Aaron lifted her head with a soft nudge under her chin. He looked into her big blue eyes with a concerning look from his beautiful brown eyes.

"You know why I have to do this right?"

"Yes sir."

"Alright then, come in."

Enough is Enough

"You can put your things down on the table," Aaron said before turning around expecting Madison to follow him without having to be told.

She did follow him. She found herself suddenly trapped in a mix of emotions. She knew what was about to happen and she was nervous. She also found herself a bit distracted by the "view" she had walking in her lead. He was wearing Kenneth Cole light blue jeans that complimented his athletic ass perfectly; and the white Hugo Boss long sleeve button down dress shirt that she and Bailey had gotten him for his last birthday. He had the sleeves rolled up. Aaron sat down on his couch and gestured for Madison to sit next to him. Her distraction just a moment ago suddenly disappeared and all of her focus was on what was about to happen.

"Tell me in your words why you are here today?" Aaron asked her calmly but with a true tone of authority.

She lowered her head but was quickly guided with the crook of Aaron's index finger to look up and directly at him. She obeyed.

"Because I broke my promise," she stated softly while searching his eyes for a reaction.

He remained perfectly in control. "What was that promise Madison?"

"That I was to never cut myself again on purpose."

"How long have you been cutting yourself again? And you better be honest."

"I don't know, maybe three months?"

Aaron sighed, "Okay. Not that your answer here will change anything but what happened three months ago to cause you to feel that you needed to cut yourself? It's been four years since you stopped."

Madison knew exactly what it was. It was when Stryder first slammed her onto his weight bench. Cutting her-self somehow counter-acted what he did to her and made her feel better, more in control. She could never tell her family that she was being abused. She was supposed to be smarter than that. Tears rolled down her face as she tried to think of a believable lie.

"I don't know, it could be cheerleading maybe. Coach Slayter expects us to perfect, especially me."

"Because you're the head cheerleader?"

"Yes."

"I thought you knew you could come to your father or me about anything. Why didn't you just talk to one of us? We could have helped you figure something out."

"I don't know, I'm sorry, I really am."

"I am too. Alright, let's get this over with." Aaron said as he grabbed a hairbrush he sat next to the couch earlier.

Madison was really nervous and wanted to just run; but, knew from past experience that attempting to run would only make her spanking that much harder and longer. She was hesitant but obeyed and only fought fight Aaron a little when he guided her over his lap. He flipped up her mini sundress, (field of flowers by Forever 21) and pulled her white boy shorts down to the middle of her young flawless thighs. He began with his hand and after a minute switched to the hairbrush. She squirmed and did all she could to try and avoid the brush but it was pointless.

"I'm so sorry Uncle Aaron. I promise I won't cut myself ever again…promise!" She cried and pleaded as she kicked her legs.

Her bottom felt as if it were on fire and Aaron didn't stop until it had a bright red hue. He lifted her panties back up carefully then lifted her up onto his lap being as gentle as he could. She was crying uncontrollably for a few minutes. The crying started from the initial pain of the spanking itself; but, it only grew harder as some emotional pain from within came to surface. Aaron could hear the transition of the cry turn from shallow to deep. He knew he had successfully started the process of her healing. It may be small but any start was better than nothing. Madison buried her face in the crook of his neck. She felt so secure from being held in Aaron's arms. He lifted her forward and again looked her directly in her tear filled eyes.

"You know I love you and that you can always come to me for anything right?"

Madison did know but didn't want to disappoint him by telling him the truth about her ass of a boyfriend.

"Yes, I know," she answered before placing her head back onto his shoulder.

He smiled as he held her close. He couldn't help but feel that she was going to end up helping him through his healing process as well. After losing his wife and child to a serial killer he hadn't felt that degree of closeness to anyone like he was feeling at that moment with Madison. He fought his feelings, he knew they had to be wrong, she wasn't even sixteen yet. He did all he could to push them down deep within. He did his best to stay in "uncle" mode.

