A.N. Sorry for the wait on this one! I'm very distracted from this fic with a longer idea I'm working on elsewhere. Then there's school and all that….

DJ

Moving in: Debbie

I didn't remember Emmerdale ever being this dark. Maybe a few street-lights were out. That would be just my luck. Kicked out and left in the dark.

A sharp wind bit at my exposed hands and I tucked them into my pockets.

At least I'd had time to grab a coat before I'd been kicked out this time.

I walked along the main road alone in the dark and the chill. The only sound was the crunch of my footsteps on the gravel.

Okay, so the hostel had been a terrible idea. But what was I thinking, trying to go back home?

Nobody wanted me there. No one had ever wanted me there. No one would even listen to me, especially not after I'd given Sarah to Emily. Lisa had been particularly bad. She seemed to think that I'd change my mind and want Sarah back if only dad brought her home. I'd tried to tell her she was wrong, and then when she wouldn't listen I showed her. That had only led to a heart-wrenching display of tears as Lisa broke down completely. My heart had cried just listening to her.

These past few days with her had been an emotional roller-coaster. The news that my dad was coming home had made everyone float with happiness and sent me into a panic. He couldn't bring her home. I couldn't say goodbye to her again. For the last two days, I'd been cursing my own fate and trying to hold my uncaring image while inside, I was rapidly shifting between overwhelming fear and crushing sadness.

Now Dad was back. Far from smoothing out the rough edges between me and the rest of the family, his presence had been the match that lit the keg.

He hadn't found Sarah. I couldn't tell if I was happy or upset about that. But I was definitely relieved. She was safe. She was with Emily.

No one else thought this was a positive thing.

Apparently, my lack of an appropriate reaction was the final push that Lisa needed. We'd argued, said some things, things I probably shouldn't have mentioned. Then she'd hit me. Then she'd hit me again. And again. I thought she was going to kill me.

I'd been thrown out after that.

I started to climb the hill, letting the exertion of the climb wash over my emotional turmoil.

That had been two days ago.

No matter what I did, everything turned out wrong. I'd broken everyone's hearts.

My father's parting words from earlier tonight echoed endlessly in my head. "You're poison…you mean nothing to me…"

I climbed faster, my feet sliding a little on the slippery stones. The silence and malicious side-glances in that house had become too much to bear. I'd spent a day in a hostel and no one had cared. Their lives were better without me, happier without me. They preferred it that way.

So I left.

The nuisance was gone, the unholy pest finally booted out.

Now there was only one place I could go.

When I reached the top of the hill, my lungs were burning and tears pricked my eyes. My whole body felt warm and sweaty inside my coat, sending little clammy shivers through me as the wind brushed my skin.

Really, there had only ever been one place for me.

I gazed down at the vicarage from atop the hill as I struggled to regain my breath.

It sat there quietly, calmly, like a devoted bowing their head in prayer. A few lights were still on, despite the late hour setting in. I wondered what everyone was doing down there. How normal their lives were. How blissful.

After staring for a moment, I'd finally started down the hill, my heartrate still not slowing.

I'd run to the vicarage a few nights ago the second I found out Sarah might be coming home. But by cruel chance, Jas had gone out. And her phone was off.

Standing there at the door with Ashley gently telling me Jasmine was gone, unreachable, I'd panicked. For the first time in my life, I felt truly alone against the world. It had felt like Ashley had just told me she died.

I hadn't realized just how dependent I was on her until that moment. I'd always handled things alone. But standing outside her door in the dark, my useless phone illuminated in my shaking hand, I'd been so afraid.

I needed Jasmine. She couldn't be there for me all the time.

My feet slid slightly as I reached the road and I stumbled, anticipating a fall. Somehow, I avoided that. One lucky break for tonight I suppose.

Chas had taken me in for a night after Lisa had battered me but it was clear I wasn't wanted there anymore than at home.

Luckily, Jas had been home today. I'd run to her this morning and begged for help, support, anything trying not to cry as her presence brought an undeniable comfort that I never wanted to fade.

She'd given it all, everything I'd asked for even though she didn't want me to go.

Fat lot of good that did me. I'd run away from the hostel, desperate not to join the homeless losers in there. Desperate not to be so far away from Jasmine. I'd decided I could suffer through any family drama so long as I had Jas nearby to escape to. How wrong I'd been. I couldn't handle them, not even for a little while.

And now here I was again. Running to her. Begging for help.

By this time, I'd reached the door.

Please be home…please…this time be here…

I lifted my hand but didn't knock. I couldn't knock. I don't think I'd be able to hold myself together if Ashley answered again and told me Jas wasn't here.

Out living her life. Without me.

Doubling back, I walked around the vicarage until I reached the back. There was a small window on the second story with the light on. Memories of this summer came rushing back. Of tossing pebbles at this window to get Jasmine to come out.

I leaned down and scooped up the first pebble I saw. I let it fly and it tapped against the window. I stood waiting in the dark. Waiting for my judgment.

Please Jas…please.

For a few seconds, the world seemed to stop. All that existed was me. Staring up at this window with the light on. Waiting. Hoping.

Please.

The window opened and the light from above spilled around me. I was not alone.

"Debbie…" There was no question as to my presence. She simply accepted it.

"Jas, can I come in? Please?" My voice was shaking so badly I could hardly get above a whisper.

She leaned further out the window, peering down at me through the darkness. "Why don't you come in the door?"

I didn't answer but she seemed to hear the reason anyway. How was I supposed to explain my irrational fear of her not being there?

"Alright, I'll be right down."

DJ

Jasmine opened the door and quietly ushered me up the stairs to her room. Thankfully, we didn't run into anyone on our way up. I knew Ashley would probably send me back home if he found me.

Jasmine shut her door and turned to face me. "What happened?" She asked me gently, sitting us down on her bed.

I was shaking so hard I could do nothing but stare at her.

"Debs?"

I met her soft, compassionate gaze and I broke. "They don't want me…no one…they don't…don't care…"

Jasmine opened her arms and pulled me close. I fell against her chest, sobbing uncontrollably.

"Shh.." She said, stroking my hair. "Don't cry… it'll be alright…"

I snuggled closer to her, gripping her arm tightly. Her hold was sturdy and firm, holding me together.

She just kept gently stroking my hair and shoulder, repeating her soothing words. But I could feel her trembling. She was affected by my turmoil, she responded to it. Without my even saying the words, she knew why I'd left this time. It wasn't stubbornness, it wasn't a desire to be independent or run from my abusive relatives. This time I had come because this was the only place I felt wanted. Jasmine was the only one who wanted me.

And I had sought her out.

I sniffed loudly and felt my heart flutter as Jasmine pressed a soft kiss to my hairline.

Jasmine not only soothed my pain. She shared it. She felt it herself. At that moment, I'd never felt closer to anyone. Jasmine had become, without a shadow of a doubt, my best friend. Forevermore, I'd hold a special place in my heart for her.

"Knock, knock!" Ashley called through the door. We both froze, glancing fearfully at the door. After a second, I tried to pull away, to run and hide. But Jasmine tightened her hold.

"It'll be alright," Jasmine whispered comfortingly. She laid her head against mine. "Just stay in my arms." Her heartbeat was strong and calm. Hypnotizing. I nodded, not trusting my voice.

The door opened and Ashley entered, holding Gabby in his arms. His expression fell as he saw us. I froze in place, unable to move. What was he going to do? Kick me out? Lecture me? Send me back?

Jasmine looked up at him.

"Please Ashley," she begged, her hold on me never loosening. "She's got nowhere else to go."

Ashley's gaze softened. Jasmine lay her head against mine again.

That was how I came to live with Jasmine.