Chapter Nine.

Nick.

It was hard seeing her like this…

Weakened by the many drugs she'd unwillingly digested.

Unconscious because of one drugs reaction with cinnamon…

It just didn't seem possible that the pain we were watching her endure was because of one persons mindless and self-absorbed decision to make things easier for himself.

I moved the back of my hand down her warm cheek, it was still unnaturally hot compared to what it should be and that had the doctor worried. Although she'd been given drugs to reduce the allergic reaction nothing could entirely stop it, we all just had to sit and wait out what would be a long few hours until it was out of her system. The signs looked good, the swelling had gone down and she seemed more in our world then her own but still it was so hard seeing her like this.

It had already been a grueling thirteen hours, watching her become conscious only to quickly fade away again. The moments although short that she spent with us had been helpful, she was still able to speak, to remember who I was and move her arms.

All of those were good signs supposedly,

"Nick if you want to go see Demi you can," Brandi whispered.

I looked across to see her holding Miley's hand tightly, she was guilt ridden like Miley's entire family. The drugs she'd been taking the past week supposedly weren't Miley's decision. The police had video surveillance of Miley's friends injecting her while she was too drunk to stop them. Then last night Liam dosed her drink by distracted her somehow and it was all caught on tape.

That's why she was here suffering, because of him.

"No," I whispered, "I need to stay here with her."

"What about Demi?" She questioned quietly,

I looked up feeling my lip quiver as I stared at the oxygen mask over Miley's face, the tube now thankfully gone that was helping her breath. "She has everyone from my family and right now Miley needs me here."

"Nick maybe you should go see Demi, I know you're worried about her too."

I looked at Brandi and then around the room staring at Emily, Oliver, Sam, Noah and Billy all asleep. I turned back to Miley scared because what if I left and something happened, like she woke up or something went terribly wrong. I didn't want to lose any moment with her, because I'd been so close to not having anymore time with her and I didn't want to lose another second.

The door opened as I turned to see the doctor giving us a look,

"Hey, how you two going?" He questioned quietly.

He walked over to the end of the bed picking up the sheets as a nurse followed. I shrugged as Brandi smiled, "Okay, waiting for her to wake up again. It should be soon right?"

The doctor nodded, "Most likely, she seems to be waking up every two hours…"

He put down the sheets and exchanged a look with the nurse,

"What's wrong?" I asked quickly,

"Can you wake up your family for me?" He asked Brandi,

My eyes widened in panic as Brandi opened her mouth but didn't respond. She finally gave a small nod and moved over waking up her siblings first, before Oliver, Sam and then Billy. They all remained silent rubbing their eyes confused, readjusting to their surroundings and the bright afternoon sun which now flickered through the blinds.

"I'm sorry to wake you so early, but the police called…"

"And?" Billy asked stifling a yawn,

"The footage they've received is a little hard to see, and the witness reported something we weren't told last night." The doctor announced carefully as Billy frowned confused, "You're daughter...she may have been sexually abused."

Sexually abused?

The two words hit me like a truck, so much so I had to grasp the chair from falling off it. My stomach swirled and I instantly felt sick to the point where I was almost gagging, he'd done what to her?

"What?" Billy whispered,

I saw the fear in his face as the doctor sighed, "We're not sure, we need to run tests and you can't be present for that. I'm sorry, you will all have to leave. It's just we need to do it within twenty four hours or we'll never know…" The doctor stated seriously,

I closed my eyes biting my lip. I wanted to scream, to yell at everyone for letting this happen to her because she didn't deserve this. Instead though I kept my lips closed and clenched my fists knowing that justice would be served to Liam and his friends for what they had done to my fiancé. I heard a startled cry of shock and a few sobs as I opened my eyes to see Noah crying,

"Was it Liam?" Brandi managed to ask,

The doctor shrugged, "They wouldn't tell me,"

"What will happen if she has been…?" Emily asked then stopped,

"We'll discuss that if we need to okay?"

Emily nodded her face drained of color as the doctor looked at us expectantly. I stood up first and kept my fists clenched as I leaned over pressing my lips against Miley's temple kissing it gently.

