DISCLAIMER: I do NOT own Wizards Of Waverly Place or its characters. Those rights belong to Disney and associates. I am NOT making any monetary profit from this.

A/N: Sorry for the late update. I've been working. You know, trying to get that dough to pay the bills? But I did manage to find some time to write up a new chapter. Funny thing about the chapter(s). When I first envisioned this story, I had it planned for at least 5 maybe 6 chapters, tops. But, as I began to write... well, the story took a life of its own and I don't think I can end it as soon as I had originally planned. This chapter was supposed to be the last, but... nope. So, here's the next chapter! :)

Someone To Save Me

Elm Treigh

6.

With Alex's help, Dean felt confident he would get to the bottom of Carmen's troubles. For the past few weeks, he had desisted from questioning Carmen about her injuries and had tried not to be obvious in watching her. He became completely nonchalant, completely casual with her. He aimed to have her believe he wanted to go back to the way things were. Before he observed her wounds and was suspicious of her. He made the effort to give off the vibe that he accepted her silence and he will no longer pester her about them. Though, secretly, Dean was smiling inside, feeling triumphant that he will find out what is wrong with her and whoever has been hurting his best friend into a silence unbecoming by her, will definitely be feeling a pain of their own. Alex was his secret weapon to this unwanted war of secrecy. Yes. He was very confident with Alex on his side.

What Dean did not anticipate, however, was the strength of his connection with Carmen. Their bond was as thick as an elephant's skin. It was this tie that had Carmen just as suspicious of Dean's intentions as he was of her bruises. Carmen was no fool. She knew full well that Dean's seemingly disinterested behavior wasn't because he had given up. She knew he was determined to reveal the truth one way or another and she knew he would use any means he may come by. It was set in his dark eyes the day he "abducted" her from Justin and Zeke's company. It was that same determination that made her cautious around him.

True; weeks have passed since that encounter, and yes, she did hope, even pray, that maybe Dean would accept the way things were, but unfortunately, he hasn't. And now, Alex was sticking to her like glue and she was sure it wasn't because she had gotten over her jealousy of her friendship with Dean.

Carmen sighed. Dean asked Alex to help him. It was obvious to her, no matter how subtle they believed themselves to be. She now prayed, that neither Justin or Max were in on this little investigation run by her oldest of friends. She wasn't sure she could keep anything from either of them. She sighed, feeling defeated.

"Hey Carmen!" chirped Justin as he ran to meet Carmen by her locker.

Carmen smiled widely. She didn't want Justin to pick up on her defeatist attitude. She had grown very fond of Justin. He was the perfect diversion to her problems. Something about him always made her smile. She found herself drawn to him whenever he was near. She always felt wanted by him and she liked that feeling.

"Hey Justin!" She replied giving him a hug which Justin returned happily. "What's up?"

"I was just wondering..." Justin trailed looking away nervously as a tint of pink colored his cheeks.

"Yes?" Carmen inquired, curious, and amused.

"You know there's this... The school fair is approaching." He stated lamely.

"Oh yeah! I know. I'm so excited! I've always loved fairs. They're so much fun! It's the day after tomorrow, right?" She asked.

"Right. I mean, yes. I mean, no. It's tomorrow. Uh... Well... Anyway, I was wondering if maybe you'd like to... uh..." Justin answered becoming nervous.

"Are you trying to ask me to go to the fair with you?" She asked, surprised. Justin nodded, relieved that she understood. "Like a date?" Justin blushed redder and nodded. This time it was Carmen's turn to blush.

Carmen shifted in her stance, the heat in her face becoming hotter and hard to bear. Justin fidgeted with his school books, unsure of what to do next, but also feeling quite pleased with himself for finding the courage to ask Carmen out on a date. He had been wanting to ask her out for a while and he had decided today was the day. However, the awkward lull was... well... awkward for him. For her.

Neither understood the pregnant silence. They were good friends. They enjoyed one another's company. They both new they were attracted to each other, informed by other's. Why was there this discomfiture between the two?

So, Justin had made the first move. She had wanted him to take the initiative. She had wanted him to ask her out on a date. She was too shy to do it herself. Actually, she was brought up that the boy should ask the girl out. It was the traditional way. Her mother and, specially, her father had always told her it was that way and it should always be that way. Boy is interested in girl. Boy courts girl. Girl responds to respectable advances. Boy and girl are united romantically. The traditional way of a gentleman. As her dad had once said.

Justin was a gentleman. How could he not be? He was kind, intelligent, considerate, and polite. Not to mention very good-looking. Most gentlemen were good-looking, right? Justin had all those qualities and then some.

