DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT own any of the characters from ADJL. They belong to Disney. I do however own Rose and Jake's adopted daughter, Emily, along with the angel Joy and anyone else you don't recognize. If anyone would like to use any of these OC's, please ask my permission first.
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Enjoy!

"One Rose, Too Many Thorns"

Chapter 3-Confrontations and Memories

Trixie couldn't speak for a few minutes. She was too shocked. She thought she had heard Jake wrong, but then he repeated himself, so Trixie knew she hadn't heard him wrong.

"Your…your…" Trixie couldn't even finish her sentence. She was looking at Jake as if she had never seen him before, and when she turned to Rose, there was a glare on her face that rivaled the Huntsman's. She fixed Rose with an even stare.

Rose glared back, readying herself for anything. She knew Trixie was not violent, but she also knew that the girl spoke her mind and she would no doubt speak her opinion even if nobody wanted to hear it.

"Jakey, I can't believe you would…I can't believe you went and…and as for you!" She said, turning to Rose.

Jake would have thrown his hands up in defense, but since he had Emily in his arms, he settled for giving Trixie an innocent look.

"Rose and I didn't…" Jake assured his friend, his voice trailing off.

"Then how did she…" Trixie asked, gazing at Emily.

"I adopted her," Rose said, her voice steady, even though she was glaring at Trixie.

Trixie nodded. But before she could say another word, Rose beat her to it.

"What about me?" Rose asked stepping towards the African American girl. "Come on, Trixie, say what you really think. We all know you want to. I know you hate me, but I don't understand why. I never did anything to you. Can't you just give me a chance?"

"Yeah Trix, come on." Spud said, not one for fighting. "Just give Rose a chance. She's legit."

Rose smiled at Spud. She could tell he really wanted to help and she was grateful for that.

Trixie gave Spud a glare before turning back to Rose.

"Oh you didn't do anything to me, but you did try to KILL my best friend!"

"I didn't have a choice!" Rose exclaimed, glaring at Trixie. "And in my defense, I didn't even know Jake was the American Dragon until he revealed himself to me. And you know what I did when I found out?"

Trixie made a noise as if to say she didn't care.

"I let him go! I let him go. I let him go, and you know why?" Rose's voice had leveled off and Jake could tell she was trying to fight back tears. "I let Jake go because I loved him. And I still love him. I couldn't slay him because I love him. I quit my job because I love him. I got beaten every night because I didn't do my job because I love Jake. I ran because I loved Jake and I didn't want to hurt him. You have no idea what I went through!" Rose pointed to Emily, who was starting to cry in Jake's arms. "What we went through! SO don't you dare stand there and tell me that I wanted to hurt Jake or that I wanted to kill him, because I never did!" With that, Rose walked away. She turned and went in the direction of Jake's house.

Trixie was speechless. She didn't know how to react to Rose's outburst and she knew she had been wrong. But of course, she had to keep up a front around Jake and Spud.

"I can't believe her!" She shouted, glaring after Rose's retreating back. "How dare she get all up in my face and try and tell me that I'm-"

"Trixie," Jake said, trying to sound as calm as he could, despite the situation.

"Yeah?" Trixie asked, not so sure what Jake was about to say.

"Rose is right. You don't know what she went through and you need to back off." With that, Jake left and went after his girlfriend, leaving a stunned Trixie and Spud behind.

When Jake arrived home, he put Emily to bed and went searching for Rose. He found his girlfriend sitting in the sunroom, just staring out the window.

"Hey," Jake said, sitting down next to her. "Penny for your thoughts?"

Rose shook her head before turning around and burying her face in Jake's shoulder, breaking down right there.

"Hey, hey, hey, it's all right. Rose, it's okay. The Amdrag's right here. I got you, baby. It's going to be okay. Don't mind Trix. She just was shocked."

Rose nodded and let out a sob. She clung to Jake for all it was worth and continued to cry.

Jake tried his best to soothe her, but at the same time, he knew she had to get this out.

"Rose?" Jake asked, his voice gentle and full of love. "Rose, if you don't mind me asking, what happened after the grand equinox hunt? I mean after you ran off?"

Rose took a deep breath as she recalled the events following the choice she had made.

