Ok, so with a tad bit of almost harsh criticism from ElldenStorm, I went back and edited some things in this chapter because they were very true indeed. I've also decided that I'm going to stop writing so late at night because I think I just get lazy. So you'll notice I elaborated on/changed a few things. However, I will not be elaborating on the rape. Whether or not I did it justice, it wasn't meant to be graphic, nor will it ever be.
When I woke up, I was alone again. I had a blanket over my naked body and I thought this was a twisted gesture. I propped myself up on my elbows and wanted to scream at the pain that was going through my body. I had never been hit by a bus, but I'm sure the pain was comparable. I racked my brain for memories of last night, and when I got them, I only wanted them gone. How could this have happened? Gabriel was Moore was one of the sweetest men I'd ever met.
I was truly afraid. I couldn't tell anyone, or who knows what would happen to me. I groaned and put my head in my hands, letting a few tears fall before standing up and limping into the bedroom to scrub the grime off my body. Ace was laying right in front of the door, looking miserable, but unharmed thankfully. I patted his hand and trudged into the bathroom.
After I had thoroughly scrubbed my body, I took a chance and looked into the mirror. One nice bruised cheekbone and various bruises on my legs and stomach with a wonderful purple mark on my back. I sniffled a little, trying to keep the tears at bay while I dressed in a pair of jeans, purple tank top with hearts on it, and a sweatshirt with the Gotham Memorial printed across the front. I hoped that would at least cover the bruising on my body. I tried my best to cover the bruise on my face with concealer, but it didn't do much.
I finished putting on the rest of my make-up and put my dried and straightened hair in a bun, leaving my bangs and a few whispy pieces of hair down. I took two Tylenol before leaving, and after making sure there was no sign of Gabriel in the hallway, quickly locked the door and limped as fast as I could into the elevator. I sighed in relief when I made it out of the building with no unwanted encounters.
I broke down and took a cab to the hospital when I realized there was just no way I was going to be able to make it. I paid the driver and scolded myself a little for not being strong enough to get there. Taking a cab anywhere was so damn expensive, but I would be graeful for it later. Nobody noticed my bruise until I was changed into my scrubs, and then I was bombarded with questions.
"Addison! What happened to you?" a male nurse, Damien asked walking over quickly to me and holding my face in his hand examining it. I smiled and brushed him away.
"You know me, I'm so clumsy I run into everything" I said laughing nervously and continuing my rounds, hoping he would go away. He, however, was joined by two female nurses, Nadia and Susan, who also pumped me for answers.
"No Addison, we know you're un-organized and you have no sense of time or direction, but you're not clumsy" Nadia insisted as I stopped outside a door and picked up a chart. I looked at the three of them annoyed and pushed the door open revealing a recovering heart-attack patient. His name was Michael Freemond and he was forty-two years old with the personality of a fifteen year old.
"Hello Mr. Freemond. How are we today?" I asked cheerily checking his IV drop and his vitals.
"Much better now that you're here. Hey where'd you get the shiner?" He asked noticing the bruise. God I should have tried harder with that bottle of concealer. I gave him a reassuring smile before starting to change the drip.
"Oh don't you worry about me Mr. Freemond. I'm just a clumsy things" I said swapping out the bags and starting the machine again. He just put his tongue between his teeth and raised his eyebrows. I hated when people knew I was lying, I felt awkward. I smiled at him again and his own slightly wrinkled face returned the smile.
"If you need anything else, just let one of the nurses know. There's three of them right outside the door" I said annoyed that I could still see the three of the outside the door waiting for me.
"Yes ma'am" I laughed a little and joined the three nosy nurses. Nadia's dark eyes seemed to pierce right through my own bright blue ones. Her bangs and short hair looked a little puffy today and it made her look very menacing and I just wanted to get away from them. I didn't say anything, just limped past them.
I was cut off by Susan. She didn't look angry, more sympathetic. Her slender hand touched my forearm and I tried not to make a sound as she touched one of the various bruises. Her green eyes looked sad and it made me want to listen what she had to say.
