Stryder moved his aim off of Madison and aimed his rifle right at Bailey and cocked the barrel. The little girl looked at the gun in her face and froze in fear.

BANG! BANG! BANG!

Dave, Aaron and the rest of the team couldn't believe they just heard gun shots. Spencer started running towards the house. Everyone else followed close behind.

I Had To

The team ran in fearing the worst. The front door flew open, Spencer ran in first. He spotted both of his sisters; both were still alive and looked to be uninjured. At first he didn't know which sister to attend to first. Dave was right behind him and he immediately ran over to Bailey and picked her up and held her close. She was still in shock. She wasn't crying, she didn't speak a word. That made it clear for Spencer to make his way to Madison. She was sitting down on top of the stairs with a look of shock as well. She was still holding the gun. Spencer walked up and carefully took the gun from her. She didn't make eye contact; she kept a fixed stair at whatever was in front of her. She was aware though that her big brother was near.

"I had to Spence, he was going to hurt her," she said softly but still without escaping her fixed stare.

Tears then began to fall down her face. Spencer hoisted his gun and sat down, put his arm around her and hugged her warmly. Dave looked up to find eye contact from Spencer. He gave a nod that let him know she wasn't physically hurt. Derek was checking Stryder's pulse as Emily was checking on Ms Beacon who was very badly beaten.

"He's still alive," Derek stated.

Madison's eyes grew wide as she jolted out of her brothers arms. She shook her head and began running downstairs almost in a panic.

"No, no, no. He can't still be alive. NO!"

She started to move closer to Stryder as if she wanted to finish the job she was aiming to do the first time. Aaron stepped in her path. She continued to stay on her mission, trying to ignore whoever it was that was trying to stop her. He held onto her, doing his best to stay calm about the situation.

"Maddy! Maddy, look at me sweetheart. Maddy.

She finally realized it was Aaron who was talking to her. She looked up at him.

"Maddy, he may not be dead but you're safe now. He can't hurt you anymore."

She looked into Aaron's eyes and for a split second she questioned his statement; but, then she kept looking and soon it sunk in that she trusted his words. She was safe and Stryder wasn't going to hurt her anymore. She felt she could finally exhale and she began sobbing into Aaron's chest. He didn't say a word. He held her close and didn't let go until she was ready.

The paramedics came in and took Ms Beacon out on a gurney and drove her to the nearest hospital. Shortly after another set of paramedics arrived and brought Stryder to a hospital to attend to his gunshot wounds. He had been shot twice in the arm and once in the neck. He was unconscious.

After a good few minutes of solid crying, Madison began to calm down. Spencer handed her a tissue box and she grabbed a few tissues. She said nothing but looked back up Aaron. He just gave her a warm smile and kissed her on the head. She gave a tiny smile back then sat on the couch next to Bailey and her father, Dave. Bailey still hadn't said anything. Madison held her hands out to her little sister and she moved forward as if to say it was okay for her to hold her. Madison held her little sister close, they held each other.

"I'm so sorry Monkey, so sorry," whispered Madison as she rocked her softly.

Bailey just held her sister tighter until she fell asleep. It was all just too much for her to take in. Spencer walked over and took their sleeping sister from her arms and walked her upstairs to put her to bed to rest. Once her arms were free Madison cuddled up into Dave's arms. Aaron sat himself on her other side and took her hand into his and softly stroked it with his thumb. Tears ran down her face.

"I'm so sorry that I didn't tell either of you how bad it was with Stryder. I knew he was controlling and a real jerk but I never thought he would have gone this crazy."

"It's alright, its sopra ora la principessa. It's sopra" said Dave softly in his native tongue.

("It's alright, it's over princess, it's over.")

CMCM

Without warning Bailey woke up with a terror in her voice, crying and screaming. Spencer hadn't left her side and immediately tried to comfort her. He held her closer.

"Shhh, you're safe, you're safe," soothed Spencer.

Aaron ran in to check on the situation while Dave stayed downstairs with Madison.

"Is everything okay?" Aaron asked.

"She just had a bad dream," Spencer answered.

Aaron walked closer but had to stop as Bailey started to show signs of severe panic. She clung onto Spencer as if her life depended on it, shaking her head no and sobbing.

"Okay, baby, it's okay, I'll stay back here," said Aaron softly.

