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: I apologize for the late update. I've been working crazy hours and I haven't felt all that great. I'm not sick. I've just injured myself. It hurts typing this, believe it or not. *sigh* It's what I get for being such a klutz, and trust me I'm a major klutz. LOL. It wouldn't be a normal day for me if I'm not stumbling over something, walking into something, bumping into someone/something, or tripping over my feet or air. So, at the moment it's my shoulder that's bothering me, which makes it difficult to write/type. But I had to upload the next chapter. Especially, since, I can feel this story coming to an end. (And this time I mean it! Ha ha!) Anyway, here's the next chapter! Enjoy!

Someone To Save Me

Elm Treigh

9.

"Carmen! Wait!" Justin cried out.

It was too late, however. Carmen was long gone. She didn't even bother herself to look back. He scowled and rounded his attention to Alex.

"Alex, what are you doing here, anyway?" He asked her.

"I followed you here," She simply said.

"I know, but why?" Justin asked, rolling his eyes.

"I don't know. I was curious," She shrugged.

Justin breathed out, heatedly. He knew why Alex followed him, and curiosity was partly the reason. She was doing what Dean asked of her, and that was to watch Carmen for any signs of abuse. Abuse that he and everyone suspected Carmen had endured and had been hiding. Although, Alex had no real interest in watching Carmen for any particular reason, her need to please the boyfriend she is afraid to lose, and a small amount of real curiosity, got the better of her. It was this that caused Carmen to leave in much worse conditions than before.

"What were you two doing under the bleachers and why was Carmen wet and topless?" Alex asked, a twinkle of mischief in her eyes.

Justin rolled his eyes at the maturity his younger sister possesses. He knew he wasn't that smooth with the ladies but did she have to mock every attempt he made with them? Any and/or all of them?

"It's not what you think," He said, walking back to the fair. To his annoyance, Alex followed.

"It looked like she was wet and topless," Alex repeated, smiling.

"Gigi and her friends poured their drinks and threw their food on Carmen. The lines for the ladies room were too long, so Carmen took me to the visitors bleachers, so that she can wash up," He explained, feeling irritated.

"OK? So, why was she topless?" Alex asked again.

"Because she was going to change into my shirt."

"Why didn't you just buy her a shirt from the many T-Shirt stands here at the fair, and have her change into one of them in the restrooms? All she had to do was walk right in and use the sink, right? The lines don't matter all that much."

Justin stopped and turned to repute but blushed once the thought registered, and instead said, "I didn't think of that."

"And they say you're the smart one," Alex snorted.

They returned to the fair, Alex feeling smug, with a smile to match, and Justin was feeling a bit embarrassed and blushed. How could he have allowed Carmen to drag him to a somewhat secluded area, just so that she can clean up and change? Alex had been right. Carmen didn't need to wait in line. All she had to do was walk in, and wash up by the sink, and change into the shirt. He smiled a small smile. He knew why he permitted such a ludicrous act. Any teenage boy would have gone along with what ever Carmen asked of. Especially if it involved Carmen removing her clothes and her getting wet. He chuckled and blushed a deeper shade.

"Where were you?" Dean asked as he approached the siblings.

He noticed them coming in from the field and was curious as to why Alex had ditched him so stealthly, after she'd been trying all night to stick to him like glue. He probably should have paid more attention to her as a good boyfriend should, but he couldn't. Not while Carmen was lovey-dovey with Justin Russo. He wanted her to be safe. He wanted her to want to be with him like she used to when they were kids. Since the moment he saw her, and recognized who she was, all he could think of was his first kiss, and how comfortable he felt when he was with her. He enjoyed Alex's company as well, no question about that. But he had history with Carmen.

"I was―" Alex began nervously.

"She was spying on Carmen. Just like you asked her to," Justin answered, a look of disgust directed at Dean.

Dean glanced at Alex before Justin's disgusted look clicked in his head. He turned to stare at Justin. Why was Justin looking at him like he were a pathetic excuse of a man? He was just doing what any worried friend would do. And that is to look out for the one(s) they cared about. Granted, the one he cared about didn't want him to look out for her, but he had no other alternative.

