Jeff arrived at Matt's house 20 minutes later from talking to him on the phone. He was happy that his brother agreed to them staying over; he knew he didn't really need to ask but since it wasn't really his house he felt he needed to. He would of offered his own place but the thought of his ex being there, the thought of what she was, is, capable of well he didn't want to put more torture on her or Cody.
Jeff looked over at Angel when he parked the car, he saw her look out the window and instantly she had a worry look on her face her eyes widened. Jeff followed her gaze and saw that it landed on the cars in Matt's driveway. Jeff instantly knew what her worry was. "Angel it's just Shannon and Shane, they are friends of mine and Matts, don't worry about them I'm here."
She looked over at Jeff and nodded her head. Angel then looked back at Cody and shook him awake.
As Angel was waking up Cody, Jeff got out of his car as he stretched to his full height and took his first step, he felt his knee buckle from under him, his hand immedietly shot out to his car to hold himself up, and if it wasn't for his car he would most definetly hit the floor. As Jeff started walking to his trunk he felt pain shoot to his knee with every step but he sucked it up and continued.
By the time Jeff got both Angel and Cody's bag and walked to Angel's side, both her and Cody were already out the car and waiting for him. Jeff smiled at both of them and nodded his head towards the door. He walked along Angel's side supporting her weight as he wrapped his arm around her waist. When they got to the door, Jeff opened it and found Matt Shane and Shannon on the couch.
When Angel felt them looking over she moved her head into Jeff's shoulder. Feeling her move into him, Jeff turned to Cody "Cody take these bags and follow me up while I help your mother" He handed over the bags and walked over to the stairs, and Jeff practically carried Angel up the stairs.
Jeff decided on choosing his own room to place Angel and Cody so that he can be near. As he placed Angel on the bed he heard her start moaning in pain. "Angel where does it hurt, tell me?"
"My ribs…it hurts, hurts to breathe" Angel said with tears in her eyes.
"They arent broken probably bruised, they are gonna hurt Angel but just be careful in your movements, just try to sleep some…don't worry Angel your safe here" Angel nodded and closed her eyes. She inhaled deeply and was instantly rewarded with the unique smell of Jeff. She realized that it came from the pillow she was on and knew she was in his room, and she took comfort in that. When she opened her eyes she saw Jeff and Cody talking. As she watched them talk her eye lids were dropping and no matter how much she wanted to stay awake, sleep overtook her.
-Downstairs-
Silence was what you heard between the three friends. They all looked at eachother then to the stairs then back to eachother. Before a word was said they heard the upstairs door close and footsteps going down the stairs. When they looked up they saw a kid which they figured was Cody come down look their way and smile. The three friends couldn't help but smile themselves, but when they saw Jeff come downstairs pain clearly shown on his face they all were instantly worried.
"Jeff bro whats wrong?" Matt asked jumping to his feet when he saw Jeff limping badly to the couch.
Since he was out of view of Angel, Jeff couldn't hold the pain in anymore, so when he reached the couch he all but collapsed on it, which resulted in Matt running to his side.
"Jeff what happened?" Shannon asked raising to his feet and walking over.
" knee" Jeff grunted in pain. "Don't touch it!" Jeff said when he saw Matt reach for his knee.
"Jeff we need to see how it is"
"Just go get me ice and an ace bandage" Jeff said reaching for his pant leg to lift up. When he did he saw his knee swollen and had a purple black brusing color to it, he also noticed it moved to the side and he knew it was dislocated.
"Damn man that looks bad" Shane said hold the ice and bandage.
"I need to pop it back in" Jeff said reaching for his knee. But Shannon reached out and stopped him.
"Let me do it Jeffro" Shannon said and without warning he popped it back in.
"Ahhhhhh" Jeff screamed and slammed his fist down on the couch. He leaned his head back on the couch and tried to catch his breath. "Damn…that freakin…hurt, could have…warned me Shan"
"Well its always better to do it when you least expect it bro."
"Jeff what happened to your knee?" Cody asked. He was sitting on the couch next to Jeff quietly the whole time. Being around the people he saw in tv made him turn shy but he knew with Jeff by his side he would be okay. He noticed when he asked the question everyone turned to him as if finally noticing him.
Jeff turned to Cody and read the worry in his eyes whether it be worry for his mother, Jeff, himself or all three he didn't know but he vowed to make both him and Angel safe and comfortable. "Well…someone just kicked at my knee…before I got to you." Jeff didn't really want to tell him who really, for fear of scaring or worring the little boy more.
