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.
Thanks!

God loves you
Enjoy!

"One Rose, Too Many Thorns"

Chapter 8-A Friend in Need

Rose wasn't the only one having trouble sleeping that night. Across the hall and two rooms down, Haley was tossing and turning as well. She didn't understand why, but for some reason, sleep wasn't coming to her. She was about to roll over and try and get there when the ringing of her cell phone caused the ten year old to jump a mile.

Jake had given the cell phone to Haley in case of emergencies, but he had also allowed her to give the number to a few close friends. The only people who had it were Sun, Rose, Becca and their friend, Julianna Saunders, Julie for short. Aside from Fu and Gramps that was. And of course, Jake himself.

As Haley picked up the phone, she recognized the number as Julie's. Haley's heart started racing in her chest. She knew why Julie might be calling her, but Haley had no idea if she could get out without waking the whole house up. She knew she could trust Rose and Jake, but she didn't need Emily to tell on her out of wanting to protect her. And once more, Haley knew she couldn't entrust this information to a five year old anyway. It was too scary and too personal.

The ringing of her cell phone roused Haley from her thoughts. She picked it up, being careful to speak softly, so she wouldn't wake up anyone else.

"Hello?"

"Haley?" Julie's scared and desperate voice came through the other end.

"Julie? Jules, are you okay?" Haley asked, panic and fear overtaking her exhaustion for the moment.

Haley heard the sob and knew the answer immediately.

"Julie, do you want me to come over? I could get you out of there and bring you to my place for the night. It's really no problem. My brother wouldn't mind. And my sister is really nice."

"No! You can't! He'll be even madder if you do. Promise me you won't come."

Haley was stuck between a rock and a hard place. SHE didn't want to leave one of her two best friends' in dangerous circumstances, but she also didn't want to go against her wishes either.

"I-I promise." Haley said a shaky tone to her voice. "But if you change your mind, just tell me and I'll be over straight away."

"Thanks," Julie said, her voice no less tearful, but somewhat calmer.

"No problem." Haley said, her tone one of gentle sympathy. "That's what friends are for. And Julie, it's okay to be scared. But you're gonna be okay. I'm here and I'm not going to hang up until you say it's okay."

There was a pause, followed by another sob from Julie's end.

Haley decided to break the silence.

"I'm glad you told Sun. I told you she was nice."

"I know. But when my Dad found out, he…he…" Julie's voice trailed off as another sob escaped her lips.

Haley's breath caught in her throat. How did that jerk find out?

"How did he find out?" Haley asked, before she could stop herself.

"One of his friends at the bar told him!" Julie whimpered. "He was spying on me."

Haley thought back to the day Julie had come clean to Sun about what was going on. Haley had remembered how scared her friend had been. She also remembered feeling a sensation that they were being watched. She had brushed it off, but now she wished she hadn't. If only she had acted, her friend wouldn't be in pain and afraid now.

"I'm sorry, Julie. I should have done something. I felt like we were being watched, but I brushed it off."

"Haley, it's okay. You and Becca are my best friends. I love you both so much. Never forget that."

"Julie, what are you…?" Haley asked, not sure why her best friend of the last eight years was talking like this.

"Never forget that, okay? Promise me." Julie said, her voice stronger than it had been earlier.

"I-I promise." Haley said, feeling her own tears starting to fall.

Just then, Haley heard a door slam and Julie let out a scream of fear. SHE then heard the phone clatter to the floor and the sound of someone slapping another person. Haley cringed, but she knew what she had to do.

"Julie!" She screamed into the phone, knowing she was probably making the situation worse, but not having any other choice at the moment. "Julie! JULIE!"

Rose, who had been up getting a midnight snack, heard Haley's screams and came in to check on her sister.

"Haley? Haley, honey, what's wrong? Did you have a nightmare?" Rose asked, rushing to Haley's side. SHE put a hand on Haley's shoulder.

Haley was momentarily silent with fear and shock. Her shock was overcome when she heard her friend let out another scream before she heard her call for help.

Haley snapped out of it and jumped to her feet. SHE dragoned up before Rose had the chance to ask what was going on.

As Haley flew out the window, Rose managed to grab her arm gently, but firmly.

"Haley, where are you going? Who was on the phone? What's going on, sweetie?"

"I'll be back! I promise. I need to help Julie. I have to go!" With that, Haley wrenched her arm from Rose's grip and flew off. She had to get to Julie. She just had to.

After Haley left, Rose thought of getting Jake, but something in her heart told her not to. She would wait for Haley to return and then she would talk to her. SHE could tell by the desperation in Haley's voice that it was urgent, so Rose hadn't asked anymore questions. But something in Rose's heart told her that this was far from over.

As Rose waited for Haley to return, she fell to her knees and closed her eyes.

"Father, please keep Haley safe. Please protect her, Father. Please." With that, Rose waited for Haley to return.

When Haley reached Julie's house, she flew into the window and began calling Julie's name. The house was silent except for the occasional whimpers coming from somewhere upstairs.