As the memories started to consume her, Rose buried her face in Jake's shoulder while squeezing her eyes shut. She was trying to block out the pictures now flooding her mind's eye. She already revisited this moment during her nightmare, but reliving it during the day was a whole other matter altogether. She hated the fear the memmories brought her and they were even more scary for her now that she knew the Huntsman was looking for her…

Rose sighed with relief as she made her way into the house she called home. She had been gone now for an hour and she still wasn't looking forward to facing the Huntsman. It had been an hour. An hour since Rose had let her arch enemy, the love of her life, the American Dragon, go. It had been an hour since Rose had made the decision to let Jake go and even though she knew she had done the right thing, she dreaded what the Huntsman would say or do when he found out.

Rose knew she didn't have long to wait either. The Huntsman was never one for small talk and he would find out sooner or later.

Almost five minutes after Rose had reached her room, she heard the Huntsman call her name.

"Huntsgirl!"

"Uh, coming master!" Rose called, knowing her heart wasn't in it. She wanted to quit, but she knew she couldn't, unless there was a miracle.

Rose walked slowly down to the Huntsman's office. She knew she was in trouble, which made it all the more scary as she made the five minute walk. She was starting to feel sick, but she pushed it aside. She would give in to the nausea and headache later. Now, it was time to save her life.

"Huntsgirl!" The Huntsman said, as Rose walked into the room. "We need to talk."

"You wanted to see me, master?" Rose asked, trying to sound as normal as possible. She had taken off her Huntsgirl attire and had put on her regular clothes.

"Yes," the Huntsman replied. He sat down at his desk, facing his niece. He had a smile on his face, but it wasn't one Rose liked. She recognized it and knew she was in for a beating or at least a talking to.

Rose gulped as she watched the Huntsman get up from his seat. He came around the side of his desk to stand right in front of her.

"I'm going to ask you this once, Thorn, and I want the truth."

Rose nodded. She hated being called Thorn, but she didn't dare express her opinion in front of the Huntsman.

"Did you or did you not slay the American dragon?"

Rose thought about this for a long time. As she thought of what to say, her mind floated back to the events that had taken place an hour ago…

"It's over dragon!" Huntsgirl said, raising her staff to deliver the final blow. "Say good bye!"

"Rose, no!" The American dragon, shouted desperately.

Huntsgirl gasped and stopped in mid aim.

"What? What did you just call me?" She asked, unable to comprehend the fact that the American Dragon knew her name.

"Rose. If you want to say good bye, say it to my Human face." With that the American Dragon powered down, revealing who he truly was. "Rose, it's me."

Rose gasped in surprise. Where the American Dragon had stood nearly a minute ago, now stood her friend, and secret crush, Jake Long.

"Jake?" Rose asked, disbelief in her tone. But as she gazed into Jake's eyes, she knew there was only one thing to do. She pulled her staff back and slashed the ropes, binding Jake to the tree.

Rose didn't even look back to see if Jake had realized he was free. After she had broken his bonds, Rose had run. She had run for her life and out of fear.

But as Rose gained the town, she knew she couldn't run forever. The Huntsman would find her and even worse, Rose knew Jake would never forgive her. Either way Rose looked at it, she had messed up big-time and there was no easy way to fix it…

Rose snapped out of her thoughts as she felt a hand slap her across the face. She jerked out of her reverie and touched the place where the Huntsman had struck her. She had been slapped before, but for some reason, this time it felt worse. This time, Rose felt like she really deserved it.

"Huntsgirl!" The Huntsman shouted, irritably. "Did you hear what I asked you?"

Rose nodded and shook herself out of her thoughts. She knew she had to answer him, but she didn't want to. She decided the truth was better than a lie. She was tired of lying and she wanted to start over.

"No." She said, her voice steady and strong. On the outside, Rose was together and calm, but on the inside, she was shaking with fear.

"No?" The Huntsman asked, obviously confused by Rose's answer. "What do you mean, no?"

"I mean exactly what I said," Rose replied, her voice steady and calm. "No. I didn't slay the American Dragon. I…I…I…I let him go."

The Huntsman glared at Rose. His eyes said more than a reply ever would. Rose knew she was in for it now, and boy was she ever right.

"You WHAT!" Huntsman shouted, angrily. With that, he lunged for Rose. She jumped out of the way, but only managed to back herself up against the wall. She cursed herself inside for being so stupid.

