Chapter 10

Abby woke up feeling fuzzy and disoriented. She tried to figure out where she was without opening her eyes. The night before was a hazy blur, she couldn't remember anything past going home with Jack. Then she realized she was sleeping on someone's chest, sitting on a couch. Abby tried frantically to remember what happened the night before. Suddenly it all came back in a rush, her father, going to Connor's, sleeping next to him. She reached up and tenderly felt her black eye and split lip from her father's blows.

"We'll need to put some ice on that." A familiar female voice said from across the room. Abby shot up instantly as she looked at Connor's mum.

"Ms. Temple, I'm sorry, I didn't know where else to go, Jack and I just needed somewhere to sleep, we'll leave, I'm sorry." Abby apologized in a rush.

Ms. Temple just looked at her sadly. "It's fine Abby. Really, I'm glad you came here. Did your father do that?"

Abby nodded and got up to talk with the older woman without waking Connor. As they walked into the kitchen, Abby saw the daylight streaming in from outside.

"What time is it?" She asked suddenly, "I've got to get Jack to school, and I've got to get ready." As she began getting worried, Ms. Temple placed her hand on Abby's shoulder reassuringly.

"You're not going to school today, Abby." She said calmly, "Not like that. And Jack can stay home today and sleep in as well; it'll do you both a world of good. In answer to your question, it's nine thirty. How long have you been here?"

"Since two in the morning," Abby admitted. "I called Connor and he let us in. Thank you for letting us stay. Connor's a good guy; you did a good job raising him." Abby noticed a look of sadness cross over Ms. Temple's face as she responded cryptically, "Yes, someone did."

As if knowing that someone was talking about him, Connor walked into the kitchen, looking at the pair of them. He immediately sat down next to Abby and took her hand.

"How are you feeling?" he asked with concern. Abby tried to answer, but was too preoccupied with him holding her hand. Somehow, it just felt natural. She realized that she had been quiet for too long and Connor was beginning to look worried that he'd done something wrong. He tried to pull his hand away, but Abby tightened her grip and smiled at him.

"I'm better, Connor, thank you." She said, smiling at him. His face relaxed and he returned her smile. His mother stood up.

"I'm going to check on Jack. Connor, you don't have to go to school today either, but you do have to put pants on soon." Connor nodded, getting up as well.

"I'll get you some ice for your eye," he said, moving over to the refrigerator. Abby smiled as she watched him moving around the kitchen. He had been there for her, through everything. Even after she yelled at him yesterday, he was still here, taking care of her. Last night, he'd made her feel safe and comforted, with no hesitation at all. He'd held her the entire night, and he never left her side. She loved him, and now she was sure he felt the same way.

"Connor," she began as he set down a bag of ice, "I-" but the rest of her sentence was cut off by Jack, who came running into the kitchen and into her arms. She held him as he shook, remembering the night before.

"It's ok, Jack." She said comfortingly, "I'm here and I'll take care of you."

"So will I," Connor said suddenly, standing behind Jack and placing a hand on his shoulder, "I won't let anything bad happen to either of you again." Once again, Abby was overcome with emotion and she felt herself begin to cry. She wasn't alone anymore, now she had Connor. Connor moved next to her and held her as she cried with equal parts of fear and happiness.

XXXXX

They were back in his room now, and Connor was starting to get nervous. He and Abby had stayed home all day with Jack, and Abby had seemed like she'd had something on her mind the whole day. Finally, she'd told him that she wanted to talk to him alone, so they'd gone up to his room. Now Connor was beginning worry about whatever she wanted to say. He was sure that she wanted to clarify that they were just friends, and that he shouldn't try to hold her hand again, or get as close as they were last night. Connor knew she'd needed his support, but now, she'd want the usual distance again. He had just about resigned himself to his role as her best friend and nothing more when she asked him to sit next to her on the bed.

"Connor," Abby began slowly, "We really need to talk about something important."

"I know what you're gonna say, Abby," Connor said sadly.

"You do?" Abby asked with surprise.

"Yeah, I know you don't want me to hold your hand all the time, I just thought you needed the extra support this morning. I know we're just friends and that's-"

"Connor, shut up. I love you." Abby blurted out suddenly, stopping him mid-sentence.

Connor's entire mind froze. Abby loved him? Out of all the guys she could date, she wanted him? He couldn't wrap his mind around it, yet his heart was close to bursting out of his chest. He realized Abby was watching him expectantly, but he couldn't make his mouth form the words. Instead he leaned in and kissed her, drawing her body closer with one arm and placing the other tenderly on her face.

Abby responded in kind, turning to face him and running her fingers through his hair. They held each other like this for several minutes before Abby broke away. She looked up at him and he felt her love pouring out of her gaze. He felt the same way. He grinned at her.

"So," he began with a cheeky grin, "Now can we tell Emily how we got together?" She laughed and leaned in to kiss him again.

AN: So, there you go. Conby at last, hope you liked it. There will be other people in the next chapter, I promise. Probably Jecker, but no promises. Please review.