Both Aaron and Spencer knew it was a sign Bailey was displaying of PTSD (Posttraumatic Stress Disorder). She would most likely only allow people she was especially close to hold her or even talk to her. She knew Aaron since she was born but Aaron had always just been closer to Spencer and Madison. He withdrew from Bailey after he lost his own son. He hadn't realized that he even did that until this moment when she showed him that she didn't feel as close to him.

"I'm going to let Dave know it was just a bad dream. Do you need me to bring you anything?"

Spencer looked down at Bailey then answered Aaron.

"No, I think we're fine for now, thanks."

Spencer rocked Bailey back to sleep and Aaron walked back downstairs.

"Bailey woke from a nightmare,"

"I'm sure it's just the first of many to come," Dave said softly as he held Madison in his arms.

Two weeks later

Bailey was in the kitchen sitting on the bar stool of the kitchen island, coloring. Dave was making lunch. He had taken time off to be with both of his girls while they both recovered from their traumatic incident with Stryder. Bailey was only content with Dave, Madison or Spencer. If anyone else tried to hold her or even talk to her she would be withdrawn and act as if they weren't even in the same room. It made it difficult for Dave to get Bailey into seeing a therapist. He and the therapist finally agreed to let him sit in as it was the only way to start the sessions that she so desperately needed. She had nightmares every night and often just sat on the couch with her stuffed monkey sucking her thumb. The phone rang.

"Hello?" Dave answered.

"Hey Dave, its Gideon."

CMCM

Dave had also put Madison into therapy. The therapist was the only person she withdrew from. She simply didn't want to talk about what happened and refused to talk. Another hour of therapy passed without any progress. Spencer was in the waiting room glancing at a magazine to pass the time. He looked up to his sister walk out and the doctor not far behind her.

"Mr. Reid, may I speak with you alone for just a moment please?" Dr Sankton asked.

"Of course, yes. Maddy, wait for me in the car, I'm sure I won't be too long," he said as he handed her the keys.

She took them from him without saying a word. She immediately drew her attention to her cell phone and began to text her best friend, Katie.

Spencer watched his sister leave and walked back into the room with the doctor. She shut the door and let out a sigh.

"What's wrong?" Spencer asked.

Dr Sankton thought for a moment before she sat down.

"I don't normally involve family this early in the game; but, this is the fourth session with Maddy. She refuses to talk to me about anything. Even a simple question such as how was your day? She shrugs her shoulders but never speaks. How is she acting at home?"

Spencer sighed after hearing how his sister was being un-corporative.

"Her grades have been slipping a bit. She has been very moody with everyone, well, everyone but with Bailey."

"When she acts out, how do you and your father react?"

"We both try and stay patient and just let her go through the motions right now, why, is that wrong?"

"No, no, that's great. Patients with a teen is always needed no matter the situation," she smiled softly, "has Madison cried since the incident?"

Spencer thought for a moment then realized she hadn't.

"No, she hasn't. I haven't heard her cry since the very first day."

"I was afraid of that. I think she is trying to deny the event even happened. Crying about it to her simply acknowledges that it happened. She is suppressing her feelings. Before the event when Maddy would act out, how would it be handled?"

"Well, our father would always give her a warning first and if that didn't work, he would most likely spank her."

"I see, and she hasn't been spanked recently?"

"Umm, no, I don't think so."

"Okay, I'll give your father a call later and talk to him about a few things, thank you."

"Sure, anytime," Spencer smiled before leaving.

CMCM

Madison jumped when Spencer knocked on the car window to get her attention. She had all the doors locked. She took a breath of relief when she saw it was her brother and unlocked the front door for him. He got in and gave her a small smile. They began to drive home and he was about to talk to her about not speaking to the therapist when she spoke up first.

"Can we visit Ms Beacon in the hospital?"

"Umm, yeah, sure."

Spencer looked at his sister then decided it wasn't a good time to bring it up now that they were heading to the hospital to visit a badly injured friend of the family.

They arrived at the hospital and silently made their way up to her room. They both stand on a separate side of the bed and each take a hand. (Being in the hospital and seeing their friend like this was even more difficult for them both. It brought back memories when their parents were in the hospital after the car accident.) The bruises on her body had disappeared but it was her internal injuries that still haven't healed. Stryder had beaten her so badly that she ended up going into a coma due to the damage he had done. She woke up a week later but still unable to leave the hospital. The doctors did everything they could. It was now just a waiting game. She was seventy years old. The beating she sustained made it very difficult for someone her age to recover from compared to someone much younger. Ms Beacon had been sleeping but woke once she felt movement. She looked at Spencer and then over at Madison and gave them both a warm and welcoming smile. They returned the smile.

