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 9-Rose's Helping Hand

A week passed with no phone calls from Julie. She hadn't even shown up at school since her father had brought her back home. Haley knew that wasn't a good sign. She wanted nothing more than to go over there and check on her best friend, but Rose cautioned her to wait and see what happened. She knew that if Julie needed Haley's help, Julie would find a way to tell her.

Sure enough, Wednesday night, Haley received a phone call from Julie. It was much like the phone call Haley had received the night she had gone over to Julie's house. She wanted to go over again, but Julie insisted that Haley stay where she was. She told her the way she could help her was to be there and pray with her.

Julie was crying and Haley had started as well. Something about this phone call felt different and Haley couldn't put her finger on it. Something about it was just different.

"I love you, Haley," Julie said, her voice tearful, but strong at the same time. "I love you and Becca so much. Never forget that. DO you hear me? Never forget it. Promise me."

"I-I promise. I won't forget." Haley said, her voice full of tears herself. She didn't dare argue with Julie this time. She didn't insist Julie was going to be okay an not to talk like that. Haley had a feeling this was going to be the last time she would talk to her. She didn't know how she knew that, but it was just what her heart was telling her.

"Julie, I'm sorry! I'm so sorry!" Haley suddenly exclaimed. "I should be there with you now! I'm so sorry!"

"No, it's not your fault, Haley. It isn't. There's a reason that I didn't tell Becca about this before I told you. I always felt we, meaning you and I, were closer than Becca and I were. Becca's sweet, but you were the one to accept me first."

"And I've never regretted it." Haley said, her voice full of love for her friend. "I love you, Jules."

"I love you too, Haley."

There was a pause and Haley heard Julie let out a sob.

"I'm scared!" She admitted, her voice breaking.

"I know you are," Haley said, feeling she had to say something to comfort her best friend. "I am too. It's okay to be afraid."

"Will you pray with me?" Julie asked, her voice cracking with tears.

"You don't even have to ask," Haley said, closing her eyes and falling to her knees.

The two friends were halfway midprayer when Julie's bedroom door burst open. The phone was tossed aside and Haley heard Julie let out a scream of pain followed by a cry of desperation for him to stop. She didn't' yell for Haley to help her this time though. She just begged for him to stop.

Haley sat there, silently crying as she listened to her best friend being hurt. There was nothing she could do for her, except…

"Father, please, please, protect Julie. Please, protect her. Please!"

As if by some sort of miracle, the hitting stopped.

Haley could still hear Julie crying, so she knew she was still alive.

"Julie? Julie!" Haley cried, hoping her best friend could hear her.

There was no sound from the other end of the phone, except for Julie's sobs and labored breathing.

Haley tried yet again to get her friend's attention. This time, Julie managed to find the phone and pick it up gingerly. She was in pain and all she wanted to do was sleep.

"Ha-Haley?" Julie asked, her voice tearful and tired.

"Julie, it's okay. I'm here. I'm here."

"It hurts!" Julie admitted, tears in her voice.

"What does?" Haley asked, but she thought she already knew.

"Everything." Julie gasped, her voice weakened by the pain.

"Just try and get some rest." Haley suggested, trying to sound strong for her best friend. "That's probably the best thing. I'll bet after a night of sleep, you'll be fine. You'll be good as new after a cat nap."

Julie laughed softly, but it sounded more like a sob.

"I don't think a nap will help." She said, trying to sound strong.

Haley's heart sank. She couldn't lose Julie. She just couldn't. God wouldn't let that happen. HE couldn't let that happen.

"Please Father, please help her. Please! Please protect her." Haley prayed aloud, trying to give it all over to the one person who could help her…

Haley jerked awake somewhere around six-thirty in the morning. She didn't know why she had woken up that early, but for some reason she couldn't get back to sleep.

As Haley woke up fully, the previous night's events came floating back to her. She shook her head and blinked twice. NO, it didn't' happen. Julie was fine. She would come to school late and everything would be okay. Julie would come to school and Haley would get a second chance to protect her. She would let her stay with them or Sun would take her in. Everything would be okay. She had nothing to worry about.

Haley got dressed with an air of calm and peace. She ate half her breakfast and left for school early. She kissed and hugged Rose good bye as well as Emily. She gave Jake a hug and let him kiss her good bye. After that, she was off. She had to get to school if she wanted to see Julie.

As Haley walked, she was overcome by a dream she had that night. Julie had been in it. In the dream, Julie had told her she was okay and not to worry about her anymore. She also told Haley that she would always be there for her and she loved her. The dream was weird, but Haley took it as Julie assuring her that she would see her today. Surely, it couldn't have meant anything else. It was just God's way of telling Haley that she would see her friend in school today. That had to be it.

When Haley arrived, she put her stuff in her locker and went to the cafeteria for breakfast. She had eaten something at home, but she enjoyed the tatter tots the school served.