"Look, you don't have to tell us what happened, but please, take the rest of the day off. You can barely walk around here, and you still have six hours ahead of you." I bit my lip and thought about this. I had plenty of sick days, and no one would hassle me if I left. I also wanted to go apartment hunting…
"Alright. I'll go home" I said giving in. The three of them smiled and pushed me toward the locker room so I could get changed. Once I was in the door, they left me in piece to get dressed, which I did very slowly since I felt even more sore than this morning. I grabbed my purse and headed out the door, feeling a little better about going home.
This was ruined however, when I saw Gabriel. I gasped and hid in the storage closet, peeking out occasionally to see if he was gone. He didn't even work down here, so what was he doing? This worried me greatly, and I knew I had to find a new apartment. Today. After he was gone, I quickly made my way out of the hospital and hailed a cab, going right to the real estate agency that got me the apartment I was in now.
I forked out more money and went into the small office. I was greeted by my previous real estate agent, Mason. He was a short and portly man, but he knew he real estate, so I trusted him.
"Hello Miss. Hughes. I didn't expect to see you here so soon" He said shaking my hand and offering me a seat.
"Well, I've had a sudden change of heart. I think I want to live closer into the city. That way I can be nearer to the hospital and everything else" I told him. He nodded and quickly typed things into the computer and printed out a couple pages of listings.
"Well, if you'll look over these and tell me if you're interested, I don't see why we can't pop over and look at them today" I took the papers from him and looked over them all putting them in a 'yes' and a 'no' pile. I had narrowed it down to two that looked like they were what I wanted. One was a loft, and one was like the one I had now. I was crossing my fingers the loft looked as good in person as it did in the picture.
"Can we go see the loft first? I think this one might be it" I handed him the paper and he nodded.
"You have good taste Miss Hughes. Let's go" We drove over in his car to see the loft, and as soon as I saw the location it was in, the condition of the building itself, and that Wendy's Wags was right next to it, I was sold. We took the elevator up and he unlocked the door, letting us in.
I was in awe. It was huge, and exactly what I wanted. It had two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a huge kitchen and family room. I grinned widely and nodded eagerly when he asked what I thought.
"Alright. Well, I think I can get ahold of the owners tonight, and maybe we can sign some papers. I'll list your apartment right away, I'm sure it won't be hard to rent out. There's a waiting list for your building" I nodded and looked out the huge window looking over Gotham. This was perfect. I was far away from Gabriel Moore, and closer to everything else.
It took about an hour, but Mason did get ahold of the owners and the papers were signed at two, and I could move in a week from that day, which would be Tuesday. I was jittery at the thought of moving, and anxious since it was so far. A lot could happen in a week. I went home and started packing immediately. Ace was going nuts with all my rushing around, but I ignored him.
I had successfully taken everything off the shelves in the family room, and had started with the kitchen when I heard the news come on.
"With commisioner Loeb's memorial parade to start in an hour, all of Gotham's police force is locking down main street. No one knows where the Joker is, or if he'll make good on his threat to kill the mayor…" I quickly turned off the TV and took my hair of the bun. After grabbing Ace and my purse, we went down town to catch the parade.
I was extremely sore after the walk down since no taxi driver would take a dog, but I was happy I remembered about this. We joined the hundreds of other people lining the streets listening to the bag pipes play mournfully for the fallen police comissioner. I let a tear slide down my cheek as the procession passed by. All these people dying was so wrong. I watched as the mayor took the podeum and began his speech, which only made more tears fall.
I flinched as the honor guard's shots rang through the air. Shot after shot rang out with no disturbance until all of a sudden shot rang from all over. Everyone screamed and laid down on the ground. I grabbed Ace and ran into the department store across the street and took cover with a dozen other people among clothes racks listening to the shots and screams. Ace whined and pushed up against my leg. I held him close and peek around the rack to look out the windows. As I was turning back around, a bullet came through the window and we all covered our heads and screamed.
An hour later, when the panic was starting to die down, I stood from my position and went outside again. Three other people followed me as we cautiously made our way into the street.
"Addison!" I turned to see Rachel running towards me. I met her half way and we hugged each other tightly.
"Are you alright?" we asked each other at the same time. We both smiled and nodded.
"Is Harvey alright?" I asked not seeing him anywhere. She nodded again and put a hand on her forehead.
"Yeah. Everyone's fine that I know of. I was so worried about you. I didn't see you after the night at Bruce's and I 've been so busy at the office, I haven't been able to get ahold of you. What happened to you?" she asked eyeing the bruise on my face. I waved her off.
