A/N: Sorry this chapter took so long! My laptop died and I had to buy a new one but fear not, Apple Mac comes to the rescue once again!

Also, I started a new LUX fanfic- check it out! Enjoy and review :)

Chapter Six- Fall Apart Today

Lux awoke drenched in sweat, her breathing heavy. She stifled a scream, springing up in her bed. It took Lux a few minutes to realize where she was, but when she did, she relaxed a little, looking around to gather her surroundings. Cate was still asleep, and Lux was grateful for that.

Slowly, Lux edged herself off of the bed, careful not to wake her mom, and crept down the stairs into the quiet living room. Ryan wasn't there, and Lux assumed he was asleep in Cate's room, but Lux began to panic a little when she noticed Baze wasn't either, but her panic quickly disappeared when she saw him hunched over the table in the kitchen.

"Morning." Lux said softly, causing her dad to look up at her surprised.

It was clear Baze hadn't slept at all; his eyes were bloodshot but Lux couldn't tell whether that was from not sleeping or crying, and he had dark bags under his eyes.

Baze stood up and walked over to Lux, smiling at her tiredly. "Couldn't sleep?" He asked, placing an arm around her shoulder and leading her over to the table.

Lux shrugged but shook her head no as she sat down. "Do you want some breakfast?" Again, Lux shook her head. "Come on." Baze nudged her jokingly. "I'll make you chocolate chip pancakes."

Lux smirked a little; she loved Baze's pancakes and chocolate chip was her favorite flavor. "Just one." She finally gave in and Baze smiled at the small accomplishment he had made.

"How's your hand?" Lux asked while Baze cooked.

Baze smirked, holding up his bandaged hand and making Lux smile a little.. "Oh, this? It's nothing." There was some truth to the statement, as if Ryan hadn't stopped him, Baze would've gone a lot further.

Once Baze had finished cooking, he placed Lux's plate in front of her and took a seat next to her. "So what do you say you and me go do something today? Without Cate and Ryan." Lux smiled a little as Baze's voice changing subconsciously at the mention of Ryan.

Lux looked up at him confused. "I've got school…" She shivered at the thought, rubbing her arms protectively.

Baze shook his head, hesitantly placing a hand on her shoulder. "I called Math. The school's was going to find out anyway, because of the police… but they said to take off as much time as you need."

Lux nodded, suddenly finding her food very unappealing. She pushed away her plate a little. "I need to shower." She whispered, her body shaking nervously. "Can you…" She signaled to her plate, looking at Baze through tears before rushing off down the hallway.

Ryan emerged a second later, pointing back down the hallway after Lux. "What the hell did you say to her?"

Baze rubbed her forehead annoyed. "I didn't say anything. She freaked out when I said she didn't have to go to school. Any normal kid would've been ecstatic."

"Ecstatic? Wow, that's a big word for you." Ryan mocked angrily. "Hate to break it to you, Baze, but the minute that little shit raped her, Lux stopped being a normal kid."

"What is your problem, man?!" Baze yelled, standing up and moving so that he was face to face with Ryan.

"What's my problem?" Ryan laughed dryly. "Try the fact that you kissed my fiancé!"

Baze looked at him slightly shocked. "That's what she told you? That we kissed?"

"No, she said that you kissed her." Ryan's face contorted with confusion. "What the hell, man? Why are you acting like it didn't happen?"

Baze laughed frustrated. "If that's what she told you then you feeling need to have a talk with your fiancé."

As hard as Ryan tried to control it, his anger got the best of him, and his fist collided with Baze's face, almost mirroring Baze with Jones.

"Ryan!" Cate yelled, running into the room and pushing Cate away from Baze. "What are you doing?! Stop!"

Ryan pulled away from Cate, looking at her furiously. "What happened between you and Baze? And don't give me this bullshit that he kissed you."

"I-uh…" Cate looked between Ryan and Baze pleadingly. "It meant nothing."

"What happened?" Ryan asked, his anger building.

Cate hesitated, looking at Baze, her eyes filling with tears. Finally, she looked back at Ryan, her expression saying it all. "It meant nothing." She clarified again. "We were both drinking and Lux had just left. I didn't mean for it to happen! You were gone and Lux was gone and he was there!"

Ryan looked at her, his face a mixture of anger and disgust. "You slept with him?" He spat out.

"It was just a stupid mistake! It meant nothing!" Cate ran after Ryan towards the front door. "No, Ryan! Stop! Ryan! It doesn't matter now!" Ryan continued walking, getting into his car and speeding off. "Ryan!"

Cate covered her mouth as her tears fell, not caring that neighbors were watching. After a few minutes, Cate composed herself enough to walk back inside. Baze and Lux stood there, unsure of what to do.

Cate looked at Lux before turning to Baze. "Can you take her today?" She whispered, walking past Lux and running a hand down her daughter's arm before rushing towards her room. "I can't- I just need…"

Lux and Baze watched until Cate's bedroom door closed and her sobs could be heard throughout the house. Baze moved closer to Lux, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Let's give her some time, okay?" It was more of an order than a suggestion.

Lux nodded, glancing back at the door a final time before leaving the house.