Carmen was avoiding him every which way she can. She wouldn't return his calls. She'd hide from him at school by dodging any attempts he would make to speak to her. She wouldn't even look at him or smile at him like she used to. He missed her smiles. Her bright, fun, kind, genuine smiles full of optimism and hope.

He had to spy, sneak, and lie to protect her. It was for her own good. What other choices did he have? All he wanted was the old Carmen back. The Carmen that was always happy to see him and her friends. The old Carmen that had a friendly grin and kind words for anyone and everyone. The old Carmen that loved him. But now-a-days or weeks, she's closed up to everyone and not only that, but she's been hurt. He needed to find who's been hurting her, why 'they' were hurting her, and stop it.

"Where's Carmen?" He asked Alex, and then Justin, once he realized he didn't see her with either of the two.

"She went home," Justin answered, glaring at Alex. Apparently, he chooses to blame Alex for Carmen's early departure.

"What?" Dean exclaimed heatedly, looking from Alex to Justin to Alex and finally settling on Justin.

"She went home," Justin repeated, looking away.

"You let her walk home alone? At night? In New York?" Dean yelled into Justin's face.

Justin pushed Dean away from him. "I didn't have much of a choice, alright? She ran home crying."

"Crying? Why was she crying? What'd you do to her?" Dean asked, balling his fists up, ready to take a swing at Justin as he'd been wanting to from the moment he saw him holding Carmen's hand. Alex sensed this and stepped in between, her back facing Dean.

"I didn't do anything!" Justin yelled back defensively, feeling indignant.

"You better hope you're telling me the truth, Justin Russo, or I swear to you..." He warned.

"Dean! Enough! Justin didn't do anything. Carmen was already upset. Gigi and her clones spilled their food and drinks on her," Alex said, hoping to put off Dean's fury from her brother. The last thing she wanted was a fight between the two young men she cared about the most. That and she wasn't in the mood to explain her brother's injuries to her parents.

Dean stared at Alex. He stepped away from the two, feeling angry. He knew he was too upset to be anywhere near the Russo's. Carmen wasn't with Justin. She went home, alone, at night, in a dangerous city, upset. If Justin cared about Carmen as he claimed he did, he would have found a way to stop her. He would have run after her. He was on the verge of going into fighting mode, and knew he needed to get away. He turned and left. He wasn't sure where he was going. All he knew was that he needed to remove himself from the siblings presence before he did something he would regret. Maybe he could go looking for Carmen.

Alex frowned. She took a step forward to follow him but Justin grabbed Alex's arm to stop her. She turned to face him.

"What?" She asked him harshly, jerking her arm from his grasp.

"Don't tell him what you saw at the bleachers," He said.

"Why not?"

"There's not enough proof," He said shrugging.

"Not enough proof? I saw the bruises!" She said, offended, folding her arms in front of her, defensively.

"Pfftt. Like that's going to be enough," Justin scoffed.

"Pfftt! It's more than enough! Dean's seen them, too! And what about her clothes? She's still wearing clothes that cover her body! And she's still avoiding people," She insisted.

"She was wearing a skirt tonight," He reminded her. "And Dean saw those bruises a long time ago. As far as he knows, the bruises he saw are long gone. It's not enough."

"Oh, so now you're a detective?" She mocked.

"Think about it, Alex. If you go and tattle to Dean what you saw without real, sufficient proof, then he's going to be more worried than usual and spend all his time with her. Again. He cares a lot about Carmen, and you know that." He finished, brows raised in an attempt to emphasize his meaning.

Alex stood still at Justin's speech. He did have a point. Dean would freak at any assumption made about Carmen. He would go into protective mode with much more earnest. Justin was right, of course. But she wasn't about to let him know that. Suddenly, her cell phone rang. She picked it up.

"Hello?... Um... Sure? What do you need?" She said, awkwardly, turning away from Justin.

Justin stared, suspiciously at Alex. Whoever she was talking to didn't want him to know who it was. Then the bulb lit in his head. It must be Carmen! Carmen must have called her! But why would she call Alex and not him? Unless, she didn't want him involved. But why wouldn't she want to clue him in? They've been hanging out together almost from sunrise to sundown. He thought they had established a trust that could not easily be broken.

He inched closer to stand next to Alex. "Is that Carmen?" He whispered.