"No big deal. Have you seen Bruce? I figured he would have made an…appearance." She caught onto what I meant but shook her head.
"No, I haven't seen him since the fundraiser" we both winced at another gunshot. She looked around nervously.
"Let's move somewhere else shall we?" I offered. She nodded and we walked back into the store I'd just been in.
"Are you busy right now?" Rachel asked as we stood next to the register watching the police. I shook my head.
"No, but shouldn't you be getting back to the office?" I asked. She nodded.
"Yeah, but I think they'll be okay without me for a little bit. Why don't we go get some coffe?" She asked gesturing toward the door. I nodded and we left the store cautiously. A police officer directed us to the already cleared street and we followed it until we found a coffee shop that would allow dogs.
We sat and sipped our coffee slowly while reminiscing and just catching up. I didn't realize that through all the jealousy I was harboring for her, I had really let my best friend slip away.
"Remember that one time, when you and I were in Fiji with my parents and they had the idea to go on that stupid hike through the mountains and it poured the whole way up and down?" Rachel asked laughing to the point she was almost crying.
"Yes, but that wasn't nearly as awful as the time we were in Japan with Bruce and he got our subway routes mixed up and we ended up in that neighborhood with all the drug dealers and all he could say when we glared at him was " I guess we should have learned to read Japanese before we left". I could have killed him" We both laughed loudly causing a few people to look at us annoyed.
"I think when the Joker is finally behind bars, the three of us should head up to Minnesota to see my parents. It may not be as exciting as Fiji, or Japan, but hey, we can have an adventure just like old times" I said staring at the window. She nodded eagerly.
"Definitely. Let's just skip camping. Remember last time you and I camped?" I laughed again remembering the night Bruce and I watched the home video of the very camping trip she was talking about.
"I completely agree. One camping trip in a lifetime is all you need. We're definitely city girls" She nodded in agreement and changed the subject.
"So, how are things at the hospital going?" She asked. I shrugged.
"Honestly? It could be better. It's not what I thought it would be I guess. I think I was expecting a little more excitement. Lucius was talking to me about a job in Wayne Enterprise. It may not be the rebellion against my mother that I wanted, but I'm certainly not going to be a house wife" I said drinking the rest of my coffee. Rachel nodded and raised her eyebrows a little.
"What would you be doing?" She asked signaling to the waitress that we needed more coffee.
"I'm not really sure yet. He said he's going to look into a couple of open positions and if I like what I hear, I can check it out." I opened up a package of crackers and slipped them under the table to Ace, who seemed to be getting impatient.
"So you still haven't told me what you did to your face" She said smiling knowingly at me. I thought I had gotten away with not telling her, but as usual, I should know things never go how I want them to. I again, tried to wave her off.
"I told you it's not a big deal. I was packing and when I was trying to take a bookshelf apart, I bumped my face on it. No harm done" She squinted one eye, trying to figure me out. I don't think she believed me.
\ "I don't believe you" Damn, I was good. I sighed and looked at her, silently pleading with her to leave it alone.
"Rachel, please" I begged trying to change the subject. She shook her head and leaned across the table to get a better look at it.
"Just tell me what happened, and I'll leave you alone" I sighed and before I could control myself, I blurted out the whole story. She looked absoloutley in shock. She leaned across the table and hugged me tightly and I tried my hardest not to cry.
"Why didn't you tell anyone Addy? You have to tell Bruce" I shook my head furiously.
"No. If Gabriel finds out I even told you, who knows what he'd do to me" I insisted. She looked at me like I was crazy.
"But Bruce is…well you know! You could stay at the tower until we can get the scumbag put in jail!" I sighed and stared out the window.
"I'll be okay for the next few days. I wasn't lying when I told you I was moving" I said looking back at her.
"Where? I hope it's farther away from your apartment now" She said, still not happy with me wanting to tell Bruce.
"A loft apartment farther into the city. It's only about a block over from Wayne tower" I answered. She seemed happy about this.
"I'll come by as soon as I get a free moment at the office and help you pack. If you're not going to tell anyone, we can at least get you out of that building as fast as we can. You should stay with me, or Bruce while you're waiting to move in" she said taking a drink of coffee. I nodded.
"Maybe. Actually, yeah. I'll give you a call tomorrow and we can work something out" I said liking the idea of living with my old friend for a few days.