In truth, she felt it was about time he made a move. She didn't want to wait forever. She had resolved to herself that if Justin didn't take the reigns than she would, despite the protests her parent's would have made. She was glad she didn't have to resort to that. In fact, she was thrilled, now that the trivial detail of her somewhat shock washed away.

"I'd love to go with you, Justin!" Carmen exclaimed cheerfully. Justin lit up. "But..." and then he frowned.

"But?" He asked disbelievingly. He was so close!

"But I'd have to ask my brother for permission. He's kind of strict," She explained, subconsciously rubbing her left shoulder, where the new set of bruises on top of her still healing bruises were. A gesture Justin noticed.

"How strict?" He asked, eying her shoulder as she continued to gently rub it.

He briefly recalled overhearing a conversation between Alex and Dean. A conversation concerning Carmen and her new daily attire. He remembered he heard Dean say something along the lines of Carmen hiding black and blue bruises but that she refused to say where or how she acquired such injuries other than her uncoordinated self.

Carmen quickly stopped the motion she made, kicking herself internally for doing such a thing without thinking, knowing that she was constantly scrutinized. Time for some mild damage control.

"Pretty strict. Like ground me for life strict," She laughed.

Justin didn't seem convinced and Carmen could see he was suspicious. For the first time she saw doubt in his eyes. She bit her lip and continued her attempt at explaining away the movement, "C'mon Justin. I-I just meant that seeing as I'm all he has in the States and... And since our relatives don't speak to him and all... I-I mean, i-it would make sense for him to be a little protective of me, right? I'm his baby sister." She finished, wishing she hadn't stuttered on her explanation.

Justin nodded, lost in thought. He heard the desperate want for him to believe her in the tone of her voice amongst the stuttering. However, he knew better than to interrogate her. He had seen how she avoided Dean like the plague for displaying an ounce of worry for her well being. He didn't want her to to shun him from her life.

Instead, he smiled at her, nodded, and said, "OK. Well, let me know what he says?"

Carmen agreed, feeling relieved that Justin hadn't questioned her further. She had been racking her brains out for an on-the-spot excuse, in case he decided to go in deeper. She was aware that he wasn't a part of the detective work that Dean and Alex were in, although he might just want to enlist himself on the team, now, with her tactless action. She cursed herself, again, for doing without thinking. Argh! She thought angrily to herself.

She was beginning to feel trapped within herself. She appreciated everyone's concern for her. Really, she did. But she needed to deal with this problem on her own. She wanted her brother to see, to understand, that she will keep this a secret from everyone, even from the people she cared most about; just so he could open his eyes and see how much she loved him. She could wait it out. She will not give up on her brother. Her parent's gave up on him long ago, and now that they were dead, it was up to her to redeem her parent's honor in her brother's eyes as well as bring closure to him. She will not quit on him.

She also realized, that by steering clear from the people that cared about her that she was setting herself up for solitude. She had wanted to be alone before, when her parent's died. But that was prior to the fact that she would be living with her brother. Now, all she wanted was to be around someone, always, particularly Justin.

She didn't want to be estranged from Justin. He was quickly becoming the reason for her happiness. He made her feel like herself. She needed him. He was the only friend she had at the moment. He was the only warmth in her cold life. She didn't think she could stand losing him because of her lies. Her secret.

If she slipped up again, especially around Justin or Max, she knew she wouldn't be able to lie. It was killing her inside to lie to Dean, and now that she found she would have to give Justin the same unfortunate courtesy, due to the uncertainty in his eyes, was chipping away at her. She cared too much about him to disrespect him that way, but she had no choice. She'll just have to be more careful.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

"Did you ask her?" Alex asked Justin as they sat in silence in their living room.

Justin had revealed to her that morning that he was intending on asking Carmen to accompany him to the school fair. She was glad he had finally decided to step out of his shy shell and make a move. She was, on the other hand, not too pleased with Dean's reaction when she relayed the news to him. His jaw had clenched, his eyes narrowed, and his breathing accelerated. When she pointed this out to him, he explained it away as feeling very protective of Carmen, specifically now that he's seen she's been hurt by someone. Dean was certain that someone was hurting her. He just wished he knew who. Alex was still doubtful, though curious.

Justin nodded as his response. "And...?" Alex asked feeling put out.

"She said yes, but―"

" 'But' what?" She interrupted.

"But she has to ask her brother's permission. She said that he was a little strict." He shrugged, seemingly indifferent.

Alex raised a brow. She had been watching Carmen, just as she promised, and observed that Dean had been right. There was something wrong. She still had her doubts, but she also couldn't deny that there was something wrong.

Carmen had closed up to everyone except Justin and Max. She had isolated herself from Dean. Not that Alex minded that too much. But Dean was visibly upset and was frequently distracted worrying for Carmen. Alex didn't like that, but she disliked more than anything to see Dean upset.