"Ms. Beacon, how are you feeling today?" Madison asked.

"I'm doing just great dear, just great," she said as she tried to adjust herself without showing how painful it was for such a small move. "How are you? How is Bailey?"

Madison always admired how Ms Beacon was always so positive no matter the situation.

"We are both hanging in there. Bailey wants to see you but her therapist thinks that it isn't a good idea until you're home. She thinks that if Bails sees you in the hospital like this, it will just add to her stress."

"Oh, of course, well, I know I certainly plan to be home soon," she smiled.

Madison found herself becoming angry at the situation. She didn't want Ms Beacon to see her like that. She looked at her brother; he seemed to know what she was thinking without a word having to be spoken.

"Ms Beacon, I'm really thirsty. I'm going to run down to the cafeteria. Do you need anything?"

"I'm fine dear, thank you."

Madison gave Spencer a look letting him know she would back as soon as possible. She left the room and began to wonder the halls trying not to punch anything. She then came across Stryder's room. His room was being guided by a young police officer. She just stood there looking in. He just lay there with his eyes closed, looking peaceful; she felt true hatred for him. She wished him dead for the pain he had caused her and her family. She just glared at him, fantasizing about the idea of smothering him with a pillow.

"Miss….excuse me, miss."

Madison shook herself out of her trance and looked over to see who was trying to get her attention. It was the young officer.

"Miss, is there something I can help you with?"

"Oh, umm, no thanks," she answered.

She began to walk off when Stryder opened his eyes and saw her standing there. He smiled at her. He was happy to see her. She just looked at him in disgust. She began to walk off.

"Wait! Maddy please come back! I'm so sorry, please forgive me," Stryder cried out.

She kept walking as tears began to swell up and she fought them back. She started to run. She needed air. She ran around a corner and ran right into someone. She was surprised at first but then looked up to see it was her brother. She attempted to continue her original plan when he stopped her.

"Maddy, it's Ms. Beacon," Spencer said sadly.

"Wha? Nooo, it can't be!"

Madison refused to believe the worst possible thing had come true. She ran to Ms Beacon's room. The nurses and doctor had already done all they could to revive her. She just lay there. The only sound Madison could hear was the sound of the flat line on the respirator machine. She walked over slowly to the bed then just sat down on the floor in silence. Spencer stopped suddenly at the door as he was running to catch her. He just bent down on the ground with her and held her. He cried. After a few minutes, Madison just grew angrier. She squeezed her brother's hand and gave him a small smile. She stood and gave Ms Beacon a kiss and a hug goodbye. Spencer did the same. He then held out his hand and Madison reached out and took it. They walked slowly down the hall when Spencer's phone rang. He pulled it out of his pocket to see it was Dave.

"Hold on a minute. I'm going to tell dad," said Spencer to Madison before he answered the phone.

Spencer turned his back for a moment as he spoke to Dave. Madison looked down the hall and saw the same officer standing at the end of it. They had unknowingly walked down the same hall where Stryder's room was. She looked over at Spencer and then the officer, they were both distracted. She took advantage and quickly made her way down the hall and into his room. She just needed to confront her enemy. She ran in and began hitting Stryder without warning, just pounding on his chest and slapping him across the face.

"You ass hole! She's dead because of you! It's your fault! You're just a pathetic loser and I will never, ever, ever love you again! I hate you! I hate you! I hate you!"

Madison screamed at, scratched and hit Stryder. He was weak and defenseless. He held up his arms the best he could. She got in a few good rounds before the officer ran in and pulled her off. Moments later Spencer was at the door, he followed the sound of her yelling.

"Madison!" Spencer snapped, "Dad, I'll call you back," he hung up the phone. "Maddy…."

Spencer pulled out his FBI badge to show the officer.

"I'll take it from here, thank you officer."

The officer nodded and let go of Madison's arm. A nurse soon ran in and began to look over Stryder and his new inquired injuries.

"Maddy, baby, I'm sorry….." Stryder began to say.

Spencer just glared at Stryder and guided his little sister out of the room cautiously.