"And if you need any help painting or anything, I can help you. It'll be like the time we painted your room" She said chuckling at the end. I smiled and thought back to the day the two of us thought we could stand on the ladder at the same time. Of course, we were wrong and our mistake resulted in an angry Bruce and a laughing Alfred covered in Princess Purple paint.
Rachel was about to speak again when her pager went off in her purse.
"Sorry" She said taking it out of her purse. I waved her off and took another sip of coffee. She groaned and threw the pager back in her bag.
"Addy, I need to go, they're swamped down there. Please call me tomorrow morning." She went to put money on the table for her own coffee, but I handed it back to her insisting it was on me. She smiled and we hugged each other tightly.
"You be careful" she insisted as she walked away. I waved as she exited the building and after a moment, I put enough money on the table to cover the coffee and the tip and Ace and I left.
It was getting dark now, and I walked as quickly as my sore body would carry me. I tried not to get too jumpy, but I nearly screamed when a kitten ran out in front of me. Ace paid little attention to it as it wove in and out of my legs. I smiled and scratched her head, but moved on. I was surprised to look back and see the little orange kitten was following us. I stopped and let the kitten hop into my arms.
I guess I just had a thing for stray animals. I looked at Ace for approval and all he did was cock his head to the side as if to say "why not?" So we took our new friend to the drug store on the way home so I could get litter, food, and treats to hold us over until tomorrow. I also asked the cashier for a small box I could use as a substitute for a real litter box, which she gladly gave me.
We took our kitty home and got her washed up, since she was filthy, and set the litter box up in the bathroom. I relaxed on the couch while I watched her make her way around the apartment smelling everything. I smiled when she found a feather boa sticking out of a box. She jumped back afraid of it at first, but attacked it when she found out it was no threat. I watched her and tried to think of a name for her. I could call her lucky, because she was lucky I found her, but that was about as original as pumpkin.
She was walking around making a strange noise with her mouth, like she was trying to meow, but couldn't. It sounded more like she was making a puffing noise. So, there was my inspiration for her name. Puff the kitten. I decided that I would have to ask the vet when I took her tomorrow why she couldn't meow. I attributed it back to some kind of abuse when she was younger. I pulled the kitten into my lap and kissed the top of her head. Ace, who was getting jealous hopped up on the couch and put his head in my lap. Puff didn't mind though, she climbed up onto his head and curled up in a ball.
Ace looked at me dejectedly and I couldn't help but laugh. I pulled the kitten off his head and put her on the floor while I went to make myself a turkey sandwich. While I was putting the cheese on it, I heard 'puff puff' coming from my feet. Puff was sitting there, waiting patiently for me to drop something. I smiled and took a piece of turkey for her and Ace and gave it to them. Ace gobbled his up in seconds, but I had to break Puff's up for her.
I ate standing at the counter watching the news for anything new on the Joker. It was everything I'd already heard, but something else caught my attention.
"Lieutenant James Gordon was shot and kill this afternoon at Commissioner Loeb's memorial parade. He had thrown himself across the mayor to protect him from the gun fire. Tonight, we mourn not only his Lieutenant Gordon's death, but the six other people that were killed this afternoon as well. GCN offers the condolences to all their families this evening. I'm Barbara Thompson; we'll see you this evening at ten o' clock."
I dropped the rest of my sandwich and stared at the TV. Gordon was dead? It was so strange to me. This man who had always seemed so…invincible…the last good cop left in Gotham, was dead. I sighed and flipped the TV off. I couldn't watch anything else about death. I contemplated what I was going to do. It was raining and dark now, which meant it would be freezing, so anything outdoors was out of the question. I knew Rachel was swamped, and I was positive any of my friends from the hospital were still there. Well, there was always Bruce. I gave in and picked up the phone, quickly dialing his cell phone number. After a moment of hesitation, I put the receiver to my ear and listened to it ring over and over, until his voicemail picked up.
"You've reached Bruce, leave me a message and I'll get back to you" It ended with a beep and I stumped over what words to say.
"Bruce? It's Addison. I just saw the news about Gordon, I'm so sorry. If you're not busy later, I need some help packing over here. Just call me back when you get this" I hung the phone up and stared at the dog and the kitten.