There was also the fact that Carmen's attire continued to be the same. She was still covered from head to toe, even on nice, warm, sunny days. Alex slumped, disappointed that her excuse of Carmen's possibility of covering up a rash was the reason she was wearing so many layers of clothing, was a definite out. She'd seen Carmen flinch if anyone touched her arms, or wince if someone patted her on the back or any where for that matter. She'd even take her time to sit as though she were in discomfort regularly. These were the evidence she was able to attain from her secret agent work. And with the news of her brother being a little strict, well...

"What did she mean that he was a little strict?" She asked, interested, looking his way.

Justin stared at Alex. He was beginning to feel Alex had a hidden agenda. He saw Alex doing her best to be near Carmen consistently, though he knew very well that she was not over Dean's close friendship with Carmen. He's noticed Alex watching Carmen suspiciously like a spy trying to uncover some classified information from the enemy. Or how she would confer with Dean afterwards if or when she did obtain vital information. He had long since known that Dean and Alex were up to something, typically after he overheard what exactly it was they were looking for. Well, he was not going to be a part of their investigation. Not if he wanted to commence a romantic relationship with Carmen.

"She just meant that since she's all he has, logically, he would be a little protective of her. Although," he trailed, recollecting the image of Carmen rubbing her left shoulder as if she were hurt.

" 'Although' what?" Alex asked, picking up on Justin's hesitance.

She knew of Justin's inquisitive nature and was sure he knew something and since it happened to be revolving, if only slightly, around Carmen, then she must know. For Dean's sake. For the sake of her relationship with Dean.

"Nothing. It's nothing," He said dismissively.

"Justin, what? C'mon, tell me!" She asked desperately.

"Nothing, Alex. Really," He replied as he stood and walked away from her, toward the stairs, leading to his room.

Alex followed, immediately. "Justin, if you know something or saw something, I need to know."

"Know what? There's nothing to tell, Alex. Besides, why do you care? You don't even like Carmen?" He stated as he walked into his room, toward his bookcase, retrieving a book he had been reading the day before. He sat in the middle of his bed, perched against his bed stand, one leg over the other. He began to read his book.

Alex glared at Justin, standing underneath the door frame. She did not not like Carmen. She was just a little jealous that she knows her boyfriend better than she did. She was jealous of how much Dean cared for her. How her brothers care so much for her. How everyone seemed to care so much about her! She did not dislike Carmen. She was just really, very envious of her. She's never been envious of anyone. Not even Gigi. But Carmen was a different story. She had her jealous in a way that she hadn't been. Not since Riley, though, she admits that was probably a different kind of jealousy.

"I don't not like her!" She exclaimed offended as she walked in further in the room.

Justin looked up from his book, mildly surprised to see Alex in his room, intent on prolonging their pointless conversation. Fine. He'll amuse her. He bookmarked the page to his book before closing it, and setting it down on his bed beside him. He leaned back on his bed stand, putting his hands behind his head, and stared at his sister.

"You don't not like her? So, you do like her?"

"That's what I said."

"You have a funny way of showing it, Alex" He scoffed.

"Oh right. Well, excuse me for not being in love with her like you!" She countered.

Justin responded by shrugging. Alex clenched her teeth. What's going on here? Normally, Justin would be the one offended and red in the face, stuttering to find an escape to her accusations. But it was her who was felling put out and desperate.

"Justin, you don't understand. Dean and I are―" But Alex was interrupted with the ringing of Justin's cell phone. She saw him checking who it was, got all excited, and answered. It must be Carmen. She thought.

"Hey, Carmen!" He answered enthusiastically.

Alex narrowed her eyes at Justin, but Justin just ignored her by turning away from her. Alex rolled her eyes exasperated, and made her way to the edge of his bed. She sat down. She will get what she needed from him. She could wait.

"Really? That's great! Do you want me to pick you up or... No? Yeah, we could do that... I don't know. Probably. Is that a problem?... Are you sure?... OK! I'll see you tomorrow then!" He said hanging up the phone.

"Good news?" She asked sarcastically, picking off lint from Justin's bedspread.

"He said she could go." He confirmed.

"Great." She responded, also, indifferently.

"Are we done, here?" Justin asked, picking up his book.

"No." Alex answered childishly.

Justin sighed. "Look, Alex. I really like Carmen."

"I know. I like her too, Justin. Which is why I need you to tell me if you saw something or heard something or if she told you anything." She tried again.

