A/N yes, it's a third chapter in one day! I'm loving this story so far, and I hope you are too! Leave me a review and let me know, and I'd also love to know if you have any ideas for the story!

The next morning, Rei awoke feeling much more rested than she had been recently. She sat up in the large, soft bed, forgetting for a moment that she was not at home. She smiled to herself and sank back down into the pillow, breathing in Jadeite's scent. She stopped after a minute or so, mentally slapping herself. She had a boyfriend, and even though he could be less than pleasant, it wouldn't be fair for her to act this way. In the corner of the room, she saw her duffel bag nestled in a chair. She decided to get up and shower, thinking it might help her feel better.

After pulling a pair of jeans, a t-shirt and some clean undergarments out of her bag, she crept out to the bathroom, being careful not to wake anyone. Realizing she had forgotten a washcloth and toiletries in her haste to get out of the shrine, she quietly opened the linen closet to get herself a towel and whatever else she would need. She walked into the bathroom and locked the door behind her, then started the water to get it warm before she climbed in. she stripped down and gazed at herself in the mirror, examining every bruise that spotted her skin. What had she done to deserve this?

"Nothing…" she muttered, answering her own question. She sighed shakily and stepped into the shower, feeling all her negativity wash away as soon as the water hit her. In her mind, she replayed every event that had taken place since yesterday. Had it really only been that short of a time? This sort of confusion was to be expected when Jadeite was involved. With him, Rei felt no time at all. Even when he was her enemy, veing around him felt like a dream.

After being in the water for what felt like hours, Rei quickly washed up and got out, trying not to raise Mamoru's water bill too much. She quickly dried off, wrapped the towel around herself, and brushed the tangles out of her hair. Once that was done, she pulled out her concealer and covered the bruises on her face, though she knew it wouldn't do her any good. Mamoru and his men already knew they were there. She didn't have to hide, but she chose to. She could hear movement inside the apartment, and figured that the others had woken up. After getting dressed, Rei exited the bathroom and took her things back to the guest room, putting them back in her bag before going out to the kitchen. She found Mamoru there, making coffee and waffles.

"Good morning" she chirped happily. Mamoru looked up and smiled at her, noticing the change in her mood.

"Good morning. Did you sleep well?" he asked.

"I did, thanks. Sorry I kind of took over your place" she giggled.

"Don't worry about it. You're always welcome. You're safe here." The last words he spoke caused Rei to blush slightly.

"Thank you…I appreciate it."

"Don't mention it. That scumbag won't come here looking for you, will he?" Mamoru asked, furrowing his brow.

"He doesn't know I'm here…he left before I did" Rei said softly, seating herself at the bar.

"Forgive me for bringing this up again, but…how long has this been going on, Rei?" She brushed her bangs out of her eyes and thought for a moment before answering.

"Well…I've only been with him for a couple months. He didn't start hitting me until recently…" she explained, feeling as if a weight had been lifted off her shoulders. It felt good to talk about this to someone.

"What brought it on?" he asked. Rei shrugged and began to wring her hands nervously.

"He's always seemed to have anger issues…and I guess my personality brings this out in him. I don't know." Mamoru scrunched his face and walked over to her, his eyes flickering intensely.

"It wasn't your fault, Rei. stop blaming yourself for his stupidity. You don't deserve this."

"He's right" Jadeite chimed in, tousling his hair as he walked up to the bar, taking a seat next to Rei. "No self respecting man would treat a lady like that. Especially not one like you." Rei could feel her body heat rising to her face and she quickly turned away from him, not wanting him to see her so vulnerable.

"You guys are just being nice" she said quietly, suddenly getting up. "I'm not feeling so well…I think I'm going to go lie down for a while." She hurried down the hall to Jadeite's room and ducked inside, shutting the door behind her. As soon as she was inside, she sank to the floor and silently cried. It was so clear to her now…she had sought out Kumori in the hopes he might fill the void that Jadeite left behind…as it turned out, he made it much worse. She needed to get out…but how? After a while she came out of the bedroom, her face still stained with tears. Before she could set foot in the living room, Nephrite approached her, pulling her aside.

"Everything is going to be alright" he assured her.

"You think so?" she sniffled. He nodded in response, reaching out to wipe her tears away.

"I know so. I know this probably isn't what you want to hear right now, but…Jadeite loves you. He'd die protecting you if he had to."

"No, that's exactly what I needed to know. I've been so confused since he came back into my life, and…" her phone vibrating in her pocket startled her and she pulled it out, feeling her heart drop when she looked at the caller ID.

"Is it him?" Nephrite asked, noticing the panic in her face.

"I have to answer it…" she shakily answered the call, pressing the phone to her ear. "Hello?"

"Where are you?" Kumori demanded.

"I went out" Rei answered him, keeping her eyes fixed on Nephrite for security.

"When are you going to be home?"

"I don't know" Rei snapped. "You'll be lucky if I come home at all." In an instant, she was flanked By Mamoru and the other generals, who were ready to intervene if they needed to.

"What's that supposed to mean?!" Kumori screamed. Rei winced and pulled the phone away from her ear, shaking. Before she could think of a response, Mamoru snatched the phone from her hand. She silently pleaded for him not to say anything, knowing it would only make things worse. Jadeite quickly took her into his arms and held her, stroking her hair calmingly.

"Listen, buddy. I don't know who you think you are, but you have no right to speak to her like that. I saw what you did to her. If you ever try to contact her again, I'll report you to the police" Mamoru threatened, looking angrier than Rei had ever seen him.

"Oh, really? Well, I don't know who you are, but I could report you for kidnapping" Kumori hissed back.

"Try it" Mamoru challenged.

"Mamo…" Rei sighed, knowing nothing good would possibly come of this.

"It's alright" Jadeite promised her. "Whatever happens, we'll keep you safe." Rei nodded, biting her lip slightly.

"Thank you…" Jadeite could tell she was still visibly shaken from the phone call, so he took her back to his room so they could talk. Jadeite sat on the bed and motioned for her to sit next to him, but she shook her head, opting to move her bag out of the chair and sit there instead. Jadeite chuckled softly, running his fingers through his hair.

"I won't bite" he teased. Rei giggled, brushing her hair behind her ear.

"Remember what happened last time you told me that?" she teased. Jadeite chuckled and leaned forward, grinning at her.

"I do remember. You tasted like strawberries" he said with a wink, making her blush.

"You really are something else, you know that?" she sighed, almost feeling guilty for spending time with him like this. Jadeite picked up on her uneasiness and reached for her hand, squeezing it gently.

"You don't have to feel guilty for this, Rei. As much as I want to steal you away from that coward, I won't. Not unless you say it's alright."

"It's tempting…" Rei chuckled, squeezing his hand lightly before letting it go. "If I didn't feel so stuck…" Jadeite's expression turned serious and he looked into her eyes, making her feel as though they might burn right through her.

"You're strong enough to leave him. Do you believe that?"

"I'm trying to…" she said softly. "He just makes me feel so…weak. I hate that" she grumbled, jumping slightly when Jadeite's hand brushed against her cheek.

"I believe in you. If you need support, we're all here for you."

"Jade…you have no idea how much that means to me."

"I promise, I will protect you with my life. I know I screwed up in the past, but I want to prove it to you. If that lowlife ever touches you again, he'll regret it." The way Jadeite's eyes flickered when he spoke told Rei he was serious. She smiled and leaned forward slightly, locking eyes with him.

"I hope that couch is comfortable...it looks like you guys are going to have a roommate for a while."