"Well you two, let's keep packing. The sooner we're outta this place the better. Your new home is huge!" I told them while walking into the family room. The mail caught my eye and I realized I hadn't gone through it yet. It was mostly junk mail, and a couple bills, but a letter in a pink envelope caught my eye. Only one person I knew sent letters in pink envelopes, my mother. I smiled and ripped it open revealing her neat writing across the page.
Dearest Addison,
How are you my dear? You haven't written in ages you know, and I insist that you come and visit us soon! The new house in wonderful. It's not as large as the manor of course, but this is what we wanted, something simple. I've enclosed a few pictures of it for you, and of your father and me. He's enjoying himself quite a bit up here. He's fishing every day since the lake is just a five minute drive from the house. It's so beautiful here. There are animals and flowers everywhere you look, which as you know is quite different from city life. I'm sure you're lucky to see a dandelion in Gotham! Still have that dog of yours? He must be quite old now. Your father wants to know how working at the hospital is going. You know I still don't approve of you working there, but if you're happy I guess I can't do much about it.
How are Bruce and Rachel? I talked to Barb and William a couple days ago, and they're doing well. They're still in the suburbs. I can't imagine how they stand it, but I suppose I'm just spoiled up here. Tell Bruce I saw him on the news the other day and he looks much too thin. All three of you probably are. I'll take care of that when you come and visit me. You better tell the other two I expect them here as well.
Well pumpkin, I'm on my way to start dinner now. Take care of yourself and call me soon.
All our love,
Mom and Dad
I refolded the letter and placed it on the coffee table and exhaled. I told myself that after I was moved into the new house, I would book a flight for Minnesota. I would have liked to drive, but I had no car and two animals to transport. I knew Bruce and Rachel wouldn't be able to come with as soon as I wanted to leave, but we would all go again another time.
I herded the animals in the bedroom to begin packing clothes I wouldn't need in the next week and other various objects. I also wrote down on a piece of scrap paper to remember to call the moving company tomorrow. I opened up a small box and found a stack of pictures and a journal. I thought I'd lost this box when I moved into this apartment two years ago.
I flicked through the pictures smiling sadly at a picture of my brothers Ben, Charlie, and Adam. Adam died three years ago from a brain tumor. He was the baby of the family, and I can tell you, the pain never quite goes away. There was one of Ben, Charlie, and I in a cave in Greece with Rachel and Bruce making faces in the background.
I didn't hear from my brothers much anymore. They lived about three hours from my parents now. I wasn't really good at keeping in touch with my family, and I suppose they probably hated me for it. I flicked through more pictures revealing older and older ones. I had to laugh at a picture of Bruce and Rachel playing in a giant mud puddle in our backyard. They couldn't have been more than eight years old and they both had huge smiles on their faces. The next picture included me in the mud as well with my angry looking mother and my laughing father.
A knock at the door interrupted my reminiscing and I half though about ignoring it. I sighed and put the pictures back in the box, and the box on the floor. I shut the door so the animals couldn't get out and jogged to the door. I opened the door to reveal the person I wanted to see least.
"Hey there. How are things darling?" Gabriel pushed his way into the apartment and locked the door. I glared angrily at him and went to yell but his hand clamped over my mouth.
"None of that. I just want to talk sweetheart" He said huskily into my ear. I bit down on his hand and he screamed angrily.
"Get the fuck out of my apartment!" I shrieked at him. He grinned devilishly and came after me. I tried to hit him, but was rewarded with a punch to the face. I gasped and sank to the floor with my face in my hands. He came towards and grasped my arm tightly in his hands. I could hear Ace barking madly in the bedroom.
"Now, are you going to play nice Addy?" I growled and spit in his face, leaving red liquid on him. He growled and smacked me again. I looked at him through disheveled bangs and a bloody nose. My head snapped to the left as the phone started ringing. I made a dash for it, but he grabbed my ankle and sending me onto my stomach with a thud. I cried out trying to get to the phone. Gabriel laughed a humorless laugh.
"Now come on Addy, don't you want to play with me?" I tried to kick at him but he dodged it. I was about to give up hope when I heard the answering machine kick on.
"Addy? It's Bruce. You're probably in the shower or something. I'm just a couple minutes from the apartment, so I'll just come over now. Call me if it's a problem" I grinned despite the situation at the hope of a savior.