"Are you hungry?" He asked her.

She thought for a moment, "Yeah, I actually am. It's weird." She said as she lifted her head.

"Weird? Why?"

"I don't know, I just can't remember the last time I really felt hungry; but now, I'm feeling almost famished."

He gave her a smile that he felt from within. It was something he hadn't felt in some time.

"Well, in that case why don't I make us dinner?"

"Okay," she smiled.

He kissed her tenderly on the bridge of her nose then helped her up off his lap. They headed to the kitchen when she heard her text alert ding from the front door.

"Oh, umm Uncle Aaron, can I check my phone for messages? Stryder always gets antsy if I don't respond in a certain amount of time."

"Sure, go ahead."

Aaron continued to the kitchen as Madison went to retrieve her cell phone. He couldn't help but find what she said about Stryder becoming antsy send up a flag. He knew he would have to keep a closer eye on Madison and her boyfriend.

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Madison picked up her phone and found over 40 text messages and 10 missed calls from Stryder. She didn't bother reading all of the text messages as she knew they would just be his rants and accusations. She started to text and was about to sit down directly on the couch but quickly stood back up. She had been reminded of the original reason she was there at Aaron's house.

"Ouch," she mouthed to her-self as she finished keying in the text message.

'Stry, I'm having dinner at my Uncle Aaron's house. I swear to you I'm not doing anything I shouldn't.'

'Why did it take you so long to respond to my messages?'

'Cause we were talking. My grades are slipping a lil in math so he was just helping me.'

Madison then realized that she was now lying to every single person in her life. The lies were getting to her; she didn't know what to do. More than anything she wanted to run to Aaron and confess every last thing; but, then she knew it would mean that she would look even more pathetic than she already was. Styder fed her lies like that so often she couldn't help but start believing them. She also fooled herself into thinking her boyfriend wasn't really that bad of a guy; truthfully, she thought, he didn't hit her all the time.

'Can I see you tonight?'

'By time I get back home it'll be late. How about you pick me up for school in the morning?' .

'Okay, I love you beautiful.'

'Love you too.'

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"Is everything okay with Stryder?" Aaron asked as Madison walked in.

"Yeah, it's great!" She said, now adding herself to the list of people she was lying to.

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For one week Stryder was really sweet and kind to Madison. A week and one day later, that changed and he was back to his old sadistic ways.

One of the cashiers at the mall was flirting with her. She simply responded with a courteous smile. (She was completely blindsided for what was about to take place. Stryder treated her like a princess for a week or so and because she wanted so much to believe it's how it always was, she conveniently forgot about all of the mean and abusive things he has ever done to her). Once the cashier handed the bag of clothes over; Stryder took Madison by the arm roughly and walked her quickly out to his car.

"What in the hell was that you little bitch?"

"What was what?" Madison asked truly confused.

"Don't act innocent you whore! You were flirting with that guy right in front of me; disrespecting me."

"I was only being friendly, just smiling, nothing more."

Stryder didn't say another word until they reached his house. He knew his parents were out and they would have privacy; once parked he walked over to Madison's side of the car, yanked her out and forcefully walked her into his house and into his room. He pushed her down on the bed then tied up her arms.

"Stryder, what are you doing?" She asked with pure fright in her eyes.

He paced back and forth for a few moments before stopping and looking Madison directly in her eyes.

"I want to know something and you better tell me the truth."

"Okay, I promise, what do you want to know?"

"I noticed last night when I was fucking your sweet ass that you didn't have any cuts. Is that why you have been spending a lot of extra time with your uncle? It's because they found out and are now keeping a closer eye on you?"

"Stryder…please."

"Answer my question!" He shouted at close range in her face.

"Yes! Yes!" Madison confessed before she began to cry.

"Okay, I see," he paused, "now, if they were to discover a self-inflicting cut, what would happen?"

She didn't answer him.

"What..would…HAPPEN?"