Alex looked up at Justin, and nodded. She put her index finger over her lips as a sign for him to keep quiet, before trying to shoo him away.

"Right now?... Where are you?... Already? That was quick. OK, sure, I'm on my way... No, don't worry. I won't tell him... I promise, but what about―?... Are you sure?... Well... Yeah... OK, then. We'll be there," She said, hanging up the phone.

"Was that Carmen?" Justin asked anxiously.

"Yes. Now, c'mon. We gotta go," She replied grabbing his arm and walked away with him.

"Where're we going?"

"Home."

"Why?"

"Carmen said she'd meet us."

"Why? Did something happen?"

Alex stopped just outside the gates. She turned around and placed her hands firmly on Justin's shoulders. She stared intently into his eyes, hoping that he would understand that it was important for him to shut up and just go home with her. Carmen sounded very upset and she needed the both of them. Justin gave a curt nod of acknowledgment. He saw the uregency in his sister's eyes. They continued.

"What about Dean?" Justin asked a few minutes later.

"She doesn't want him to know where she's at or what happened," She answered.

"Why not?"

"I don't know."

"What about Max and Harper?"

"Oh shit! Um... I'll call Harper and ask her to watch Max for us," She replied pulling her phone out.

She very quickly explained to Harper that she received a phone call from Carmen to meet her and Justin at their family's sandwich shop. That it was an emergency and to not tell Dean anything. Also, if she would do her a favor and keep an eye on Max and maybe walk him home when they were done having their fun. She promised she'd tell her everything once it was over. Then hung up the phone and got on the subway with Justin.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Carmen sighed, feeling exhausted, as she hugged herself. It was a chilly night and she was, technically speaking, barely clothed. All she was wearing was a thin sweater and a skirt. Not the best outfit for wandering around New York, at night, her hair still wet. She was feeling uncomfortable, now.

She rubbed gently at her face. It was sore and she could feel the swell of a new bruise form under her left eye. She sighed. Another bruise to hide. She hadn't realized Jesse had struck her so strongly. She licked her lips and winced. The corner of her lower lip was also swollen and she knew she had a small cut. He bit her pretty hard.

Hot tears began to distort her vision, until, finally they broke through and she was crying silently. Her brother had never accepted her. She hoped he would at least try to concede her presence, and they could move on from their past. No such luck, however.

For a while it seemed there were a chance. It had taken him days to get used to the idea of her coexisting with him, and just when there seemed to be some progress, he gets drunk one night and beats her. Sure, he'd apologize the next day, yet something managed to infuriate him, and he ends up beating her. Again. Her brother had beaten her almost from the moment they reunited.

It was turning into a vicious cycle, she suddenly realized. He'd either get drunk and beat her, or something she did, or say would anger him and he'd beat her, and the next day or the next few days were spent with him avoiding her due to shame or guilt, and then he would try to apologize in some way. And during his apology, another thing would find its way to bother him and the apology wouldn't happen. She could see that it had turned into a cycle, now. She was in denial before, but she sees it clearly now. And only she could end it.

Carmen wondered if she had the strength to end it. She wondered if she had been wrong in not telling someone what had been going on. Should she have told Dean the truth the day he caught her with the first few bruises on her arm? Should she have told Alex or Justin or anyone? Was she really that concerned to redeem herself in her brother's eyes? Did she really believe by keeping her injuries a secret that she was protecting him? Or was she still mourning her parent's death that she was hiding behind a blind love for her brother and her need to have closure with him? Her need for his need of her? Was that why she was enduring all the abuse? Because she wanted her family back? Because she wanted a family?

She briefly recalled a conversation she had with Ms. Libowics on the plane ride to New York:

"Listen Carmen. I know this is going to be hard for you. Leaving your friends behind. But I'll need you to be a good girl and a brave girl," Ms. Libowics began. "You're brother was... I hate to tell you, but he was... reluctant, in taking you in. He had his reasons. Reasons of which you may have a better clue, I suspect." She turned away from Carmen. She didn't want to admit that, but she felt honesty would be the best. "However, that doesn't particularly matter, since he did accept you. It just means you'll have to be a good girl. That's all"

Carmen nodded. She looked down at her hands. She was excited to see her brother again, but what Ms. Libowics revealed to her had hurt. She knew her brother would be hesitant in taking her in. She wouldn't blame him. She couldn't, really. Her father had been quite harsh and her mother didn't do anything to stop either male. She would have done something, had she known what to do, though she didn't. No, there was no way she could blame him for his reluctance to allow her, the past, reenter his life. She would have felt just as reluctant if she were him.

