A/N: First of all, I want to say thank you to everyone who has reviewed this, and I apologize immensely for the long wait. The problem was, for some reason, I lost interest in this story after just the first chapter. I'm not sure why, it just happened. But, just the other night I saw The Pacifier on tv and got the sudden urge to work on this story again, so here's the second chapter and I think I'll make a weekly update, maybe that'll help me keep my sanity with posting. Anyway, I hope you all enjoy this chapter and I once again apologize for the horribly long wait. I hope I don't disappoint in this chapter.

Chapter Two

She ran through the forest as fast as her aching feet would allow; not looking back for fear of seeing him behind her. The debris of bark and thorns bit at the flesh on her bare feet with each step she took; the pain screamed at her to stop, but she refused to give in. Zoe gripped her torn blouse close to her body as she ran, ignoring the trees that seemed to grab at her face and hair. Her mind was set on only one thing and that was finding safety. Her mother's house was nearby and she was determined to get there. Zoe released a small scream as a branch scratched at her face, leaving a small cut on her right cheek bone.

Her hopes were lifted when she stumbled into a ditch that met the roadway and she scrambled up onto the asphalt, running in the direction of her mother's house; tears now streaming full force down her face. After what seemed like an eternity she now found herself standing in front of her destination; a sigh of relief escaped her lips as her sore feet met the cool grass of her front lawn. Hoping beyond hope that no one was home, she let herself inside and slowly closed the door behind her. As quietly as she could, Zoe pulled herself up the stairs with help from the railing; cringing at the blood left behind from her feet. Zoe made a mental note to clean it up once she was done with herself.

As she made it to the top landing, her feet froze in place at the sounds coming from Lulu's room. She gripped the railing to steady her balance when the bedroom door was swung open and Shane jumped out with Lulu right behind him. They were sword fighting with a set of bat-mitten rackets and Shane had a smile from ear to ear. Gripping the railing even tighter, Zoe looked around for a means of escape before she was noticed and the only place was down; she figured she wouldn't be able to make it without falling. As she stared down in debate, Zoe heard her name in the rough voice that could only belong to Shane; causing her to whip her head in his direction.

"God, what happened to you?" he asked as he took a few steps towards her. Zoe fidgeted with her hair and tried to avoid the pity looks on Shane and Lulu's face.

"Zoe?"

Zoe quickly looked into the eyes of her sister and saw pain along with fear flow through them; she knew what Lulu was thinking, but she couldn't and wouldn't bring it up in front of Shane. Zoe had absolutely no intention on telling him what was going on and she planned on keeping it that way.

"Nothing, I just - I need to clean up," Zoe finally answered as she limped her way to the bathroom and just as she suspected he would, Shane blocked her way.

"Shane, please move," she begged as she put her weight on the banister surrounding the stairs.

"Not until you tell me what happened to you," Shane slowly placed both hands on her shoulders to help steady her and she grimaced in pain.

"It was Jake, wasn't it?" Lulu asked.

"Lulu!!" Zoe snapped at her sister and pulled herself out of Shane's grasp, ignoring the shooting pain that flowed throughout her entire body.

"What? He needs to know Zoe!!"

"Zoe tell me what's going on," Shane stepped in, determined to get to the bottom of whatever was going on with Zoe.

"No!! It's none of your business Shane. Just because after five years you come back into our lives, doesn't mean you can boss us around again! It's my life, and my life does not have you in it." Zoe's words struck something in Shane he didn't even know he had; they were feelings towards her, feelings he didn't think he could have for her. She was just a kid, at least she was when he left five years ago; but it was obvious she had grown. It was also obvious that she had gotten herself into trouble, and he was going to try and help no matter what it took.

Just as Zoe was about to walk into the bathroom, Shane grabbed her arm and turned her to face him. His face was stern but his eyes were gentle as he held her by both arms.

"Let go of me!" She shrieked as she struggled against his grasp but failed miserably.

"No, not until you tell me what the hell is going on," his voice was calm and collected; he wanted to show her that she didn't have to be afraid of him.

"I can't," she whispered while shaking her head, fighting back tears that yearned to fall.

"Zoe, is this Jake guy doing this to you?"

"No," she lied and she did it without looking in his eyes. She couldn't bare to see what lay within them; she had a feeling it was pity and sympathy.

"Zoe," Shane's voice was stern and low; he was determined to break her, no matter how much it hurt both him and Zoe.

"NO!" She screamed as she pounded on his chest with closed fists, Shane flinched only slightly as her fists came down upon him; if this was what it took to get through to her then sure, he'd take a beating.

Her punches became few and far between with each hit until she found herself wrapped in Shane's arms on the floor, his hands rubbing her back to calm her sobs as he cradled her back and forth. She still wasn't ready to tell him, but at least she could cry on his shoulder just this once and after that night she swore she wouldn't let him see her weakness again. The disappointment in his eyes would be too unbearable and it just wasn't something she could handle.

Zoe awoke the next morning to find herself tucked tightly under her covers, the bright sun shining down on her face. Her head ached from all the crying she had done the night before and her feet throbbed in pain.

"Ready to tell me what's going on?" Zoe heard as she crawled out from under the covers. Allowing a gasp to escape, she turned her head in the direction of the voice.

She found Shane sitting in a chair near the foot of her bed; his elbows resting on the arms of the chair with his hands clasped in front of his face and his right ankle resting on the knee of his left leg.

"What do you mean?"

"Don't play dumb with me, Zoe. You've gotten yourself into real trouble," Shane replied as he dropped his hands into his lap.

"I'm fine, Shane. I'm not in any trouble," Zoe stood and stretched out her sore muscles, cringing at the pain throughout her abdomen.

"Yeah? Then what would you call that," Shane was now standing beside Zoe with her arm in his hand near a darkened bruise.

"It's called being clumsy," Zoe replied, pulling her arm out of Shane's grasp.

"Don't lie to me, Zoe!" Shane was becoming impatient with her, but he knew in situations such as this it took time to convince an abused victim they were in trouble.

"What do you care anyway, huh?" Zoe turned to face him, anger clearly written on her face.

"I care," Shane replied in a husky tone, his voice lowering to just above a whisper.

"Really? You could've fooled me! What with being gone for five years!"

Zoe retreated from him, closing her hand around the golden knob of her bedroom door. She had it open only an inch when Shane's hand landed on the white wood, pushing it closed again. Zoe's blue eyes rose up to meet those of Shane's and she could actually see the worry flowing through his brown orbs.

"I care," he said again, his body only mere inches from hers. Zoe mentally battled with herself to keep control; concentrating on keeping her breathing even, but it was difficult with how close Shane was to her.

She wasn't sure when these feelings for him rose, but they were coming out full force now. She could feel the heat resonating from his body he was so close; she swallowed a lump that formed in her throat and opened her mouth to speak.

"Zoe," Shane spoke when he saw her lips twitch with the beginnings of speech.

She looked up at him once again and he saw tears form in her eyes and he fought the urge to pull her to him once again.

"I -- I can't talk about it, Shane. Please, just go." She turned away from him once again and headed back for her bed, resting her head on the pillow she faced her back to him as a sign that she didn't want him there any longer.

Shane opened his mouth to speak, but nothing would come out. So, for the first time he admitted defeat, at least for the time being and exited her room; closing the door lightly behind him.

Okay, I know not much happened here, but trust me... there will be happenness. I know... not a word, but it is now!! Muhahaha!!