As Haley sat down across from Becca, she noticed that Becca looked like she had been crying. Haley guessed she probably got a letter from her father who was in the army. He probably wasn't coming home as scheduled. Haley was used to comforting Becca through this. She had done it so many times, it was old hat for her. She was concerned for Becca, there was no doubt about it, but she was also anxious to see Julie. She reminded herself that Julie was probably going to be late today, due to last night's events and forced herself to be patient.

"Becca, are you okay?" Haley asked, trying to hide the uneasy feeling in the pit of her stomach. "Did you get a letter from your Dad?"

Becca shook her head.

"No."

"Then what's wrong?" Haley asked, not sure what could have caused her friend to be so upset this early in the morning.

Before Becca could answer, Sun came up to them. She put a gentle hand on Haley's shoulder and patted it gently.

"Haley, honey, we need to talk. You can bring your breakfast along. Come on, sweetheart."

Haley nodded and obeyed without question. She loved Sun as though she was a second mother to her. She didn't question Sun's judgment and listened to her without a second thought.

When they arrived in Sun's office, Haley noticed that the shades were up and the sun was streaming in through the windows. IT was abnormally warm for April. The sun made rainbow colored patterns across the window. Haley was entranced by them for a few minutes.

Haley's thoughts were interrupted when Sun broke the silence.

"Haley, sweetie, I need to tell you something about Julie."

"I know," Haley said, turning to face Sun. "Julie's going to be late. It's okay. After last night, she needs a good rest. It's okay, Sun, really. She'll be in soon."

Sun shook her head sadly. This was breaking her heart, but she had to tell Haley. She had to.

"Haley, honey, Julie won't be in school anymore."

Haley gave Sun a puzzled look

"What happened? Did she transfer schools? Did she get adopted by a better family? What's her new address and phone number? I told her she would be okay!" Haley was grinning, thinking of Julie with a family who loved her.

Sun shook her head as she wiped a few tears away from her sable eyes. This was hard. This was the hardest thing she had ever had to tell Haley. Haley was like a daughter to her. Sun loved her just as much. The last thing Sun wanted to do was hurt her.

"Haley?" Sun said, making sure she had Haley's full attention.

"Yes?" Haley said, looking directly into Sun's eyes. She could tell something was very wrong. Sun looked upset.

"Haley, honey, Julie…Julie…I'm afraid Julie died this morning. Her father beat her and she lost too much blood. I'm sorry, honey. Julie's dead."

Haley sat there, unable to move. She couldn't believe what Sun had just said. She couldn't believe it. She wouldn't believe it. Julie wasn't dead. She couldn't be. It wasn't possible.

But as Haley ran over the previous night's events in her mind, coupled with the dream she had experienced, she knew deep down in her heart that Sun was right. Julie was gone.

Haley shook her head before it hit her full on. She lowered her eyes to the floor before she let the tears fall. She buried her face in her hands and let out a sob that broke Sun's heart.

"Haley, sweetie, I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry." She walked over and embraced the little girl, wrapping her in a loving embrace full of compassion and sympathy.

"No! No! No! Julie can't be…I told her she would be okay! I told her God would protect her! She can't be dead! No! She can't be…" Haley's voice trailed off as she dissolved into tears once again.

"Why don't you go home, honey?" Sun suggested, stroking Haley's hair. "I'll take you myself. I've already called Becca's mother to come and get her. I'm sure Rose wouldn't mind watching you."

Haley shook her head.

"No, Sun, it's okay. I rather stay here."

"Are you sure?" Sun asked, knowing Haley would do better at home.

"I'm sure. I promise."

Sun nodded, still a little uneasy by the idea.

"Okay. But if you can't make it and you start feeling sick or just don't feel like staying, come and tell me and I'll ring Rose."

Haley nodded. She knew why Sun hadn't mentioned Jake. He was taking a test at school and he couldn't be disturbed.

Haley stayed with Sun for a few more minutes before leaving for her first class of the day.

Haley managed to make it through the first half of the day just fine. After lunch was a different story. She was starting to feel the affects of what had happened. She couldn't concentrate and everything she did and every class she went to, made her think of Julie.

Finally, Haley surrendered to going home. She insisted she could get there on her own. She left and arrived home ten minutes later.

After Haley arrived, she put her book bag in her closet before slamming her door shut and flopping down on her bed in tears. She let the tears come and didn't hold them back. She let out a sob and continued to let her pain out. It wasn't fair! Why did Julie have to die? Why Julie? Julie hadn't done anything wrong. She was the innocent in all of this. She didn't deserve to die!

"It's not fair! It's not fair! Why Julie! Why Julie!" Haley wailed, her sobs coming hard and thick. As she let out another one, another thought struck her. "It's my fault! It's all my fault! I'm sorry Julie! I'm sorry Julie! I'm sorry!" With that, Haley sobbed her heart out.