She began to cry harder. "Stryder, please don't do this, let me go."

"Tell me damnit so help me," He threatened as he lifted his fist.

"I will get a spanking," she said very softly.

He sat down next to her and got really close.

"I'm sorry, what was that you just said?" Stryder asked very calm…too calm.

"Spank me; I would get spanked."

He began to laugh, "Ohh, I love this."

He walked out of the room and came back a few minutes later. He held in his hand one of his father's hunting knives.

"Wha..what are you going to do with that?"

"Oh don't worry; I have no plans on killing you. In fact, I'm not going to do anything to you that you haven't already done to yourself in the past."

He held her down enough to keep her thigh study then gave her three long cuts on her upper left thigh. She was crying out in pain.

"Why are you doing this? Why?"

"Because this way I get the pleasure of having you punished more than once."

"What do you mean?"

"I just inflicted a few cuts, that was part 1 of my punishment to you. Part 2 is when I drive you home and make you confess to your daddy what I just caught you doing in my bathroom. And in result you'll be over daddy's knee getting the spanking of a lifetime," he said right before he began to laugh.

"Why..why can't you just spank me if that is how you think I should be punished?"

"Well, sure, I could do that but it's much more fun for me to know that you're getting spanked for something you didn't do."

For the first time she was starting to feel true hatred towards Stryder. This time he was messing with the dynamic relationships she has with her family.

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Stryder walked in with Madison, forcefully holding her hand, into her house. Sitting on the couch was Derek.

"Where have you been? I tried calling you several times?" Derek Inquired.

"Oh, sorry about that, I forgot to charge my cell last night." Morgan quickly lied.

He looked up from his book and saw that she had been crying.

"What's wrong?"

"Nnn nothing, where is everyone?"

"There was a last second case in Texas so your dad and the rest of the team went. I volunteered to stay behind with you and Bailey. You know, since you are in the process of healing, we thought you should always have at least one of us close by until you feel better."

"Ohh, where is Bailey?"

"She is spending the night with Heather. Okay, now that I answered all of your questions please answer mine, what is wrong?"

Madison began to really tear up.

"It's okay baby, he loves you, he will understand," said Stryder sounding as sweet as he could in front of Derek.

"He's right, I do love you. You can tell me."

Madison tried so hard to think of a lie that would satisfy Stryder and get her out of having to confess to a "crime" she did not do. She even thought about telling the truth about what Stryder did. She quickly dismissed it to the fact (which she believed) that they would never believe her.

"I….I…."

"It's okay, tell him," nudged Stryder.

"I cut myself again."

Madison shouted then ran upstairs to her room. Stryder was more than pleased.

"Sorry Sir, I hated having to see her do that; but, I knew I couldn't just stand by any longer and watch her do that to her-self."

Derek was so distracted by what Madison had just told him that he wasn't giving Stryder too much attention to notice how insincere he truly was.

"Humm, oh, yeah, thanks for getting her home. I'll take it from here."

Stryder let himself out as Derek ran upstairs. Stryder noticed that Madison's bedroom window was open and decided to stand in earshot for awhile.

Derek opened Madison's bedroom door without bothering to knock. He was shocked at first but that quickly turned to anger.

"Madison! Please tell me you're playing some stupid joke and you didn't really cut yourself again."

She didn't bother to try and convince him she was innocent. She felt trapped and just gave in. With tears flowing down her face she stood up and lifted her raspberry pink structured panel mini skirt; and showed Derek the cuts just above her thick black thigh high stockings. Derek closed his eyes momentarily due to his disappointment in his honorary little sister.

"Why didn't you call one of us?"

"I told you, my phone died," she answered softly, sadly.

"Well, Stryder was there with you. Why didn't you try talking to him ?"

"I don't know."

"You don't know, really? That's your answer?"

"Yeah."

"Little girl, do you have any idea how upset I am with you right now?"