Justin looked away, contemplating whether he should or shouldn't tell Alex about Carmen and her shoulder. He settled on telling her what he saw. He liked Carmen, and he didn't want her to feel betrayed by him, but at the same time she never once told him not to tell anyone what he's noticed himself. And he didn't like that she seemed in constant pain. He noticed the way Carmen would flinch and wince just as Alex had, and he too was making deductions in his head of the possibilities of the reasons behind her injuries. He agreed with Dean that day he overheard him talking with his sister. Carmen was not getting hurt by herself. Someone was hurting her.

"Alright, Alex. I'll tell you."

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

She arrived at the Russo's sandwich shop a few minutes later than was planned. She didn't want Jesse to meet Justin when Justin offered to pick her up. She was afraid of what Jesse's reaction would be, or worse, what if he changed his mind upon meeting Justin. No. It was safer if she met him at his family's restaurant.

She walked in, caught Justin's eye, and made her way toward him, not bothering to look anywhere else. She was entranced by his gray eyes. Justin was the light at the end of the tunnel. He would be her safety net, her comfort, her blankie. He may not know it, but she was beginning to fall for him more, and she was falling hard. She had enjoyed his company very much, while she had been avoiding Dean and Alex. He made her feel better. He respected her privacy and he never insisted on anything she wouldn't want. He was the hope she so desperately needed. He was her light; as cheesy as that sounds, he was.

She reached him and smiled. Justin returned the smile. Carmen felt herself swoon. Those eyes! She adored those eyes! She wished she were a poet, or anything, so that she could describe how intensely she felt about the way he looked at her.

"Hey," She said.

"Hey," He replied.

"Hey!" answered a third voice, quickly followed by three other voices repeating the word.

Carmen came out of her trance, feeling the betrayal of crimson blush creeping on her cheeks down to her neck. She turned toward th voices and was faced with Alex, Max, Harper, and Dean.

"Oh hey, guys! I didn't see you there," She said looking away. Most likely, for an escape.

"We know," answered Harper icily.

She wasn't upset with Carmen. No, she couldn't be. Carmen had the courtesy to come to her and have a talk with her about Justin and how she felt about him. She asked for her "blessing", so to say which she gave, hesitantly. Harper appreciated Carmen for doing that. It was kind of her to think of her and her feelings before she made a definite move on the boy she really likes. It was Justin she was angry with. He didn't even consider her feelings. It didn't seem fair.

"Sorry, I'm late," She began. "Believe it or not, I couldn't decide on what to wear." She laughed.

It was true. She really couldn't decide on what to wear. She wanted to look nice for Justin but she didn't want him to get the wrong impression of her. She didn't want to look as though she was just hanging out with him. She wanted to look as though she were on a date.

Her hair, being so long and thick, was one of the reasons for her tardiness. She managed to curl her hair perfectly and put half up with a clip her mother gave her. She, also, needed to find a way to hide the bruises. She was glad that she would finally be able to show a little more skin than she had been. The bruises on her arms didn't extend down to her wrists this time, so she wore a purple elbow length shirt with a short gray and black vest over the shirt. And since the bruises also didn't cover her legs entirely, she was able to wear a black skirt reaching a few inches above her knees. Her outfit was complete with her black and purple high tops.

"You look great!" answered Justin, Max, and Dean.

The three stared at each other. Max stared at Justin, feeling put out, before looking away. Justin stared at Dean, slightly embarrassed, before he too, looked away. Dean glared at Justin, jaw clenched, before he followed Justin and Max's example and also looked away. An uncomfortable silence shadowed the moment.

Alex stood closer to Dean, took hold of his hand, and stared daggers at Carmen. Carmen, who was blushing a different kind of embarrassment, looked at the exit sign, and then at the door underneath it. She saw herself fleeing from them.

Maybe she should leave. Maybe going to the school's fair with the Russo's, Harper, and Dean was a bad idea. What if they discover her secret? She knew Dean, Alex, and Justin were suspicious of the bruises. There were so many ways she could slip up and accidentally reveal the truth. She would have to watch herself which would take away some of the fun she could have.

This night could turn out to be a disaster. She didn't want that. She wanted it to be perfect. It was her and Justin's first date. She had been waiting for him to ask her out and now it could all be ruined because of her secret. How were they going to enjoy the night with Dean hovering over her and Alex hovering over Dean? Maybe this was a really bad idea and she should cancel.

Justin, as if feeling Carmen's reluctance and need for escape, grabbed her hand and gave it an encouraging squeeze. He wanted her to know that he was there for her. Carmen felt her doubts and fears evaporate instantly. She looked up at the smiling Justin. She grinned back, gratitude visible in her eyes. Everything would be alright as long as Justin was by her side.

"Let's go," He said, breaking the silence.

A/N: Sorry if the chapter seems short. You have to remember, I've been working. There's not much time for me to devote myself fully on this story when the economy is the way it is. *Sigh*