However, she'll show him that she loves him. That she's always loved him and missed him and thought of him every day and night. That he was in her prayers, always. She would show him that she didn't regard him the same way their father had and that she was willing to fight for him, unlike their mother. She would show him that she appreciates his hospitality. She could wait. She could be patient.

"Did he at least look a little excited to see me?" She asked, looking up to scrutinize Ms. Libowics' response.

Ms. Libowics saddened at the hope she heard in Carmen's voice. She took a chance at a white lie. "Of course he was, honey," She said, placing her hand over Carmen's.

Carmen nodded and looked away. She knew Ms. Libowics was lying. She could hear it in her voice. She could see it in her eyes. She smiled a bittersweet smile, despite how pathetic she felt. At least Ms. Libowics was trying to be somewhat honest with her. She had been from the moment they met. She liked that about Ms. Libowics. She appreciated the honest quality very much.

"Carmen?"

"Hmm?"

"Here."

Carmen stared at the extended hand reaching her. It was holding a card. She took it, curious as to what it could be. She turned it over and over in her hands, feeling the texture of the card, and seeing her name and number.

"What is it?" She asked, feeling insecure of what it truly was, before she noticed the words PHONE, FAX, and EMAIL on them. She turned the card over and saw the words CELL, written followed by the number itself. It was Ms. Libowics' contact information.

"It's my business card," She answered.

"Why are you giving me your contact information?"

"In case things don't work out," She replied, and then quickly added, "Or if you ever need me for anything."

"Need you? For what?" Carmen asked. She really had no idea what need she would have for a Social Worker.

"Anything. Remember, just because your parents appointed Jesse as your legal guardian, until you are of legal age that is, doesn't necessarily mean he was the right choice." She responded.

Carmen looked blankly at Ms. Libowics, than back at the card. "Just because your parents appointed Jesse as your legal guardian... doesn't mean he was the right choice." She gave a quick nod, and pocketed the card. Ms. Libowics had a good point.

"I hope you won't need me though, Carmen. I really, really hope this was the right choice for you. I really, really hope this works out," Ms. Libowics said, heart felt honesty seeping in every word.

"I hope so, too," Carmen replied, smiling jestingly at Ms. Libowics. Ms. Libowics returned the smile with the same implications.

Carmen took her phone out. She scrolled down her contact list, till she saw Ms. Libowics name. She pondered the idea of calling her right then and there. She had need for a Social Worker now. She stared at the name and the number. What would happen if she did tell her what Jesse had been doing? Would she come flying down to investigate? Would she press charges against Jesse? Would she take her away from him and put her into foster care? What would happen?

She discontinued walking. She looked up at the building that was in her way. She arrived at the sandwich shop. She stared at the phone, and shook her head. No. She couldn't tell Ms. Libowics anything. At least not yet. In spite of everything that Jesse had done to her, even the recent attempt to rape her, she was forming a life in New York. She had friends she liked, attends a school that she liked and had very good grades to boot, and she had Dean back. But most importantly, she had Justin. She couldn't possibly leave Justin!

She pocketed her phone. No, there had to be a better way. She peered into the shop. She could see Alex and Justin were already there. Alex was sitting and Justin was pacing impatiently. She smiled solemnly. She straightened her hair and clothes in attempt to look decent. When she felt she looked alright, she tapped lightly at the door. Both Justin and Alex looked up. She saw Alex's jaw dropped, while Justin's clenched tightly. He strolled quickly towards her, and opened the door.

"Hey," Carmen said sheepishly.

"Hey," Justin replied curtly.

"Hi," Alex said, still sitting.

Carmen averted her eyes from Justin, feeling very chagrined. Maybe it wasn't a good idea to involve them. It was, after all, her burden to bare. This was her problem. She shouldn't bring Alex or Justin into this. It's not fair for either of them. Especially Alex. All she wanted was to not feel insecure about her boyfriend who's attention remained on her, Carmen's, welfare.