Those words tore through Madison's heart. Being in trouble and lectured wasn't new to her but being lectured for this; it was almost unbearable for her. She already knew the look in her father and Aaron's eyes just a couple weeks back when they discovered she was cutting herself. It was a look she never wanted to see again. It was killing her that she was now getting that look from Derek. She could not give any proper answer to her big brother. She just hid her face with her hands and sat on her bed sobbing. Her sobbing was different than other times she was in trouble; but again, Derek was too close to the situation to step back and properly analyze the difference. He sat down next to her. He took a deep breath before speaking again.

"You know what has to happen now don't you?"

Madison didn't say a word. She felt absolutely defeated by what Stryder has caused to happen. She was completely uncharacteristic in her actions as she didn't try to plead her case. She just gave up. Without even being told she placed herself over Derek's lap and waited. Derek wasn't sure what to make of it but chalked it up at that moment that she was simply taking responsibility for what she had done. He flipped up her skirt and bared her bottom. He only spanked her by the use of his hand but he was strong and the spanking lasted for several minutes. She hardly struggled. The spanking itself really hurt but the physical pain was nothing in comparison to how she felt inside…broken.

The spanking was over and Derek placed her panties back up before positioning her on his lap. She was crying softly but didn't say a word. He held her for a minute thinking she might say something; but, nothing.

"Okay then, I want you to change into your pj's and go to bed early. I'll see you in the morning."

"Okay," Madison answered in a whisper.

Derek was torn; he had never seen her act like this. He wanted to be angry with her but she looked so sad; it only broke his heart.

Two days later

"Daddy!" Bailey squealed as Dave walked in the front door returning from Texas, "Daddy, I missed you!"

"I missed you too monkey." He said as he gave her many kisses.

"Daddy, guess what?"

"What?"

"I'm going to the park with Heather."

Before Dave could reply there was a knock on the front door, it was Heather and her mother, Jenna.

"Hi Dave, welcome back," said Jenna, "we are here to pick up Bailey for the park."

"Oh, you mean this little monkey right here?" He asked as he tickled his little girl playfully.

She giggled as expected.

"We will be back in a couple of hours, is that okay?"

"Yes, that's fine," he answered before kneeling down to Bailey's level, "I love you."

"Wov you too."

Dave stood in the doorway until they were settled in the car. He closed the door as he took a deep breath and turned to Derek.

"Where is she now?"

"Still in her bedroom; she hasn't left there since…" Derek began to tear up thinking he must have done something wrong," plus, she won't eat. She just sips on water all day."

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Dave knocked on Madison's door but heard no response. He opened the door gently and walked in. He found Madison sleeping in her bed. He could see dark circles under her eyes; which told him that the ability to find sleep right now was a luxury for her. He didn't have the heart to wake her. He kissed her head and went back downstairs to where Derek and now Aaron were.

"How is she?" Aaron asked anxiously.

"She was sleeping, I just couldn't disturb her."

A couple of hours go by. Bailey was back from the park and being entertained by Spencer, Derek and Dave. Aaron couldn't stop pacing and went up to Madison's room to check in on her. He stood by her for a few minutes watching her sleep. He brushed her hair off of her face then turned to walk out. He only made it half way to the door.

"Do you hate me?" Madison asked soft and weak.

He found himself exhaling. He wasn't aware that he was holding on so tight just to hear her speak, to communicate with him. He didn't hesitate to walk back and sit down on the side of her bed.

"No, I do not hate you. None of us do. We love you."

"But do you love me?"

"Yes, very much."

"How could you love me? I'm just a pathetic waste of space."

Aaron lifted Madison up from her pillow so fast she didn't know what was happening. He gave her direct eye contact.

"Don't you ever, ever speak that way about yourself again, do you understand me?"

She simply nodded yes as tears again streamed down her face. Aaron just pulled her into his chest and held her close. She sobbed for close to an hour before she wore herself out and fell back to sleep.