CMCM

A week had passed since Ms Beacon had passed away. Bailey, as expected, did not take the news well. She had become even clingier onto Dave. He tried to have her play once with her friend Heather. Bailey treated her friend meanly and even hit her when she tried to play with one of her dolls. Dave separated the girls immediately. He apologized to Heather and her parents. He told them she still wasn't ready. Dave then arranged to add an extra day of therapy for Bailey. He wanted to do the same for Madison but knew she still wasn't talking with her therapist during the other times she was currently scheduled. Many days Dave was conflicted. He wanted to give each of his girls' equal amounts of time. He knew they both needed him. He also knew they were both dealing with the tragedy in their own ways.

Dave first dropped off Madison at school and then Bailey. He was heading back home when he needed to pull over. He just began to cry. He cried over the thought of how close he came to losing one if not both of his girls. He cried for the pain they were both in and how he couldn't just take it away as he so wished he could. He cried for the loss of Ms. Beacon whom he had trusted with his little girl. He allowed himself to feel vulnerable for just a few moments. It was the first time he had cried since the whole incident occurred. He knew he had to release his frustrations and could never show weakness in front of his children. He had to be strong for them. After he had a good cry, he felt pretty good. He felt once again he would be able to focus and be the knight in shining armor for his girls. He took a deep breath and went on with his day.

CMCM

"You look really cute today," said Katie as she caught up with Madison.