"I-I'm sorry, master," Rose said, hoping her apology would be enough to quell his anger, but she was wrong. "I didn't mean to-" Her sentence was interrupted as the Huntsman slapped her again. He then proceeded to beat her. Rose begged for him to stop, but he wouldn't listen.

By the time he was done, Rose was in pain and crying from fear and desperation. She just wanted out, but she knew that wasn't possible.

"That will teach you to disobey me!" With that, he delivered another slap to Rose's cheek before leaving her alone. He needed time to think of her punishment. He couldn't' let something like this go unpunished.

It took Rose a good ten minutes to get herself together. She went to her room and flopped down on her bed and cried. She cried for the injustice of her situation. She cried for Jake, who she probably would never see again. And she cried for letting herself get into this mess in the first place.

Rose loved Jake. She would always love him. No matter what, she would always love him. But she guessed that now, Jake probably hated her, which was far from the truth…

"The Huntsman beat you?" Jake asked, hugging Rose close and planting a kiss on her cheek.

Rose nodded, another sob escaping her lips.

"He would hit me every time I didn't do what he wanted. But when I let you go, that was the worst beating he ever gave me. I was sore for a month and I had some infections from some of the cuts. I just wanted to escape, but I knew he would find me." She then let out another sob before a familiar feeling came over her. She jumped up and ran for the bathroom.

"Rose! Rose, wait!" Jake shouted, running after his love. He found her in the bathroom, leaning over the toilet. She had just vomited and Jake could tell she wasn't doing so hot.

Jake sat behind Rose and held her hair back as she brought up the contents of her stomach.

"Rose, it's okay. It's all right. I'm right here. You're safe. You're okay. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have asked you to tell me that. It's all my fault you're sick. I'm sorry."

Rose shook her head as she tried to catch her breath.

"No, Jake. It's not your fault. You had a right to know. And I think I'm just not feeling good from the entire day. It was a long one for everyone. And don't' forget my little scare in the mall."

Jake nodded. He reached out and took Rose into his arms. He let her lay her head against his shoulder and started to stroke her hair.

"It's all right. Do you feel better now?"

Rose shook her head.

"A little, but not much. I just want to lay down and forget this day ever happened."

"I hear that," Jake said, giving Rose a kiss. "Want me to lay down with you?"

Rose nodded.

"I wouldn't have it any other way." She gave Jake a small smile, despite the fact that she was still feeling bad.

As Jake picked Rose up, he made sure he was slow in walking back to their room. He laid Rose down on the bed and went to get her a bucket. After he returned, he set the bucket by the bed and got in beside Rose. He took his girlfriend into his arms and gave her a hug, followed by a passionate kiss.

"I love you, Rose," he said, holding her close. "I love you so much. And I'm so sorry for everything you went through."

"I love you too," Rose said, resting her head against Jake's shoulder. "And it's not your fault. I promise."

Jake nodded, but he wasn't convinced. Then something clicked in his mind.

"Rose, what happened this afternoon? I mean at the mall. What made you go Huntsgirl on Emily?"

Rose sighed as she tried to think of the best way to tell Jake what had taken place. She really didn't want to answer the question or recall the afternoon's events, but she knew Jake had a right to know.

"Rose?" Jake asked, rubbing her shoulder gently. "Rose, it's okay. You can tell me."

Rose nodded and took a deep breath.

As she was about to speak, they heard Emily scream from across the hall.

"Daddy!"

Jake released Rose gently and jumped to his feet. He raced across the hall to Emily's room. When he got there, he found Emily in the clutches of a goblin.

"Hey!" Jake said, glaring at the goblin. "Let her go now!"

The goblin shook its head, making Jake grit his teeth in anger.

"All right, obviously ya'll don't know who you're messin' with, so let me fill you in. Dragon up, yo!" With that, Jake transformed from Human form into the American Dragon. He flew up into the air and carefully, but quickly grabbed Emily from the goblin's grip. "It's okay, Emily. I gotcha." He put his daughter on the floor and told her to go to Rose. Emily obeyed, not looking back as she ran for the safety of her mother's arms.

Once Emily was gone, Jake turned his attention to the goblins, giving them a glare.

