I just want all of you AMAZING readers (who have given me the most AMAZING feedback! THANK YOU!) to know that I do not own anything, that the ages are a little jacked up because of the timeline I have started things at, and that I love you all for clicking the link that lead you to this crazy story. Thank all of you that reviewed and/or favorite-ed and/or followed my story.

Important-ish: I know that all of the POV changes may be a little hard to follow, but until Nicolette's trial is over, most of the parts with her and Max or her with any male in particular will most likely be in her POV to give some insight into what she is thinking without totally screwing everyone up. I can't seem to write like that. You can even ask every English teacher I've ever had.

I'm super duper sorry for everything that is screwed up.

Chapter 24: Parents and Patience

Christian and Ana rushed into the elevator, typed the pin number into the pad, and twitched as they watched the numbers above the doors change with each floor. Both breathed in deeply before they walked into the penthouse and spotted the security guys standing outside the Great Room.

"What happened?" Christian demanded. Ryan was the first to step up.

"I was watching the security footage, sir. Nicolette and Mr. Hartsville were doing the dishes before Gail shooed them off and said that Nicolette had a visitor- probably not recognizing Oliver. The boys were fighting over something, Nicolette grabbed her leg, Max touched her legs and she seemed completely fine. Shit went down when Oliver pushed Max out of the way and touched her legs. She looked like she was frozen. Taylor calmed her down while Gail called Dr. Flynn." Ryan reported. Christian sighed and tugged at his hair.

"Did Doctor Flynn say to stay out of the room, or can we check on her?" Ana asked. Ryan stepped back and motioned for the door. Ana smiled tightly at him as she and Christian rushed past them and into the Great Room.

Doctor Flynn was sitting in the arm chair while Nicolette was awkwardly curled into Max's side. Her casts making it seem rather uncomfortable.

"Nicolette, do you remember what was going on when you were away from Max and Oliver?" Flynn asked, Nicolette shrugged. Max whispered something inaudible in her ear.

Nicolette frowned, but nodded. Max pressed a kiss to the top of her forehead and got up and strode towards the worried parents.

"I'll fill you in. Just come with me." Max whispers to the Greys. Both Ana and Christian hesitate but they followed Max.

Max nods at the security guys, who make themselves scarce, and turned toward Ana and Christian

"I got her to start talking, we did the usual thing we do. Play the piano and reassure ourselves with the beat of music. That's her thing. She knows that people may not always be there for her, but she can always count on the steady beat of music when she needs it. That's how she's moved on from things." Max paused.

"We were trying to get some of the dishes wiped off to help Gail. When she came in and told us that Nicolette had a visitor. It was Oliver. Nicolette asked him what he was doing here and he said that he wanted to see that she was OK. Not that he had called, texted, emailed or anything. When Nicolette told him about that little fact, he said that he was busy with med school. I pointed out that I took two sick days to be on call for Nicolette's every whim. I was here the day she got back, while she slept all day, and the day after when she was too drugged up to know her first name. He said that med school was his first priority. I asked him where Nicolette was on that priority list." Christian laughed, trust the man that he couldn't stand being in the same room as his daughter, to be the first to stand by her side.

"Then Nicolette's leg started hurting, though I think she was trying to keep either of us killing each other and that she just faked the leg pain. But I asked her the usual when someone's in pain, what is it, and do you need pain meds. Then Oliver shoved me out of the way, saying that he is a doctor and therefore, should be looking at her legs. But the second he touched her legs. Her eyes widened and she stilled. She was so freaking still. Then she started hyperventilating. Next thing I know Ryan and Strong are hauling Oliver away from her while Taylor is talking to her." Max answered. Christian ran his hands through his hair.

"Was she alright- after Taylor talked to her?" Ana asked, biting her lip nervously.

"She was pretty shaken, mumbling about how she couldn't get away from him, how he was always there. Watching. She always emphasizes him and he. It's like she's talking about Jaxon Logan, but is too afraid to say his name." Max shakes his head.

Ana sighed.

"How are we going to help her? She won't even talk to us." Ana asked.

"Don't talk listen." Max smiled shaking his head.

"I don't get it." Ana asked, raising a brow. Even the usual stoic Christian looked baffled.

"Her music. When ever she writes and plays it. Listen to the tone of the song, listen to the lyrics. I find that the best way to get inside her head, is to listen to what she plays. Her music is always based on what she is feeling. That I'm sure of." Max nodded at the worried parents, he looked over his shoulder and winced at the time.

"I gotta get the boys home, they have school tomorrow. Have a good night, sir, ma'am." Max nodded at her parents again and turned towards the living room.

-...- In The Great Room... Nicolette's POV

I stared at Dr. Flynn. The weird British man made me nervous for some reason. Like he knew everything I was thinking by just staring at me.

It was awful.

"So, do you remember what was going on when you weren't exactly here anymore?" Dr. Flynn asked for the second time. I blanch. Should I tell him? Would he think the same things as he did? Would he determine that I'm not worth anything?

"You know, you can sit there and not tell me anything. Or you can talk to me and get better. It's all your decision." Dr. Flynn spoke again.