Haley followed them and found Julie huddled in a corner, bleeding from a cut to her arm. Several bruises covered her body as well as tear stains on her cheeks.

"Julie!" Haley shouted, dragoning down. "Julie, it's okay. I'm here now. You're not alone anymore. It's okay." Haley rushed to her best friend's side and gave her a much needed hug. "SHh, shh, it's okay. It's gonna be okay. Come on, let's get you to Sun's. She'll be able to help you."

"No!" Julie whimpered. It was soft, but Haley heard it all the same.

"Why not?" Haley asked, confused by her friend's decision.

"He'll hurt me worse if I get help. He's gone, but he could come back any minute. Haley, please…" Julie's voice trailed off as a sob escaped her lips. "Please, just don't leave!"

"I-I won't. I promise. I'm going to stay right here. I'm here, Jules. I'm right here. And you know what else?"

Julie shook her head as she let out another sob while leaning against Haley.

"God is with you too."

"I thought you didn't believe?" Julie asked, surprised at her friend's change in attitude towards their Heavenly Father.

"Roes changed that." Haley said, smiling gently. "She led me to the truth and I'm grateful to God and Rose. Come on, let's pray. I promise you, God will protect you. He's with you right now."

Julie nodded, a few tears coursing down her cheeks. They were a mixture of happiness for Haley's newfound salvation and fear for what was to come.

"Thanks, Haley." Julie said, grasping her friend's hand.

"No thanks needed, Jules. We're friends forever. I know Becca feels the same way. Come on now. I'll pray for you."

Julie nodded and closed her eyes as Haley started the prayer. Both girls were crying now, but Haley was trying her best to keep it together for her friend's sake.

"Father, I ask that you bless Julie. I ask that you protect her. Let her feel your comfort and protection during this time of fear and uncertainty. Please let her know you're there for her. Please let her feel your love. Let her know that I'm here and help me to help her endure this scary time. Please be with both of us. I ask this in your precious name, Amen."

Julie took a deep breath and started her own prayer. Her voice was tearful, but her words honest and true.

"Father, I ask that you please bless Haley. Thank you for her friendship and please let her know that I love her. Never let her forget that. Please let her know I'll be there with her no matter what. Nothing will tear us apart in spirit. Please let her know that. I thank you for her and Becca. I pray this in your precious name, Amen." With that, Julie rested her head against Haley's shoulder as the two friends waited, cried and prayed silently for protection from what the morning held in store.

"Julie?" Haley asked, not sure where to begin. "Why would you pray for something like that? I know you love me. I know that, Jules. I know it will never change."

Julie held back a sob as she tried to explain her reason for her prayer.

"I prayed for that because I Don't know if I have tomorrow. I don't know if I'll be here. I want you to know I'll never stop loving-"

"Don't say that!" Haley exclaimed, tears falling down her face now. "Don't you dare! You're going to be okay. You're not going anywhere for a long, long time! Do you hear me! You're not going anywhere!"

Julie shook her head, her tears blinding her vision.

"You don't know that, Haley! You don't know what it's like! He told me he would…he would…"

"Don't you dare finish that sentence Julianna Saunders! Don't you dare! We'll get you help. Sun and I will protect you. You'll be okay. You can live with Sun or stay with me. It'll be fine. You'll see. You'll be…" Haley's voice trailed off as a sob escaped her own lips. She couldn't give Julie false hope. There was one thing to have faith and hold onto it strongly, but it was another thing altogether to say things you didn't' know were true. "I'm sorry, Julie. I'm sorry. You're right, I don't know what you're going through. But I know God will protect you. He won't let anything happen to you."

Julie nodded and wrapped her arms around Haley's neck as her friend hugged back. They both needed the closeness and they didn't' know if they would ever be able to hug each other again.

They must have fallen asleep, because the next thing Haley knew, she was being nudged awake.

"Haley? Haley! Haley, wake up! You need to leave." Julie insisted, her voice urgent and full of fear. "You need to leave now! He's back! He's home! Go!"

"I'm not leaving without you." Haley insisted stubbornly.

"I'll be fine." Julie said, hoping she was right. "You need to go."

Haley didn't move at first. She wasn't about to leave her friend now. She couldn't. Julie needed her and Haley wasn't about to let her down.

"I told you I wasn't leaving you and I'm not going to."

Julie shook her head. She could hear her father coming up the stairs, his boots making each stair shudder under the weight.

"Please…" Julie begged, her eyes full of tears and pleading. "Just go! I'll be fine."

Haley was debating on whether to listen or not, when the door flew open.

Julie's father stood there, his icy blue eyes staring down at the two little girls with nothing but anger and hatred. He blinked twice when he saw Haley. He hadn't recognized her at all.

After regaining his senses, he backhanded Julie across the face. He went to do it again, but Haley stepped in between them.

"Leave her alone!" She demanded.

Julie's father, Paul, snickered.

"And whose gonna stop me? You!" He chuckled at this statement as he went to hit Julie again.