Madison looked down at her outfit then back up at Katie, she smiled and thanked her. It was a beautiful, sunny day and her outfit fit the weather. She was wearing a beautiful, form fitting, navy blue colored, spaghetti string top with lace details that held floral embellishments and ruffles at the neckline and hem. The top was finished with a preppy striped tie at waist. She matched her top with solid white short jean shorts that were cuffed at the end. They complimented her sexy, slender legs perfectly. She completed her look with Jeffrey Campbell Lita platform white crochet ankle boots. The two girls began to walk to class when Madison suddenly stopped. Katie turned around and walked back to her friend. "What's wrong? Why did you stop?" "I'm really not feeling school today. Let's go somewhere else," Madison suggested. "I can't today Maddy. I have a test in Math that is worth half the quarter grade. I can't miss it. My dad would kill me!" Madison sighed, "Okay, you go ahead. I'm going to figure something else out." "Are you sure you can't just stay?" Katie tried to convince her friend. Madison noticed a senior boy from the corner of her eye staring at her. It was Clay from the swim team. He had asked her out a few times but she was just never really into him. At that moment though she felt desperate and just wanted to leave. She knew he had his own car so she took advantage and acted on the idea that he was still crushing on her. She told Katie she would call her later and not to worry about her. Katie was hesitant but didn't want to be late for class so she left. Madison drew her attention to Clay. She smiled and made her way with a sultry walk over to his side. His friends were already scattering off to class as well. It was just the two of him. Clay was tall, well built and was cute in his own way. He gave her a huge smile. She knew at the moment he was indeed still crushing on her. "Hey, what would you think about you and me and getting out of here?" It didn't take him long to respond. "I would say hell ya!" "Great, let's go." Two hours later Madison and Clay were sitting on top of a picnic table at a local park. They were both drinking from a large bottle of rum. They had paid a homeless guy off to buy it for them along with any other drink he wanted for himself. Madison was clearly drinking a lot more than Clay was. He had a few sips and was holding a small buzz but it was Madison that was out-of-her-mind drunk. He took advantage and began to kiss her and feel her everywhere that was inappropriate. She was too drunk to put too much thought into what she was doing or what he was doing for that matter. She was kissing him back when suddenly she just passed out. Clay tried to wake her but she was out cold. Instead of doing the right thing, he just propped her against the nearest tree, left the bottle of rum and drove back to school. Clearly making it obvious as to why Madison always thought of him as a bit of a loser. Thirty minutes later she woke up and threw up next to where she was sitting. She saw the bottle of rum and took a couple of sips to get rid of the taste of just throwing up. Madison had a little clarity about her. It didn't take her long to realize she had been abandoned. She knew she had to call someone but wasn't sure who. She looked at her phone for a few moments before making her decision. It wasn't long before her ride showed up to pick her up. She had managed to walk over to the sidewalk as she had waited. He got out of the car and over to help her into the passenger side. He lifted her up without too much trouble and buckled her in. Before taking her home he wanted her to sober up so he drove her to his house. "Where did you get the liquor?" "Some homeless dude," she slurred. He sighed with frustration that too many adults on the streets could care less about preventing the youth to end up like them. "Were you just drinking alone?" "No, I was with a guy from school but I guess he freaked when I passed out." "Are you hurt at all?" "No, just feel a little sick to my stomach." "If you have to throw up, please let me know. I'll pull over right away." They made it to his house without having to pull the car over. He helped her out of the car. She attempted to walk but didn't do very well in her three inch heel shoes. He simply picked her up and carried her inside. He gently put her down on his couch. She looked up into his dark brown eyes and smiled at him. "Aaron?" "Yes?" "Would it be okay if I took a shower? I think I got some puke in my hair." "Yes, go ahead," he smiled, "everything you need is in the bathroom. I'll make some coffee." Madison took off her shoes and made her way to the bathroom. She managed to take a shower and sobered up a little bit but was still carrying a pretty good high. One big enough to give her enough courage to do what she had wanted to do for some time. She towel dried her hair and walked into the kitchen wearing nothing but a bath towel that barely covered her. She walked in and Aaron noticed her right away. "Where are your clothes?" He asked after he was able to clear his throat. "In the bathroom," she answered as she slowly walked over to the man she trusted with her heart. Aaron saw the look in her eyes. She looked at him exactly the way he was feeling about her. They were full of lust. She cornered him against his kitchen counter. He was fighting every urge in his body. She was so young, how could he have the thoughts as he did about her, he thought to himself. She was relentless. She was as close as she could be to him at that moment. He wanted to run but instead found himself lost in her eyes; her perfect, big, innocent baby blue eyes. She kissed him and he didn't stop her. He kissed her back for a moment or two before stopping. "No, Maddy no, we can't do this." She backed up and realized that she was hitting on a man she had called Uncle for many years. "I'm, I'm so sorry." She began to cry from embarrassment. He could see how fragile and vulnerable she felt at that moment. He just said the first thing he thought of without putting a lot of thought behind what he should have been saying. "Don't be sorry. I'm not. It's just that Dave will be here soon to pick you up. I'm sorry, I had to tell him. The school called him and he called me worried. I had to tell him you were safe with me." Aaron knew he should have been telling her that it was wrong and it could never happen between the two of them but he couldn't. The words refused to form themselves correctly and instead he was letting his heart speak for him instead of his brain. "Oh," she smiled happily, "I'll get dressed then." She went to get dressed, not caring that her father was going to be picking her up and no doubt be very upset with her. She dressed quickly and made her way back out. She was still slightly drunk but was sobering up fairly well. Aaron handed her a cup of coffee when there was a knock on the door. Aaron answered the door. Madison was directly behind him. She looked around Aaron and over at her father. "I'm sorry daddy." Dave just sighed. "I know. Come on, we have a lot to talk about," he then looked at Aaron, "thank you for picking her up and taking care of her." "Of course Dave, anytime." Aaron then looked at Madison and gave her a hug then bent slightly to look at her eye to eye. He knew Dave's plan and wanted to say goodbye properly. "I want you to know that I'm here for you anytime. I'm just a phone call away, always." "I know," she answered. "I love you." "I love you too," she smiled. It wasn't until he shut the door that Aaron let himself cry. He would miss her but he knew it was best for her. His brain knew that. His heart just hurt. CMCM Dave waited until Madison was completely sobered and well fed before he shared his plan with her. "You know young lady, under normal circumstances pulling a stunt like you did today would have you right over my knee." She looked down at her feet. "I know daddy, I am sorry. I just, just couldn't be at school today." "Well, doing what you did today showed me that something needs to done before you really hurt yourself," Dave paused for a few moments, not sure how to tell her. "Last week I spoke with Uncle Jason and he asked how you were doing. After I told him he had a few ideas of what we could do to help you. I told him I had it all under control. At least I thought I did until I called Aaron today to find out that you were at his house instead of school. He told me you had been drinking. After that I called Jason and he agrees with me." Madison looked at her father with wide scared eyes. "What do you both agree on?" She asked anxiously. "We both think you should stay with him in L.A. for awhile. We think you need a whole new environment. Just long enough to work through what you need to." "But daddy, I don't want to leave. Please daddy, I'm sorry. Please don't make me go." Dave allowed himself to cry in front of his little girl. With tear filled eyes he held her close. "I know princess. It's only for a little while. I promise it will be okay," he pulled away and looked into her eyes. "Saying goodbye for a short time is something I'm willing to do so I don't lose you forever." They both held each other. Dave cried as Madison just stood still looking blankly.

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