"I'll be back soon baby,"

I stepped away as we all reluctantly left the room. I noticed Billy's whole face had fallen and the once strong fatherly man I recognized had been replaced of one of a scared child. He's lip was quivering and as he hugged Noah lightly a few tears rolled down his face,

"Go see Demi Nick," Brandi stated.

"No I-"

I looked at her and she nodded, "Go see Demi, tell her we all love her. And for all I care lie and tell her nothing about Miley, I don't want any more stress being put on her shoulders right now."

I nodded feeling a tug of agreement, I knew I had to see Demi and wanted to see her desperately but at the same time I couldn't leave Miley. Brandi's hand grasped my arm while my lip quivered, "Nick she's gonna be okay, no matter what we'll get her through this. Right now though you can't help, so go see Demi okay?"

I nodded knowing she was right. I couldn't stand here knowing what Liam had done to Miley without losing control. I needed to go and see Demi, my best friend, and try and find reason again before I returned back here.

"I'll be back,"

"We know," Emi whispered simply.

I nodded and moved away slowly feeling my gut wrenching with hatred and sadness I wanted to release. I kept walked though, I knew where Demi's room was and after a short elevator ride and a few confusing corridors I got to the door.

I sucked in a breath and opened it gently preparing myself for more grief,

"If it's a girl I'm thinking summer,"

"And if it's not?"

"I want a girl, it's a girl for sure." Demi announced,

I listened to her voice and sighed in relief as I moved into the room. Eyes instantly caught mine as I looked at mom who gave me a questioning look which I ignored and moved further in.

"Nick!"

I turned staring at Demi a small sad smile plastered on her face, but she still had the little smirk and bright shine in her eyes. Joe spun around and got up looking at me, without a word he brought me into a hug.

"How is she?" He whispered in my ear,

I kept my lips sealed and broke away from the hug unable to respond. Mom instantly pulled me into one as well, but I didn't bother answering because right now I didn't know what to say. She let me go and I pulled away looking at Demi,

"I'm sorry I couldn't be here earlier, I came as soon as I could." I lied,

I leaned down and kissed her cheek as she put her hand on my back, her face weary...

"It's okay," Demi whispered as I looked at her red eyes.

"I'm so sorry Demi."

Her smile fell and she nodded, "It's okay, Frankie will look after my little boy." She whispered a little teary, "Plus I still have one niece for you to be an uncle to Nick. We got to worry about her now."

"Or nephew," Joe noted trying his best attempt at a smile.

I looked to see him staring at Demi adoringly but still with a glimpse of worry. Demi however rolled her eyes and smiled happily, she was being brave and underneath the smile I could see her pain but at the moment she was dealing. Demi was making the best out of a bad situation, if only I could do the same,

"So where is the rest of the gang?"

"Left me to have breakfast," Demi stated, "I forced them too."

"And the doctor-"

"Said I'm fine, the baby is fine, and everything is okay."

I sighed in relief, "That's great Demi,"

She nodded smoothing out the bed sheets, "Hopefully the rest of the pregnancy is a little less dramatic," She stated quietly.

"It will be, we're all going to look after you."

Demi smiled at me, "So where have you been?"

I opened my mouth to respond and frowned unsure of what to say,

"He's been with Miley." Joe announced quietly.

Demi's eyes widened in surprise, "Really? You found her? How is she?"

I hesitated trying to find the right word as I attempted to smile again.

"Good," I lied,

I saw the relief fill her expression, "So she's with her family?"

"Yeah she is,"

"Good, I still want her to be godmother once she's off the drugs."

I couldn't help but look away again feeling sick at the image of her in my head, so broken and destroyed. "So the doctor said I can go home tomorrow morning." Demi announced not noticing my sudden change of expression,

"That's great," I whispered.

"Nick can I have a word outside?" Joe asked suddenly as Demi frowned confused, "Promise it'll be real quick Dem, I just got to ask Nick a small favor to do with work."

"But he quit!"

"I know, that's why it's only a small favor."

Demi rolled her eyes, "Fine come back soon, I want Nick's opinion on names for the baby."