"Too bad no one will be here when Brucey shows up. Come on darling, up we go." I screamed and kicked as he dragged me up and over to the door. He pulled him arm across my throat and I pulled at it as hard as I could to get it off. He dragged me into the hall and I tried to scream but the arm across my throat made it impossible.
In a last attempt I elbowed him hard in the stomach and he dropped me, trying to catch his breath.
"Help! Help me!" I yelled through the building. He came after me again, but I kicked at him and jammed his finger. I screamed again and tried to get up the stairs. Gabe was coming at me again, but before he could get to me, a solid kick to the ribs sent him over on his back, gasping for air. Bruce was standing over him glaring like I'd never seen him before.
"I'm going…to…sue…your ass" Gabriel gasped pointing at Bruce. Bruce just picked him up and threw him against the wall. He yelled out in pain and slid into unconsciousness. Bruce went into the apartment and called the police before coming back over to me and kneeling in front of me, looking at me sadly. He pulled me into a hug and rubbed my back soothingly. I didn't cry, but I wanted to.
"C'mon, let's get you inside" I went to stand, but he picked me up and carried me into the family room and put me gently on the couch. He winced as he could now see in full light how bad my injuries were.
He got a rag from the bathroom and gently blotted on blood from my face.
"You put up a good fight you know" He said trying to lighten the mood. I smiled despite myself and nodded.
"Yeah, I guess I did. He got me pretty good though I'd say" I said not just referring to the obvious injuries.
"Do you think you should go to the hospital?" He asked noticing a cut above my eye that looked deep. I shook my head.
"I'll be fine" I said quietly. He looked at me sadly again, and hugged me once more.
"I'm sorry I didn't get here earlier" he said quietly. I shook my head.
"Don't be sorry, you didn't know" I answered him like it was obvious. He suddenly got angry and slammed his fist down on the couch standing up.
"God I should kill that bastard" He said seething. He was starting to walk out the door when a police officer stepped in his way.
"While I'm sure that's well warranted Mr. Wayne, we need him alive to press charges against him" the young police officer said pushing him gently back into the family room.
"Now, can you please explain to me what happened?" He asked sitting across from me. I slowly recounted my tale, Bruce sitting next to me, offering comfort when it got to difficult to talk about. When the officer, who told us his name was Ted Jonas, was finished he called for back up to get Gabriel out of the hallway and downtown for processing.
He shook both of our hands and after suggesting I see a doctor about the cut above me eye, went out to wait for back up. Bruce shut the door after him, and joined me on the couch once more. I had my head in my hands not believing anything that had happened tonight.
"You should get some sleep. I'll stay here tonight if you want" He said patting my leg. I sniffled and shook my head.
"No, I think I'll be okay" I said softly. I took the cloth and wiped more blood from the cut. He nodded uneasily.
"Alright, but call me anytime if you need anything. I don't care if it's three in the morning" I nodded and stood up with him to walk me to the door.
"Thank you so much Bruce" I said opening the door to reveal no police or Gabriel. He nodded and smiled pulling me into another hug. He planted a small kiss on my forehead, and walked out the door. I got butterflies, I can't deny it. I quickly shut the door and put a chair in front of it, just in case.
I was so ready for bed at that point. I opened the door to the bedroom to reveal Ace running around crazily and Puff sleeping on the dresser. I assumed she jumped up there when Ace started barking. I patted his head for reassurance and got into bed without even putting my pajamas on and fell into a very un-easy sleep.
I woke up an hour later, hearing noises. I gripped the blanket tightly, trying to make the noise go away. It sounded like tapping somewhere, I couldn't tell where. I was so scared; I didn't know what else to do. I grabbed a jacket, slippers, and my animals, and ran from the apartment. I got a cab and went to the only place I felt like no matter what, I would be safe. Wayne Tower.
The elevator dinged when it got to the highest point in the tower, and then I had to walk up two flights of stairs to get to his actual penthouse. I was one of few people who knew where the hidden stairs were to get up there. I had to knock on the door a couple times before the lock clicked and the door opened about three inches. Then, it closed again and opened all the way.
I was standing in front of Bruce Wayne with hair all over, blood on my face, a cat under my arm, and a dog at my feet. He was standing in pajama pants and black t-shirt, looking tired. He opened the door all the way so I could come in. I stepped in gratefully, and put Puff on the floor. He led me to the kitchen and we both sat at bar stools in front of the counter.