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Aaron walked downstairs with a tear stained shirt. Dave left Bailey playing a board game with Spencer and Derek and made his way to Aaron.

"What do you think? How bad is it?"

"Honestly, I wouldn't leave her alone right now. She may need to be admitted; but, I want to try something first."

"Of course, what is your plan?"

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It was early in the morning when Dave walked in to wake Madison. It didn't take long before she opened her eyes.

"Morning."

"Hi? What time is it?"

"Six A.M."

"Do I really have to go to school? Can't I have just one more day, please?"

Madison was stalling as long as she could before she would have to be faced with Stryder. For the present she told him a lie that she couldn't go out because she was grounded. She figured it would buy her some time and it had.

"You're coming to the office with me. I have paper work to do and I'm not going to leave you home all day alone."

Madison pulled the covers back over her head.

"Why can't I just stay in bed? I'm not going to hurt myself again."

"Right now that is up for debate. That true reason you are coming with me is to get you out of the house. Now get in the shower and freshen up. We are leaving at seven."

"Daddy, nooo."

"You have five minutes to get in the shower or you're going to start this day with a spanking, it's your choice."

Dave left but couldn't help but smile. He never thought he would be so happy to hear his daughter whine. It beat hearing nothing at all any day. A few moments later he heard the shower turn on.

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Dave dropped Bailey off at school first.

"Daddy, everyone is still coming tonight wite?"

"Right, yes. We wouldn't miss it for the world." He smiled.

She gave him a kiss on the cheek and said good-bye to Madison before running to meet Heather who was already there.

"What's happening tonight?" Madison asked.

"It the school talents show. Bailey is singing but she wouldn't tell me what she plans on singing. She insisted that it was a surprise."

Madison huffed, "do I hafta go?"

"Yes, you do."

Madison didn't bother arguing back and just watched people go by as her father drove.

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She took turns spending time in her father's office then Aaron, Derek and even sat with Spencer for a period. She was in Aaron's office playing a game on her cell phone when Dave walked in.

"Maddy, I just received a very interesting phone call from Stryder."

Just the sound of his name made her feel sick to her stomach. She tried her best to play it off.

"Oh yeah, what did he want?"

"He was practically begging me to reduce your grounding."

"You didn't tell him I wasn't grounded did you?" Madison asked with panic in her voice.

"Calm down, I played along. I figured you must have some good reason."

"Whew, okay, thank you." Madison said before attempting to get back to her game.

"Excuse me? Do you are to explain?" Dave asked as he made eye contact with Aaron then back to her.

"I just don't want to see him right now and if I didn't tell him I was grounded he would never leave me alone."

"If you don't like being with this guy, why don't you just break up with him?" Aaron asked.

"I just needed some space, that's all," Madison said with hope they would drop it.

Aaron was about to say something when JJ saved the day.

"Excuse me; we have a case I need to show you both right away."

"Okay," Dave said then turned his attention to Madison, "Don't leave this office, understand me?"

She sighed but agreed. She spent the rest of the day being very quiet. She kept thinking of possible ways she could break it off with Stryder and not have him kick the living daylight out of her.

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Dave, Spencer, Madison, Aaron and the rest of the team showed up to Bailey's elementary school. They were all there to watch her sing. Madison was very lost in thought; still trying to figure out what to do. Bailey walked on stage and six little words she said caught Madison's attention.

"This is for my sister Mawdy."

Bailey started singing. It was *The Climb by Miley Cyrus. Madison listened to her little sister singing to her, telling her it was okay. Tears fell but this time they felt different. This was the extra push she needed after spending the last 24 hours with her family. No one has left her side; she was finally starting to see that Stryder was wrong. Her family would never abandon her. Once Bailey finished singing Madison was starting to feel the strength she needed to break it off with Stryder.

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Everyone was out having dinner. Madison had finally found enough courage to do what she needed to. While they waited for their food she sent a text to Stryder. She thought about calling him but then told herself he was an ass and didn't deserve any such courtesy. She made it simple.