"He was there, I could feel his hands touching me, I could feel his breath on me and I could feel him... I could feel him..." I trailed off, embarrass about what I could feel.

"You felt him... inside... you again?" Dr. Flynn asked. I could only nod. Hot tears sprung behind my eyes.

"Is he always there? Do you always feel him around you?" Dr. Flynn questioned. I rubbed my arms as I nodded.

"Your dad told me that you haven't been talking as much when he saw me this morning." Dr. Flynn spoke, watching as my face twisted in curiosity.

"Did you know that your dad saw me most mornings?" He asked, I shook my head no.

"Well, he does. I'm going to let him tell you why... when he's ready. But yes, we talk most mornings. Usually about how he's doing, what's going on, how he's dealing with what's going on. Your father is very much a control freak. He likes to be able to control what will happen around him. He also needs to keep those he loves safe. His parents, his siblings, your mother... You. You have been the topic of most of our conversations recently. He wants to help you. He just doesn't know how." Dr. Flynn shrugs lightly as he finishes talking.

"Why?" I ask.

"Why what?" Dr. Flynn shoots back.

"Why does he care about me? I've only been here a couple of weeks. Just because he's the reason for half of my DNA doesn't mean he has to care." I explain.

"Your father loves you, because you're you. He feels the connection that father's have for their daughters. Their little girls. He cares for you because he loves you. He may not realize it. But he does." Dr. Flynn said gently.

I shrug.

"Why would you question Christian's love for you?" Flynn asked. I shrug.

"Did Jaxon Logan tell you that?" Flynn asked. There it was. His name. And I'm taken back to that stupid cottage in stupid Calescent, Utah.

Flashback! Nicolette's POV

He had been especially angry today. I told him that my dad would find me, and when he did that he would kick his sorry ass. He paced around the living room while I stood in the stupid white baby doll hooker dress. He suddenly launches himself at me, and I'm on the floor as he rains punches down on me. Then my legs are open and he is shoving himself inside me. He's grunting as he does this.

I am still but shouting.

"Stop it! You're hurting me!"

More punches come down on me. Then he's done with my body, as he stands panting. His liquids run down my legs.

A slap finds my face and he glowers at me.

"Your father doesn't want you. Hell, he doesn't even like you. In fact He's stopped his search for you." And then he's gone.

OK Back to Humanity! Again, Nicolette's POV

Dr. Flynn is staring at me with that all knowing look again.

"He did, didn't he?" Dr. Flynn asked. I nod slowly.

"Nicolette, your father loves you. And did his best to find you. Even after two months had gone by he had people searching every corner of the world for you." Dr. Flynn spoke, I gave him a tight smile.

"Nicolette, we are done for tonight. But I am going to give you some homework. Before you see me again, I want you to have made a list of all of the reasons why Ana and Christian shouldn't love you. Alright?" Dr. Flynn asked.

I nodded, gulping. As soon as Dr. Flynn opens the door, mom and dad come rushing through. Both wrapping me in a warm hug. I relish in the warmth. Dad looks over his shoulder for a second before turning back to me.

"Why don't you go take a bath and then get ready for bed, besides Max and the boys want to say goodnight. Your father and I will be in to say goodnight soon." Mom whispers in my ear. I nod, and both parents help me off the couch and into the wheelchair. I push myself out of the Great Room and Max and the boys help me up the stairs. By the time I reach my room the boys have probably said goodnight five times.

I kiss each on the cheek.

"Goodnight, Nikki." Max whispered kissing me on my forehead.

"Goodnight, Maxwell." I grin as he winces at the sound of his name.

"Cheeky girl." He teases. I shrug and he opens the door to my room for me before the boys pull him out of the hall and down the stairs. Knowing that they could sleep again in the truck.

000...000...000 With Dr. Flynn, Ana and Christian. Third Person POV.

"Not only does she worry about what will happen to Logan, but she doubts her worth. She worries that the two of you will decide you don't want to deal with someone who can't even walk and ship her back to Haven." Dr. Flynn spoke. Ana and Christian sighed.

"Can we do anything to help her?" Ana asked.

"Yes, treat her exactly how you did before she was kidnapped. I spoke to Max alone and that is how he and his brothers treated her tonight, and according to him, she was speaking." Flynn answered.

"Anything else?" Christian asked.

"She doesn't understand why any of you care for her. I believe that it is because Logan told her that she was worthless among an assortment of other things on a daily basis. And she started believing it. Just show her that you love her and she will be fine. The panic attack earlier was caused by someone she didn't trust touching her legs. She said that she felt his hands all over her again. Touches from strange people are triggers, I would not allow her to hide. If she did, she could have a fear of people touching her. Take her out into public, do not take her to really busy places, but places where it wouldn't be uncommon for someone to accidently bump into her. We can't let her fear being touched." Flynn answered.

Ana and Christian nodded.

"Just remember, she doesn't mean to be rude or ungrateful, she's readjusting to situations after everything was do this or face the consequences. Have patience. I will see you guys and her, Monday evening." Flynn nodded, before turning and leaving.

Ana sighed. She was not going to let Nicolette fear being touched.

Silently, Christian was agreeing.