Sorry, I posted the wrong chapter for you guys. Here is the next installment. The chapter I posted for chapter 12 was a draft for this chapter. So hopefully you will like the enhancements and continuation of the story. Thanks for the reviews. Amber

Chapter 12 new

Frank was sitting next to his daughter's bed holding her hand. It was almost 11:00. He was determined that she would wake up with him next to her. Callie was dozing in the chair on the other side of the bed. She hadn't slept well. Frank of course had to tell her who had done this to their little girl. Callie had thrown up in the bathroom and started sobbing…how she had a funny feeling about the composite she saw on television just a month before and all he could do was hold her and reassure her that it wasn't her fault.

A moan from the bed got his attention. Callie sat up like a shot and took Chloe's other hand. Frank stroked Chloe's hair. "Princess…it's daddy…can you hear me?

"Yes…" Chloe turned her head towards him. Frank's heart broke. The happiness that used to be in her eyes was gone. Now all that was there was despair and confusion.

"Baby…it's going to be okay…We love you so much."

"I'm sorry daddy…I shouldn't have helped. I…"

Callie kissed her hand. "Oh sweetie…you were tricked and it isn't your fault. Don't be ashamed. It will be alright."

"Why does it hurt so much?"

Callie bit her lip and a tear slipped down her cheek. "Because it was traumatic…both physically and emotionally…you're still a little girl and that makes everything even more confusing. But the one thing you have to know is that…this isn't your fault…it's his fault…he set out to hurt you."

"But why mommy."

Callie took a deep breath. "Because he is mean…he wanted to control you…and hurt…" she paused to gain her composure. "You."

"That doesn't make sense."

Frank leaned down and kissed her forehead. "It will in time sweetie…right now…you have to rest."

Chloe was so exhausted that she complied at once. Callie choked back a sob. "Oh Frank…I'm scared."

He sat down on the sofa and pulled Callie beside him. "I know baby…its okay."

"If I could take her place I would…I'd do anything to stop this."

"I know…so would I." Both he and Callie watched Chloe sleep holding each other. Callie was crying softly into his shoulder. Frank instinctively held her rubbing her back until her sob's quieted and she took a deep shaky breath. She lifted her head and looked in his eyes. He smiled at her sadly and kissed her forehead tenderly.

Callie was so grateful for him. How understanding he really was…she knew at that moment that her family was going to make it through this…that they still did have each other. She mouthed to him. 'Thank you' and kissed his cheek. She then allowed herself to feel his arms around her. The same strong arms that always made her feel so safe.

A knock broke their thoughts. They both jumped at the sound. Callie to her feet and Frank turning around still seated. The door opened. "Hey dad…Mom."

Fenton could see at a glance that something was incredibly off and he couldn't put his finger on it. Callie's eyes were swollen and red from crying. They both looked exhausted. But that was expected…No it was something else. It was like…awkward. His wife picked up on it to and broke the silence.

"How is she?" Laura asked looking at Chloe's vitals as she spoke.

Frank answered quietly. "Recovering…as best she can…she made it through the night no sign of infection."

"Good." Laura whispered. She smoothed her granddaughter's hair and smiled at her eldest son.

At that moment Frank knew something was wrong. He looked at his father. "What is going on?"

Then it hit Fenton why there was an awkward silence from when they first walked in. Chloe was sleeping…possibly after being awake for a short time…Callie finally breaking down. Fenton could actually picture in his mind what had happened prior to their arrival. Frank had calmed Callie down and they had for at least a moment found a little bit of comfort from each other. It was only when Frank repeated his question did Fenton snap out of his epiphany. "DAD! What is wrong? What has happened?"

Fenton jumped. Laura bit her lip but said nothing. She watched her husband's expression change from what she liked to call the detective look to the fatherly look. He cleared his throat and said. "Urm…there was a fight at Bayport High…Chet called and said that Matt punched someone braking his jaw, and Matt is hurt too. Olivia was also involved in some way. According to witnesses though this boy and his girl friend had verbally accosted Matt first and he snapped I'm not making excuses for Matt's actions but given what has happened… "

Callie gasped. "Who did Matt hit?"

Fenton looked at Callie and answered simply, "Chris Vance…"

Frank narrowed his eyes and Callie sucked in her breath. Fenton continued. "We'll sit with her…if you want. But you both need to get there."

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Frank and Callie rushed up to the school just a boy was being taken in an ambulance. A petite plump woman with red hair and green eyes got in the back looking worried. A slim rather attractive young teenager with black hair was biting her lip with tears running down her face. Frank took Callie by the arm and pulled her through the door without preamble. That was clearly Chris Vance and his mother in the ambulance and the black haired girl was his girlfriend.

They could hear shouting from in the office from behind Chet's door. Frank looked inside the conference room and saw his two boys and one look told Frank everything his father said was true. Vanessa was in there with them. A medic was putting an IV into Matt's arm. He was about to rush over but the yelling in Chet's office reached his ears.

"Mr. Mortin if you don't expel that little punk for punching my son I am going to sue this school for damages and file charges!"

Frank felt his wife tense and felt her whip past him with lightning speed. His decision was made for him. Vanessa and Hannah could for the moment keep an eye on Matt. Right now…he had to keep Callie from hitting Edward Vance. She opened he door with a bang just as he had caught up to her. He put a hand on her shoulder.

Frank could feel the tension ease a bit and as he expected her to. She didn't lash out. Instead she gave her formal boss the glare that silenced him and his children every single time and then some. Joe had started to snap a defense when he stopped short and sucked in his breath. The tension was so thick it could be cut with a knife. Callie tilted her head slightly and said. "So Ed…have you actually listened to what Mr. Mortin has to say or are you doing you're usual crap of…I'm going to take a bit of the truth and exploit it so that it sounds good."

"Callie Hardy…you're son is the one who lost his temper and broke my son's jaw."

Callie didn't deny what he said but countered. "And your son…upset mine by accosting him with insults that have nothing to do with them. It makes me sick that you actually suggested that Chloe acted inappropriately when she is lying in the hospital with multiple IV's, of pain medicines and antibiotics. You have a story about how this sick pedophile was finally caught and you could write it appropriately if you wished but no instead you chose to slander me and my daughter just because of MY not taking your crap."

"I intend to press charges Callie…"

Joe piped up. "They can too…you're son fought back it is what my grandmother used to say 'Even Steven.'"

"Oh please!" Edward sneered.

Callie hissed. "Please nothing Ed." She walked towards him and stuck her finger in his face threateningly. "You listen and listen good…if you so much as breathe our daughters name in the paper or to the press I will personally come and snap your neck like a twig. You dragged our kids into a personal vendetta against me you and I don't appreciate it. I still have my journal from the Gazette from all the shit you pulled. SO cut the crap and grow up!"

Then without another word Callie turned on her heel and marched out the door following Matt to the ambulance. Frank set his jaw and added. "And just so that we are clear that goes ten fold from me to. It's one thing to talk about my wife but what you said about Chloe to you're son was just wrong! Stay away from them and I might not slug you."