She took a step back, having cold feet, but Justin grasped her arm gently and pulled her inside the shop, closing the door behind her. He embraced her in a fierce hug of his own, and Carmen felt so relieved and carefree and protected in his hold that she couldn't help but return the hug while she cried. Justin caressed her hair soothingly, making shushing noises and saying, "It's OK. Everything is going to be alright. I'm here."

He led Carmen toward the awaiting Alex. Alex stood up from her seat. She wrapped her arm around Carmen, making coo-ing sounds to Carmen in attempt to soothe her. Justin walked into the kitchen. He made sure Carmen wasn't staring in his direction. He took out his wand and conjured up a small blanket. He had noticed she felt cold under his touch. He returned from the kitchen with the blanket and wrapped Carmen in it for Carmen had begun to tremble.

"Let's take you upstairs to our place and get you cleaned up," Alex suggested.

Carmen nodded. She followed Alex to the stairs with Justin at her side. She ceased from crying. She realized that there simply weren't anymore tears for her to shed. She felt her body ache with exhaustion. Her steps slowed.

"Are you alright?" Justin asked her tentatively.

"I'll be OK," She answered. "Where are your parents? I don't want them to see me like this."

"Oh, don't worry about them. They're not home," Alex answered as she took out her key and opened the door to her home.

"They're not?"

Both Alex and Justin shook their heads. Alex walked in first. She walked straight toward the sofa and sat down.

Carmen hesitated at the threshold. Her body was aching like she's never ached before. Justin nudged her gently in encouragement. Carmen gave him a small smile, and stepped forward. She saw the nearest armchair and plopped herself on it, fatigued. She covered herself up further with the blanket.

"Don't you want to get cleaned up?" Justin asked her, kneeling beside her, brushing her hair out of her face.

"Yes," Carmen nodded.

"You must be really tired," Alex commented. Carmen nodded.

"Do you want something to drink?" Justin offered. Carmen nodded. Justin stood and went to make her some hot cocoa.

"What's that in your hands?" Alex asked as she noticed Carmen was holding what seemed like gray rags.

"Oh," Carmen began, blushing. She held Justin's tattered shirt and handed it to Alex. "It's Justin's shirt."

Alex took hold of the shirt. She opened it up to inspect the damage. It was torn into pieces. She glanced at Justin, a look of incredulity on her face. Justin seemed just as shocked at the sight of his shirt as Alex was. What could possibly have happened to his shirt?

Alex asked what Justin was thinking, "What happened to Justin's shirt?"

Carmen had closed her eyes. Her breathing becoming even. Justin returned with the hot cocoa. He placed the drink on the table. He knelt before Carmen, caressing her hair. He could hear Carmen snoring very lightly. He smiled sadly at her. He felt a hand placed on his shoulder and tears streamed down his face.

"Justin?" Alex whispered.

"She's sleeping," He answered quietly.

"I'll go pick out some clothes for her to wear," Alex said standing up and walking toward her bedroom upstairs.

"I'm going to get some warm water and a towel to clean up the dried blood on her face," He said, as he too, stood and walked toward the nearest restroom.

He reached the restroom, and stared at his reflection in the mirror. Who would do such a horrible thing to someone as sweet as Carmen? An anger he's never felt before bubbled inside of him. All he could think of now, was to hurt the person that had hurt Carmen. He wanted the person to feel the same torture he felt when he saw her encased in bruises and suffering. He wanted the person to pay.

The reflection of the gray eyed boy seemed unrecognizable, but he didn't care. His fury was taking over and he needed to release it somehow. He turned and punched the wall, leaving a deep hole in its place.

"Justin?" Alex said peering in.

She saw the hole in the wall and an enraged Justin in front of it. She made her way to Justin and engulfed him in her arms. She hated to see her older brother suffer. She's never seen him cry like this. She knew Justin to be sensitive. She's seen him cry over the dog she accidentally lost, but these weren't the same tears.

"It's OK, Justin. We'll figure this out. We'll find out who's been hurting Carmen, and we'll stop it," Alex assured.