"Now, I had a long day, and I really don't feel like dragging this out, so I'm just going to give you the short version. Tell your boss, or whoever you punks work for, that if they ever come near me or my family again, they'll wish they had quit their jobs."

The goblin nodded and escaped through the window, fleeing for its life.

Jake powered down and went to see how his girlfriend and daughter were doing. He found Emily in Rose's arms, crying. The child was visibly shaken and Jake could see why.

"Hey, it's all right, Em. You're okay." He gave Emily a kiss and sat down next to Rose. "Are you all right, Rose?"

Rose nodded.

"Yeah. But why did that goblin want Em?"

Jake shrugged.

"I don't know." He said, putting an arm around Rose and letting her lay against his shoulder. "But I gave them a message to pass along to their boss."

"I'll bet you did," Rose said, giving Jake a half smile. "Emily should be asleep in about ten minutes. After we tuck her in, do you want to finish up our conversation?"

Jake nodded. He knew what Rose was talking about and he couldn't wait to spend some alone time with her. After the day they had, it was long overdue.

Jake rolled over in bed and tried to block out the sound of knocking at his door. He didn't want to get up right now, but the person or creature that wanted his attention, was not going to give up too easily.

"Jake! Yo, kid, we got problems!" Came Fu's voice from the other side of the door.

"All right, Fu. I'm comin'." Jake said, resigning to the fact of getting up.

Jake opened the door and gave Fu a look.

"What's up?" He asked still rubbing sleep from his eyes.

"I just thought you wanted to know that Haley just lost her cookies all over the bathroom floor. It's not a pretty sight."

Jake groaned. It wasn't' taking care of Haley that made him annoyed, but the fact that he was the only one who could. Rose was more than capable, but Jake knew that whenever Haley was sick, she didn't want anyone but him.

"Aww man!" Jake said as he made his way to the bathroom. He closed the door gently, not wanting to wake up Rose or Emily. The child had fallen asleep in their bed, too scared to sleep in her own room after her ordeal with the goblins.

When Jake entered the bathroom, the sight that met his eyes, broke his heart. Haley was leaning against the toilet, tears streaming down her face. She looked flushed and Jake could tell she wasn't feeling good.

"Haley, it's okay," Jake said, sitting down behind her. "I'm here now. Your big brother's right here. Come here, sis." He put an arm around Haley and tried to calm her down. She was crying pretty hard and Jake knew she was going to throw up again. He also had a feeling that it was going to be another long day. And boy was Jake ever right.

After Haley's stomach had finally calmed down, Jake picked Haley up and took her back to her room. HE took Haley's temperature and found that she had a fever of 101.4 degrees. He tried to get Haley to drink some water, but it didn't stay down.

"Jake, I feel awful!" Haley wailed, burying her face in Jake's shoulder.

"I know, Haley, I know," Jake said, pulling Haley close. "I know you're not feeling good. You're going to be okay."

"Don't leave me!" Haley begged, her voice tearful and desperate.

"I won't," Jake said, starting to stroke Haley's hair. "I promise. I'm not going anywhere."

Jake spent the next hour taking care of Haley. He had cuddle time with her and helped her any other way he could. He hated seeing Haley sick and he wanted more than anything to help her feel better.

A familiar voice in the doorway made Jake look up.

"Hey. Is Haley all right?"

Jake looked up to see Rose standing there. She had a concerned look on her face.

Jake shook his head.

"No. She has the flu or something. I feel really bad for her. I just hope she's going to be okay."

"I'm sure she'll be fine," Rose said, coming over and sitting down on the edge of Haley's bed. "After all, she has the Am Drag taking care of her." Rose gave Jake a smile, which he returned.

"Well I can't argue with that."

There was silence for a minute before Jake broke it.

"Rose?"

"Yeah?" Rose asked turning her attention to Jake.

"What happened today at the mall?"

Rose sighed.

"The Huntsman called my cell phone, looking for me. It scared me so badly and that's why I went Huntsgirl on Em. I didn't mean to, but the phone call really shook me up."

Jake nodded and took his girlfriend into his arms. He planted a kiss on Rose's cheek and held her close.

"He's not going to hurt you or Emily ever again. I can promise you that."

Rose nodded, even though she had a hard time believing Jake's words.

The Huntsman was skilled at getting what he wanted and Rose knew from past experience that he wouldn't stop until he got what he wanted…