'Enough is enough; you have hurt me for the last time. I'm breaking up with you. Don't call me, text me, email me, nothing…bye!'

She sent it off and a minute later her phone began to ring, it was Stryder. She was feeling strong and simply turned the cell off. She found herself smiling. That was the first step; now time for step two.

Ding, ding, ding, was the sound of the spoon Madison made on her glass of water.

"Excuse me; I want to say something if that's okay?"

Everyone agreed and were more than delighted to see her smiling.

"I just have to say thank you for not giving up on me. Also, to my little sister thank you for choosing that song. It was the perfect choice and you sounded amazing. I have the most amazing family. I'm sorry for ever allowing anyone to try and convince me otherwise."

"Who tried to tell you otherwise?" Dave asked.

"It doesn't matter now, that person is no longer in my life. Can we please please not get into it?" Madison asked with pleading puppy dog eyes.

Dave was more than thrilled to see his daughter back. He simply smiled at her and gave her a look that showed her she was forever his little girl. That night before turning to bed Dave found Madison.

"Princess, I just wanted you to know that Ms Beacon will be taking you and Bailey to school. I need to be in earlier than usual to finish up some work."

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Dave kissed both of his girls before heading out to the office. He went to work beaming. Life was starting to feel back to normal again. It was 7 A.M. and Dave told himself he would wait another 30 minutes before calling the girls to wish them a good day at school.

Aaron walked in with a folder in his hand to show Dave something; a moment later Derek walked in.

"I'm sorry but there is something that has been bothering me for the past a few days."

"What is it?" Aaron asked.

"I know Madison finally came around but I think it's just because she is a very strong and determined girl."

"What are you getting at Morgan?" Dave asked with anticipation.

"It was just the way she responded to her punishment. I know it's rare if I'm ever the one giving her a spanking; but, when I think back, her cries. They weren't cries a child has from a spanking. It was a cry from a heart break, from betrayal almost. Then I was realizing last night how Madison is right handed."

"You just now noticed that?" Aaron asked.

"Well, I guess I just never paid attention until last night I was thinking about the cuts Madison had on her thigh. The cuts were on her left thigh but she is right handed."

"And unless she needed to find a clear spot, majority of cuts are inflicted on the side of the person's primary hand" Rossi finished Derek's thought.

"Aaron did she…" Derek began to ask.

"No, I checked that very morning, her body was a clear canvas."

"Dave, when did Madison start dating Stryder?" Aaron asked as he found himself with a horrible observation.

"It was about three months ago, why?"

"Three months? Damit! How did I not connect the pieces?"

"Hotch, what is it?"Derek asked.

"Madison told me that she started cutting herself three months ago. If he was abusive, that certainly would have been her stresser trigger point."

"Does anyone suddenly want to talk to Stryder?" Derek asked with anger being built with each word.

Dave decided to call the girls early. He called and no answer. He called three times and no answer. He hung up.

"They aren't answering the house phone. I then tried Madison's cell and Ms Beacon, no answer."

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The door rang; Madison answered it to Ms. Beacon. They greeted each other with big smiles.

"Ms Beacon, thank you SO much for coming early so I could run before school. I haven't worked out all week and I just had this overwhelming feeling to get a quick run in."

"It's my pleasure sweetheart. I am an early riser so I have already been up before dawn," the older lady stated as she walked in and began to take off her coat.

"Madison couldn't help but laugh a little at how spunky Bailey's babysitter was."

"Okay, Bailey is still sleeping. I'll be back in 30 minutes," she said as she put her earphones in.

"Okay dear, see you soon."

Thirty minutes later:

Madison returned from her run and she was feeling so much better than she had. She stopped on her porch, pulled out her earphones and began to stretch for a minute when suddenly she heard Bailey scream. She was a mere second from running in when she heard another voice telling her to shut up or he would shoot the old lady. It was Stryder.