"I will,"

I stood up and gave Demi a smile which she returned as mom gave me a concerned look. We walked out in silence but the second the door closed Joe just stared at me and I felt my lip quivering,

"How is she Nick? Is she-"

I felt the sob come from my lips as I closed my eyes letting more or them out. Joe groaned and pulled his arms around me, "She keeps waking up and then she's not awake…the doctor said she's fighting but Joe she's gotten so weak. We've had to watch her for hours now, waking up so confused only to fall unconscious a second late. It's so hard to see her so…vulnerable. I know the doctor said she's making progress but every time she fades again, I'm so scared she won't wake back up."

Joe let go of me staring down annoyed, "Nick don't doubt her,"

"I'm not, I just-"

"She'll be fine!"

"They think he raped her." I announced,

Joe's expression instantly fell as I heard something hit the ground. I looked behind to see the rest of my family, and a coffee now on the floor where Danielle had dropped it. They all just stared at me,

"I need to go back to her, can you tell Demi I-"

Joe nodded, "No problem, you stay with her okay. We can look after Demi. I can look after Demi."

I nodded and without another word turned around heading back towards Miley.

Miley.

"Here just have a sip okay, no more than a sip."

A cup was pressed against my lips as I took a quick mouthful greedily trying to quench my dry throat. I heard a huff in response, "I said a sip Miley, that was not a sip." The plastic left my lips as I swallowed,

It hurt like hell but I didn't have the strength to complain as someone ran their fingers gently through my hair trying to calm me. A few confused tears were falling but at least for the first time I felt a little bit more normal. I'd woken a few minutes ago and for the first time I opened my eyes and focused on people around me, my sisters, my dad, they all looked so scared.

Noah had rushed to get the doctor while they'd tried to ask me questions, but I just felt too confused and disorientated to answer anything right now. I felt like I was a cloud drifting alongside the world, but not actually in it.

"Miley hun can you tell me if anything is hurting?"

"I'm just tired," I whispered hoarsely my eyes firmly closed now,

"I know, just stay awake a little longer…"

"Why?" I asked groggy,

"So the doctor can do some tests," Brandi whispered.

I nodded as I felt both my hands grasped, "Can you squeeze my hands,"

I lightly moved my fingers but they were so numb, I squeezed as hard as could still but it was hardly anything at all. "Right good job Miley, now I'm going to flash a light in you eyes okay?"

My eyes were opened as the light instantly blinded me. The light moved away as I managed to keep my eyes open watching my sister giving me a weak smile as I frowned,

"Where am I?"

"Miley you're in hospital, I told you that remember?"

I did, but I didn't know why.

I closed my eyes again as I heard a sigh, "Do you remember what happened?"

"I wanna go home now, I'm tired."

"I know Miles, you can't go home right now. Do you remember anything?"

I felt a few tears slip as I shook my stiff neck, "I just wanna go home,"

Someone kissed me lightly on the head, "We'll take you home soon Miley," Dad whispered in my ear, "As soon as the drug is out of you system and the doctor says you're all good we'll go home okay?"

"Okay, how'd I get here?" I slurred,

I heard him sigh worried, "Don't worry about that right now," The doctor responded.

"Where's Nick?" Noah asked,

"He went to see Demi?"

"Nick?" I asked coughing a little,

"Yeah he's been here since you came in Miley," Emily responded.

"Why? I hate him, he ruined my life."

I heard more sighs as I tried to sit up only for someone to push me back down. "No, you're not going anywhere, so stay and relax. What is the last thing you remember?" I heard the doctor ask as I tried to remember,

I racked my brain, trying to find something that stood out as panic started to grow within me. Why couldn't I remember how I got here? I felt more tears begin falling as I let out a chocked sob and someone rubbed my arm,

"It's okay, what do you remember?"

Hitting Nick. That's the last thing I could remember.

"The restaurant," I whispered, "With Demi, I slapped him…"

"What?" Noah asked,

"She slapped me." His voice announced.

"Nick." Dad stated, "She only just woke up a few minutes ago,"

"And-"

I felt his hand take my own as I instantly pulled it away my lip quivering.

There was deadly silence as I heard Nick's familiar sigh, "Miley I'm sorry, how many times do I have to tell you how sorry I am?" He asked as I turned my head away from him, why was he here?