They broke apart and returned to the living room. Alex had the pajamas she picked out for Carmen in her hands. She set the clothes on the sofa. Justin had a small towel in his hands drenched in warm water. He stepped carefully toward Carmen, knelt beside her, and began to clean up the dry blood. He started with her swollen lip. He thought he saw teeth marks near the cut. He then stroked the new bruise under her eye.

"Justin? Where is she going to stay?" Alex asked. She could see how angry her brother was, though he was doing his best to be brave.

"She can stay in my room. I'll bunk with Max tonight." Justin replied robotically.

"OK."

A few minutes of silence followed as Justin continued to clean her up. Once he was done it was Alex's turn. Justin left to allow Alex free reign and privacy. Alex started with Carmen's shoes. She knelt down on the floor and untied them and set them by the sofa. She grabbed the pajama pants and slipped them on her, lifting her up to fix them properly. Then she slowly pulled the skirt off that was over the pajama pants, folded the skirt, and placed it on top of the shoes. She stood up and unzipped the sweater. She could see her abdomen was black and blue with bruises. She winced at the sight. She gently pulled the light sweater off, holding her against her to better remove the sweater. Once it was off, she gently laid her back on the armchair. She folded the sweater as she did with the skirt and placed it on top of the skirt. She grabbed the pajama shirt and slipped it on her carefully. It took her a while, but she managed alright.

"Justin, she's ready," Alex whispered loudly when she finished.

Justin returned. He bent down to pick her up, cradling her in his arms. Carmen sighed in his hold. She wrapped her arms around his neck and laid her head in the crook of his neck and shoulder, nuzzling herself closer to him. Justin smiled down at her. This is the way Carmen should be, always. Content and safe.

He made his way toward the stairs. Once he reached the stairs, he realized it would be difficult. The staircase was a spiral staircase, and climbing them could be a challenge. He turned to stare at Alex. Alex sighed exasperatedly behind him. She took out her wand, made a twirl with it, and said an incantation, and with a blink of an eye, the three appeared in Justin's room.

"Thanks, Alex," Justin said.

"No problem," Alex replied nonchalantly.

He strolled slowly to his bed, and laid Carmen on his bed softly. Carmen turned in the bed, facing him, her eyes still closed. Justin smiled at her and placed the covers over her lightly. He knelt down and kissed her forehead. Carmen's eyes fluttered and she smiled. Justin's heart skipped a beat with pity and warmth.

"Well, my work here is done," Alex said coolly, placing Carmen's clothes on a nearby chair, and left the room.

"Thank you, Alex," Justin whispered sincerely.

Alex waved her hand dismissively. Justin relayed her attention back to Carmen. He was surprised to see that she was awake. She smirked at him. He gave her a small grin of his own. He knelt down before her and placed his hand over hers. Carmen grinned wider, while sadness still remained in her eyes. Justin could see the sadness and he stroked her face softly. He bent closer to her and placed a soft kiss on her lips. He could feel her wince, and he frowned.

"Goodnight, Carmen," He said standing up to leave.

"Justin, wait," Carmen said urgently. Justin stopped mid-step, and faced her. "Don't leave me, please."

Justin gulped down tears that threatened to take over. He nodded and made his way toward her. He sat down next to her, holding her hand.

"No, I meant..." Carmen whispered. "Could you stay and sleep with me?"

"Sure," Justin whispered back.

He crawled on the bed and laid behind her. Carmen took hold of his hand and wrapped them around her. She scooted closer to Justin, not wanting any space between them. Justin complied, understanding that Carmen wanted to feel safe. After what ever it was that she endured she deserved it. He will make sure that nothing and no one will ever hurt her again. Ever.

"Goodnight, Justin."

"Goodnight, Carmen."

A/N: Well, there you have it. Oh! By the way, I realized while I was writing this chapter, that I made a HUGE mistake on the last chapter. But I fixed it already. I was surprised no one caught it. I must be doing a very good job with this story if no one caught my blunder. Hee-hee! Oh! And one last thing, actually two things. Something weird is happening with my internet service. For some reason it keeps disconnecting and I'm having a hard time, not to mention getting rather frustrated, to have to reconnect it constantly. Hopefully, I'll get it fixed soon. And... I put a new picture on my profile that I think many Jensen Ackles fangirls will really like. I know I LOVE IT! ;)