's always rough with me," she whispered. "The first time… I thought I would die it hurt so bad." Danny felt his dead heart crack into tiny pieces. The first time? He had raped her more than once? "I got used to it after the second time. I don't even fight him anymore because it hurts more when I do." Danny's broken heart burst into flames. This asshole had raped her… repeatedly. Sam opened her mouth to say more, but Danny had heard enough. She started when Danny's arms suddenly wrapped around her naked, trembling body.

"Oh, Sam," he choked out, burying his face in the crook of her neck. "Why didn't you tell me? I never would've let him hurt you like this." It all made sense now. The late night from Jeremy's, the fainting after math, everything. All the pieces fit together now.

She nearly melted into his embrace, clinging to his shirt as she sobbed openly. It was such a relief to know Danny still cared about her, still wanted to protect her. She felt something wet on her neck; he was crying too. He kissed the bruises on her shoulders and arms, grasping her hands in his and kissing her palms and fingers. Somewhere amidst these healing kisses, Sam felt her heart leap to her throat.

"Danny," she whispered, gazing into his eyes as he removed his gaze from her hands to her eyes.

"Yeah, Sam?" he whispered back.

She didn't say anything, gazing into his blue eyes. It amazed her that she had once thought Jeremy's eyes were like Danny's. They were nothing alike. She leaned forward, closing her own eyes, and pressing her lips to his. Danny's first response was to pull away, but her kiss was so desperate, so needing, he couldn't pull away from her. He couldn't refuse her, reject her. She was longing for love, and he would give it to her.

He took her in his arms, kissing her tenderly, lovingly. She gasped into his mouth when his hands gently squeezed her bottom, but she didn't object. Her hands slid beneath his shirt, and he lifted her up and set her down upon his bed. For a moment, she stiffed, and Danny was afraid he'd gone too far. He thought about pulling away, but in moments she was kissing him just as fervently as before.

Her hands trailed beneath his shirt, sliding it up and over his head. His lips moved to her neck, and she moaned, fingers fumbling as they moved to his jeans. Danny pulled away to ask her if she was sure, but before he could get a word out, her lips claimed his in a pleading kiss. He didn't question her again and allowed her to undress him as he kissed and caressed every inch of her. His lips moved down her shoulder to her chest, and he took her left nipple into his mouth. Her hand fisted in his hair, and she whimpered as he gently tugged on it.

His lips were so much sweeter, his caresses so much gentler. Still, the underlying fear remained, and when they finally lay flesh to flesh, her legs instinctively closed. Danny whispered soothing words in her ear, his loving hands caressing her thighs. Under his tender guidance, her legs parted once more. He nestled between them, stroking her cheek with his fingertips and whispering reassuring words. He moved forward slowly, and she moaned, her back arching as her nails dug into his back and shoulders.

Never before had she felt such utter completion, such love and overwhelming concern. Jeremy was always rough, always anxious to reach his goal. Danny was patient, pacing each thrust to drive her into a blind, lustful frenzy. How could anyone have wanted to cheat on him, she wondered? It wasn't long before she lay asleep on his bed, lying on her stomach, her dampened hair trailing down her back. He lay on his side, arm draped protectively around her waist.

He leaned down, kissing the mark he'd left on her shoulder, darker than the fading bruises Jeremy had left on her. His desire had been to show her the passion he was sure she had never experienced in Jeremy's arms, and when she first cried out, he was afraid he'd hurt her. The second time, however, when a strangled version of Danny's name escaped her lips, he was quite certain she was in ecstasy. It wasn't long after that he found his own release. They had lain in each other's arms for a long while after, and Danny had whispered in her ear that he loved her. Sam had buried her face in his chest and barely whispered a reply back, her voice choked with tears.

Danny sighed, stroking her hair as she stirred. "I'll always protect you, Sammy," he whispered. Then he fell asleep.