A/N: WOW! Two updates in one week that a record! Thanks for the reviews and I'll try to update often I'm fighting my brothers for time on the computer.

If you recognize it from the books I don't own it!

Chapter 5: Horrible Taste in Boys

Artemis walked over to Rose's desk and picked up the letter, wondering what was in it that made his friend so mad. Rose was a very calm person and he had never seen her so angry before. He then turned his attention to Rose who had resumed her pacing and was now muttering under her breath. Artemis cleared his throat causing rose to cease he pacing and look up.

'May I?" he asked indicating to the letter in his hand. She nodded and sat down in her arm chair while Artemis raised the letter to eye level and began to read.

Dear Rose

Hey baby it Jeremy. Long time no speak huh? You may wanna know how I got your new address. Well I got your little bros to tell me. I wanted to let you know that Jena broke up with me last week. Since I'm single (and still incredibly hot) I thought that I'd let you know that even though you screwed up and everything that happened between us was your fault I'm still willing to take you back, even though you're cross the pacific ocean in Scotland.

Also before Jena broke up with me I found out she was with Ronald Finch behind my back so I know how you felt when I cheated on you, and let me tell you baby it's not a cool feeling. But all you have to do is write me back and well be back together. And hey maybe if you don't act like such a bossy bitch and do what I say we could make it in the long haul. I'll still gladly take you back even though every thing was your fault. After all I'm captain and Quarterback of the football team, I'm the best you'll ever get shot at baby.

Love,

Jeremy Hawthorn

Artemis put the letter back on Rose's desk. That is without a doubt the most horrific and repulsive letter I have ever had the misfortune to read! Why would Rose even be in a relationship with someone like that in the first place?

Artemis walked over to Rose who was sitting sideways in her armchair so that her legs hung off one arm and her back was against the other with her head in her hands.

"Rose?" he asked cautiously. "Are you alright?"

"Yes." She murmured removing her hands from her face but not looking up. "I'm sorry about that Artemis. That letter just brought back some bad memories." She then raised her left hand and touched her right shoulder. Suddenly a horrible thought struck Artemis. He reached his hand out and gently tilted her head up to look at him.

"Rose," He began. "Did he abuse you?" Rose took a shaky breath.

"A bit." She murmured not meeting his eyes.

"What do you mead by "A bit"?" he asked trying to control the rage building up inside him.

"He mostly just did mental stuff. Calling me names, belittling me, making me feel worthless. That kind of thing. But…" she trailed off. Her eyes were a thousand miles away, reliving painful memories, and her left hand still resting on her right shoulder.

"But…?" Artemis prompted. She shook herself and began to speak again.

"The day I found out he was cheating on me I went to break up with him. We were at my house: the twins were riding bikes with their friends in front of the house, my mom was outside keeping an eye on them and my dad had just finished his shift at the police station and was on his way home. Jeremy and I were in the kitchen and I told him that I knew he was cheating on me and that we were over. He didn't take it too well. Words were exchanged and he got violent. He grabbed a glass soda bottle that was on the counter and swung it toward my head. As you know I have had some training in martial arts, and I have three brothers, so I know how to fight. I dodged the bottle and half of it shattered against the wall. He then punched me in the stomach and that didn't hurt a lot but it did knock the wind out of me. He then brought the broken part of the bottle still in his hand back around. I managed to avoid it hitting me in the head but I didn't move back far enough and it caught me in the shoulder.

"My parents heard the bottle shatter and me scream and ran inside. My dad arrested him and my mom took me to the hospital to get stitches while my older brother Jackson and his wife Alice watched Richard and Andrew. Jeremy was sentenced to a month in juvie, a restraining order was filed, and then school ended a few months later. He left me alone the entire summer and then I was accepted here."

Artemis reached up and gently placed his hand over hers which still rested on her right shoulder.

"May I see?" He asked gently.

"Sure." Rose replied. She then undid the top two buttons of her blouse showing her black camisole more. She then pushed the right side of the shirt off her shoulder revealing a long jagged scar that started on the front of her shoulder and made its way up to the top. It was about as long as his middle finger and Artemis has long fingers. How could he do this to her? He thought. She then pulled her blouse back up and re-buttoned it.

"Now you know." She said finally looking him in the eye.

"Rose, why were you ever with someone like that in the first place?" he asked.

"I honestly don't know." She said with a shrug. Artemis gave her an I-know-that's-not-true-so-cut-the-crap-look. She sighed.

"When we first started dating he was sweet, kind, loving, and the perfect gentlemen. Then after a while he turned into the raging douche whose personality you saw in that letter. I don't know why I didn't leave before that day. I should have left long before then."

Artemis didn't know what he should do in this situation. He had never seen Rose like this before, she was so vulnerable. Rose was always so strong, and tough, but now for the first time she was showing weakness. She hated showing weakness.

"I'm so very sorry Rose." He said. Rose just shrugged.

"Everyone has their scars Arty, mine just happen to be literal as well as metaphorical." She then walked over to her desk and picked up the letter like it was an explosive.

"Any recommendations on what I should do with this?" she asked. Artemis walked over to her.

"Ignore it." he responded. "And if he continues to write letters to you give them to me, and I'll tell you if there's anything worth knowing it them."

"You would be willing to do that for me?" she asked.

"Of course." He said. He then moved closer to her and continued. "You shouldn't feel afraid of some Neanderthal thousands of miles away Rose."

"Oh I was never afraid of him. Angry with him yes, but I've never afraid."

While she spoke Artemis looked into her eyes. Rose was a very good liar but she knew her one tell was her eyes. They would change between different shades of blue with her emotions revealing how she truly felt. And Artemis would use this change of color to tell if she was lying or not. They were currently a dark lifeless blue, she had lied, she was afraid. Though he knew it he decided no to bring it up. It ripped him apart inside to see her bright, shining eyes look so lifeless and dull. Then without a seconds hesitation he closed the distance between them and wrapped his arms around her in a hug. Rose wrapped her arms around him returning the hug and rested her head on his chest.

"I just want you to know Rose that I will always be here for you." He said gently. Then he smirked. "And Butler is always available if he needs o pay this young imbecile a visit." He said jokingly. Rose let out a slight chuckle.

"Thanks Arty, but don't worry I'm fine." She said looking up at him. He looked into her eyes again. Lie. Artemis looked up at the clock on the far wall. It was 5:00pm.

"Dinner should be starting soon." He told her. He then noticed his arms were still wrapped around her and her head was still comfortably resting on his chest. "Do you want to head down?"

She looked up and swept a lock of hair that was constantly falling in her face back behind her ear. She found it annoying, but Artemis liked the way it slightly cover her left eye and curled just above her jaw.

"Sure." She replied. "Just let me grab my jacket." She then pulled away from his embrace and walked into her room and came back out moments later with her jacket.

The two then headed down to the cafeteria where they had dinner with one of their other friends a junior named Ally Wilson. Dinner was as usual uneventful and after wards Artemis walked Rose back to her dorm before heading to his own to finish a project he was working on. Later that night, around ten when Artemis was getting ready to go to sleep realized he had left his jacket at Rose's dorm. I'll just stop by and get it tomorrow. He thought.

A/N: I know the last part seems pointless but I promise it comes into play later! Yeah, so let me know what you guys think! Criticism and complements welcome! Reviews really make a writers day! :D