"She should be fine," The doctor announced, "She's a lot better this time."

"Completely fine?"

"I'm hoping for a full physical recovery, we'll have to wait still. I'll let you talk to her, maybe you can try and explain what happened." I heard the unfamiliar doctor's voice announce, "Try and make it simple, we still haven't got the results from the…yeah just keep it brief."

"Daddy?" I whispered,

"Yeah hun, I'm right here."

"I don't want him here."

"Who Miley?"

"Nick, I don't want him here,"

I heard dad sigh again, "Miley, Nick's been really good, he hasn't left your side. Just let him say he's sorry Miley, hear him out okay?" He asked as I felt Nick's soft hand move into mine again.

"Miley please," Nick begged, "Please, I'm sorry."

I could hear the strain in his voice, the tears I could almost see.

"I love you, and I was so scared you weren't going to be okay,"

"What happened to me?" I asked, "Why am I here?"

"Liam drugged you Miley," Nick responded,

"What?"

"Hun," Brandi whispered tentatively, "You've been hanging out with your old friend since you hit Nick and…they've been getting you drunk then drugging you. You're going to be okay though, you just had an allergic reaction, you didn't overdose like last time."

I froze taking everything in as I opened my eyes staring into the chocolate ones hovering over me. I looked at the bloodshot eyes and tears, as I turned to see the same scared looks replicated around the room.

"I don't believe you." I stated confused, "Liam's my friend..."

"Miley they arrested him, he's going to jail," Em murmured.

I closed my eyes shaking my head, "No, no he wouldn't hurt me!"

"He did Miley!" Nick spat, "He hurt you so badly and just because you don't remember doesn't mean it didn't happen!"

"No he-"

"He hurt you more than I ever did, yet still you want to forgive him?"

"Nick," Dad warned,

I let out a sob confused, "I wanna go home."

"Miley it's okay,"

"No this isn't happening!" I responded, "It's not."

"Miley I love you, I'm so sorry." Nick suddenly announced,

There was silence, as everyone waited for my response but honestly I didn't know how to react. I didn't want to believe them, but why would they lie? I trusted Liam, he was my friend, why would he hurt me? And now Nick was telling me he loved me? After waiting to hear it for so long? Wasn't he with Selena now? I was so confused and I couldn't deal with all of this so suddenly, so I did the one and only thing I could think of...

"I want you to leave Nick,"

"Nick she doesn't mean it." Brandi whispered, "She's just confused."

"It's okay, I'll go." He responded painfully.

"Nick-"

"It's fine, I'll just come see you when you're out of the hospital."

"Don't bother," I responded quickly,

"Miley-"

"Okay I'll go-"

"Nick-"

"It's fine," He announced his voice cracking,

I listened to the door open and then slam closed as I opened my eyes again seeing all my family glaring at me. "Miley you have no idea how much he loves you, how worried he's been. Miley, Demi's in hospital too, but Nick chose to be here with you, the entire time." Brandi informed me,

I closed my eyes, "You don't understand…" I murmured,

"What's to understand Miley?" Dad asked,

I didn't respond and decided I didn't want to talk to them anymore, they were only making me upset. Right now I just needed to piece together what had happened because I was in hospital, Liam had supposedly drugged me and everyone wanted me to forgive Nick. It was just too much to handle and right now I just wanted to be on my own, away from all of this.

"Miley?" Dad questioned as Brandi sighed,

"And now she's asleep again,"

"She's just confused, don't be mad at her."

"I'm not it's just…she's throwing away the best thing in her life."

"Just let her settle, let her adjust okay?"

"Problem is how long will that take?" Noah asked, "Because Nick won't hang around forever,"

"You never know, he might." Dad muttered sadly.

I heard the door open again but I didn't bother to open my eyes,

"Test results are back-"

"And?"

"Thankfully he didn't rape her."

My eyes flew open as I stared around, "What? He what?"

A/N- Thanks for the reviews guys :) Sorry for the delay blame ff it wouldn't let me post this until today! Although I'm loving the new layout so I'll forgive the site :) xx