"Are you alright?" He asked concerned. I shrugged.
"I was hearing noises in the apartment. I know it's late, or early, whatever you want to call it, but this is the only place I could think of that I would feel completely safe" I explained looking down at the marble counter top. He smiled and put a hand on my back, which caused me to flinch. He looked at confused and I smiled sadly.
"Bruise there. Sorry" He looked at me sadly, and before giving me and brief look, pulled my shirt up to the middle of my back bone.
"Jesus Addy" He breathed. He put my shirt back down and looked at me confused.
"This isn't the first time is it?" He asked angrily. I shook my head and stood up. I didn't know how to tell him what exactly happened. I felt nauseous just thinking about it. I walked over to the giant window overlooking the city and sighed. He was slowly following behind me, but didn't say anything.
"He raped me a couple days ago. That's how I got the bruise on my face" I said, tears forming in my eyes.
"What!? Addison why didn't you tell me?" He asked grabbing my forearms gently in his hands. I sobbed and shook my head.
"He told me if I told anyone, things would just get worse for me. I couldn't…I couldn't do anything" I choked out. He pulled me to his chest and let me sob into his shirt. I didn't cry for long, but long enough to leave a puddle on his shirt. I smiled apologetically and tried to dry it with my own sleeve. He pushed my hand away and smiled at me.
I laid my head back down on his chest and he smoothed my hair and rubbed my back in soothing circles. I had stopped crying, but let myself be comforted by him. He laid his cheek on the top of my head and just let me stay in his arms.
"Why wouldn't you tell me? You know I would have killed him for touching you" He sounded a little hurt.
"I just, I don't know. I was so afraid something worse would happen" I murmered quietly into his shirt.
"If you would have just told me, I would have never let you out of my sight. Especially tonight. I knew I should have stayed with you" I could tell he was getting angry at himself, and I couldn't help but feel guilty.
"Please don't beat yourself up over it Bruce. It was my fault for being to afraid to do anything about what happened to me" I insisted. He sighed and pushed me away gently to look at my face.
"I want you to promise me, that if anything bad ever happens to you again, I'm the first one you come to" He demanded in a soft tone. I nodded and stuck my pinky finger out towards him. He smiled and wrapped his pinky around mine. He directed me toward the couch, and I took a seat in the squishy tan leather.
"Do you want something to drink?" He asked motioning towards the kitchen. I shook my head and he sat next to me on the couch. He watched Puff jump on top of all his furniture and I looked at him worriedly.
"Sorry" I muttered grabbing her and placing her in my lap. He shook his head and scratched Puff behind the ears.
"It's nothing. I think I'm more of a cat person these days" He said showing that famous smile. I smiled back and put Puff in his lap. He looked a little surprised but kept her anyway.
"I should probably be going back home now. I guess it was a little foolish to come here" I said slightly embarrassed. He shook his head.
"No, just stay here. You can stay in the guest room. I'm not having another repeat of what happened tonight." I bit my lip and thought about it. I didn't want to impose on him, but I also didn't want to go home.
"I'd appreciate it, but I don't want to impose on you" I said playing with a string on my sweatshirt. He smiled again and helped me off the couch.
"Not at all. Stay here as long as you want. You know Alfred loves having you around" He said.
"Oh? What about you?" I asked as we walked up the stairs to the bedrooms. He shrugged like he was unsure and I smacked his arm lightly. He looked at me feigning hurt.
"Hey, I have a cat" He said hugging Puff to his chest. I laughed and this just seemed to make him happier.
"Just kidding. Having you here makes it feel like old times again. So, to answer your question, I love having you here too" I smiled and he opened a door down the hall from him own. He stuck his arm out to direct me in and I smiled and curtsied jokingly to him. He put the cat on the floor, and she curled up on the bed, Ace right behind her.
"Well, I'll let you get some rest now. My room's right down there if you need me" I had been looking around the beautifully decorated room and turned back to him and nodded.
He kissed my forehead again and left, shutting the door behind him. What did I do to receive such a curse, and a blessing? I had the best friend in the world, but I was in love with him. Life was crazy.
So..Better? Worse? Same?
Salut.