Cody nodded his head and reached for the ice in Shane hand and placed it on Jeff's knee. "Well here Jeff leave this on your knee, I guess we gonna have to take care of you now huh?" Cody laughed lightly, which caused chuckles from everyone else.
"Very funny Cody" Jeff smiled at him and grabbed for the ice and held it in place. "Well guys Im sure you guessed that this is Cody, Cody this is Shannon, Shane and Matt"
Cody looked up and smiled at them "Hey there"
"Hey Cody" They said and all found their seats either on the floor or couch.
"So whats going on?" Shane asked
"Umm…well…"Jeff started to say but was interrupted by Cody.
"The guy that my mom was going to marry beat her up really bad and well we needed help and since my mom didn't want to go to the hospital I called Jeff the only one we could count on, and he came and helped us, he got us out of the house, and away from Richard…thanks Jeff" Cody said looking up at Jeff.
"You don't have to thank me Cody" Jeff said.
"Its just if you…she cou…he can…I cou" Cody looked down since he couldn't form the words to admit it all.
"Cody listen you mother she's going to be alright yea shes hurting now but it will go away, and no, he will not hurt you nor your mother ever again and don't blame yourself this isnt your fault your 10 yrs old he could of done stuff…Cody he could of hurt you. And like I told your mother I am here for the both of you, I promise that this won't happen again." Cody looked up at him in shock. "I know that, that's a big promise to make and keep but I always keep my promises and I tend to keep this one and do everything in my power to complete it." Jeff said looking at Cody completely honest in what he said.
"How did you know…" Cody started to say.
"I just did" Jeff said with a smile.
Cody nodded his head and looked up and saw the smiles on everyones face. He finally felt safe for once and at the realization he felt exausted he wanted to go to sleep, the one time where he wasn't afraid to because he knew that the moment he closed his eyes for sleep he knew that he wasn't after his mother.
As if sensing what Cody was feeling Jeff nudged his shoulder and caught his attention. Cody looked up and saw a smirk on Jeff's face. "Why don't you go to sleep buddy you look tired and you need it, its been a long night"
"Yea your right…I am tired" Cody stood up.
"Remember the room I put your mother?" He saw Cody nod. "Go sleep there"
"Okay thank you, nite everyone" Cody said he gave Jeff a hug and waved to everyone and walked upstairs to Jeff's room.
Jeff's gaze followed Cody until he couldn't see him anymore, when he turned he saw all three looking at him. "What?"
They all shook their heads.
"Okay you'll aint staring at me for no reason" Jeffs southern accent came out thick.
"Na man its just we curious I guess as to what happened."
"Well Cody pretty much said what happened"
"Well yea but still explain to us like from when you left here to now bro"
"Well…after I left here I went home I was ready to take a shower when Cody called and told me about Angel and when I was talking to him I saw my closet door opening and Cody caught my attention when he said that Angel was hurt badly so I took my eyes off the door…then like I felt someone behind me and when I did I saw her swing a bat aiming for my head but I caught it in time..and well I told her off told her to leave but then she kicked my knee, then she said that this wasn't over that if I thought these 5 months without her was peace that I was wrong and she left. Pretty much went straight to Cody's house after that cleaned up Angel and came here."
"What did she mean by 'this aint over' Jeff?" Shane asked worriedly.
"I really don't know it could mean anything" Jeff said standing up.
"Jeff where you going you need to take your weight off your knee" Matt asked
"Gonna go check on Angel" Jeff limped over to the stairs and slowly went up them. When he reached his room he noticed the door was slightly opened, and he walked in careful not to wake anyone. When he closed the door behind him he turned around and noticed the peacefullness on both the faces of Cody and Angel, but he couldn't help but linger on Angel. Even though he saw the bruises and wounds he still found her beautiful, the moonlight shinned on her perfectly. Jeff walked over to her side and moved the hair that was in her face and kissed her lightly on the cheek to not wake her. His hand lingered on her cheek and he felt how soft her skin was. I have to stop thinking this way, she doesn't need this now…neither do I…but how can someone do something so bad to someone so beautiful as she? Jeff pulled back and placed the covers over both of them he then moved over to the couch that was in his room to sleep. He wanted this day over with to make sure she was actually was alright…also to see what tomorrow will bring: heartache or happiness?