"Dragon up!" Haley shouted, not caring if Julie's father fainted from fear. She had to save her friend and if revealing her dragon form to a complete stranger would do the trick, she would do it. She could endure the lecture from Grandpa later.

But to Haley's dismay and fear, nothing happened. She didn't understand. It had worked before. What was going on now?

Haley didn't have time to think about it. A minute later, she had transformed and was about to pull Julie onto her back, when Julie's father got to her first. He picked her up and slapped her across the face before his fist collided with the little girl's right cheek. He then threw her down and proceeded to beat her.

Julie cried out, begging him to stop, but her please went on deaf ears.

After ten minutes, Paul Saunders got tired and left for the bar.

Haley waited till he was gone before she took matters into her own hands. She flew over to Julie and picked her friend up. SHE was strong for a dragon and managed to carry her friend all the way to the hospital. She had flown of course, but it wasn't hard.

When Haley arrived, she sought out Dr. Anna Marcela. SHE then explained what had happened and cried softly as she waited outside for someone to give her news.

Haley had been sitting there for an hour until Jeanie Mathews came out. She sat down next to Haley and gave her a hug.

"Haley, sweetie, your friend's going to be fine. We have her stabilized. As soon as the IV bag runs out, we can call her parents to pick her up. She's going to be okay. You did a brave thing."

Haley nodded. The only word she heard was "parents" and she immediately freaked out.

"No! NO, you can't call her parents! Please, Aunt Jeanie, please don't do that! Please!"

Jeanie became worried at this reaction from her niece. She had known Haley since she was born and whenever Haley got worked up like this, it was generally for a good reason.

"Haley, sweetheart, can you tell Aunt Jeanie why you don't want me to call them?"

Haley nodded. She composed herself enough to be able to speak. But before she could, the doors to the elevator opened wide, revealing Paul Saunders. But there was something different about him. He was not only clean shaven and dressed, but he looked sincerely worried for Julie. This didn't make sense to Haley. How could someone who beat their child no more than three hours ago, now be sorry for what they had done? Haley knew this wasn't so and she was determined to protect her friend, no matter what it took.

Haley watched as Paul Saunders talked to Tony and then left for Julie's room.

Haley jumped up to stop him, but Jeanie held her back.

"Sweetheart, we need to talk. Come on. I'll buy you lunch in the cafeteria. Aw, up you come." With that, Jeanie picked Haley up and took her downstairs.

Once down there, Haley explained the whole situation to Jeanie while trying to enjoy the treat her aunt had gotten for her. It was hard, considering her best friend was in the hospital and may even be hurt again by a person who was supposed to love her.

"We'll do our best to keep her safe." Jeanie assured Haley. "I promise."

"What if Mr. Saunders has already taken Julie home?" Haley asked, a shiver running up her spine.

Jeanie sighed.

"Then we'll just have to pray. I know God will protect her. I'll even pray with you now if you want."

Haley nodded and accepted her aunt's gesture of kindness and love.

After Haley and Jeanie returned from the cafeteria, they were dismayed to learn that Julie's father had successfully removed her from the hospital.

Jeanie went to make a few phone calls, while Haley yelled at Tony for giving Mr. Saunders Julie's room number.

Anna calmed her down and then sent her home.

Haley wasn't as angry when she arrived home and she even gave Emily a hug, something she had been neglecting to do lately.

Haley hadn't stepped two feet in the door before Rose appeared. She gave Haley a hug before asking the question that had been on her mind since Haley had left that morning.

"What's going on?"

Haley sighed and explained everything to Rose. She was crying by the time she was done, but Rose had a different look on her face. The expression was one of pride.

"I am very proud of you, Haley Christina Long."

"Huh?" Haley asked, not sure she believed what Rose had just said.

"I'm very proud of you for what you did for Julie. That was very brave of you. I know God is proud of you too. And I also know that he'll protect Julie. God protects all of us. All we have to do is have faith-"

"And let the Father handle the rest." Haley recited knowingly. "But it's hard sometimes. I just want Julie to be okay."

Rose nodded and pulled Haley in for a hug.

"I know, honey, I know you do. And God knows it too. But trust me, sweetheart, God hears you. He hears you, but sometimes you need to wait on Him. He'll help you. I know He will."

Haley nodded and leaned into Rose for emotional support. She wasn't even aware that she had started to cry until she felt Rose rub her back and encourage her to cry it out.

"Shh, shh, it's okay, sweetie. I'm right here. I have you. You're okay. Come on, sweetheart. Let's sit in the living room, okay? Nobody's there. Emily's playing UNO with Jake."

Haley nodded. She let Rose pick her up and carry her to the couch. She snuggled into Rose for a cuddle and ended up falling asleep in Rose's lap. She felt safe there and she was able to relax for the first time in a few hours.

"Please, Father, please protect Julie. Give Haley the strength to wait on you and let you handle it. Please. Amen." With that, Rose continued to comfort her little sister. She knew Haley needed her and she was going to do everything she could to help her through this difficult time. Little did Rose know just how much of a help she would be to Haley in the next week…