That was how Rose found her ten minutes later. Haley was still crying and she wasn't feeling much better. She was beginning to choke on her sobs and Rose had to get her calm down and fast.

Rose sat beside Haley on her bed and took her into her arms. SHE started to rock her back and forth and kissed her cheek gently. She then started to stroke her hair, hoping it would bring her some sort of comfort.

Sun had called and told Rose what had happened. She hadn't told her who had passed away. All Sun had told Rose was that it had been a good friend of both Haley and Becca's.

"Shh, shh, it's okay, Haley. It's all right. Rose is here, I have you, sweetie. I have you. It's okay. Just cry it out. Just cry it out. It's okay. It's all right. Shh, shh, it's okay. Thatta girl. That's a girl. You're okay. It's all right…" Rose continued to soothe Haley until her breathing went back to normal.

"What happened, sweetheart?" Rose asked, holding Haley close. She had heard a bit of it from Sun, but she wanted the full story from Haley. She had a feeling it had something to do with Julie, but she couldn't be sure.

"Julie…Julie…She…It's all my fault! It's all my fault! Julie's…Her father…Julie's dead!" Haley sobbed, bursting into tears once again.

"Haley, I…I-I'm so sorry. I'm sorry, sweetie. I'm so sorry. I know you two were really close."

Haley nodded as she let out another sob.

"Shh, shh, it's okay, honey. It's all right. I'm right here. I have you. I'm not going to leave you."

Haley leaned into Rose as more sobs racked her small form.

"I quit!" Haley suddenly exclaimed, tears in her words.

Rose was thoroughly confused now.

"You quit what?" Rose asked, not sure she understood the meaning behind Haley's sudden outburst.

"I quit being the American Dragonette!"

"Why?" Rose asked, not sure what this had to do with Julie.

Haley didn't answer. She just buried her face in Rose's shoulder and let out another sob.

"Haley, sweetheart, if you quit, whose going to teach your cousin? SHE needs someone to show her the way dragonwise. And who better for that then you?"

Haley rewarded Rose with a small smile, before the tears came again. She was just feeling so broken and confused. Nothing made sense anymore right now. Julie was dead and it was all her, Haley's fault. At least that's what Haley thought in her mind. If only she had done something more for her best friend. If only she, Haley, had been more insistent that Julie leave, maybe she would be alive now. Just maybe…

"I only wanted to save one person! That was all I wanted!" Haley whimpered, her tears coming steady and fast. "I couldn't even do that!"

"Haley, honey, shh, it's okay. Listen to me, sweetheart. Listen to your big sister. You did your best. You did your best, do you hear me? You were there for Julie and I know it doesn't seem like much to you, but it meant the world to Julie. I know it did."

Haley nodded as she let out another sob. She knew Rose had been on the other side of the abusive fence more than once.

Haley remembered the first time she had seen Rose's bruises the Huntsman had given her. Haley was scared and she wanted to help Rose, but she knew Jake could do a better job. But Haley had been able to help after all. The night Rose had a bad dream, Haley was able to help her. Jake was there, but he was taking care of Rose physically. There had been a period of time when Jake had left to get her medicine and Haley was left alone with the scared and shaken thirteen year old. She had done all she could to help her. Haley knew Rose was grateful to her for that and she never forgot it.

"It wasn't enough!" Haley wailed into Rose's shoulder. "It wasn't enough! I couldn't save her! It wasn't…" Haley's voice trailed off as she swallowed hard. "Rose, I…I don't…I'm going to throw up!" Haley cried, her stomach doing a summersault as she tried to hold back the nausea and pain.

"Okay, honey, it's all right. It's okay. I have you. Come on." Rose picked Haley up and took her to the bathroom. She pulled Haley's hair back as the child lost the contents of her stomach. This action was repeated three more times before Rose was able to get Haley to drink some juice.

As Rose was tucking Haley in, Jake returned with Emily and food for them. He heard Haley sobbing and ran to see what was wrong. His heart broke at the sight that met his eyes. He had heard from Sun about what had happened.

"Is there anything I can do?" Jake asked, coming in to the room and patting Haley's shoulder. He gave her a kiss and ruffled her hair. HE tried to take Haley from Rose, but the little girl refused to leave her protector's lap. Right now, Rose was who she needed and wanted. Haley loved Jake, but right now, she needed Rose.

"Jake, it's okay," Rose assured her boyfriend. "I got her. Haley's going to be okay. Trust me. She'll be fine. I promise. She'll be okay. Go see what Emily's doing and if we need you, I will definitely yell for you."

Jake nodded, knowing his girlfriend was probably right. It killed him to see Haley in pain, but he knew if anyone could help her through this ordeal, it was Rose…