(A/N: A big thank you for the review and follows:) The mistakes in chapter 2 have now been edited. I hope you guys enjoy this chapter and review some more:) )

Normally, home is the place you can go to for safety and sanctuary. The one place that you know nothing can get to you. That you're guarded against the world. Unfortunately, this wasn't true for Rose. When she got home, she found Constance and Madeline waiting for her along side her mother. Thankfully, Cal was not amongst them, even though it wouldn't have surprised Rose if he was.

"There you are. The girls told me that you seemed to have disappeared off school property today," Ruth stood there glaring at her daughter, with her hands on her hips. "And you threw some disgusting accusations at poor Caledon. What has gotten into you Rose?"

Rose glared at the two girls she had once considered friends. She was not surprised that they went running to her mother. How convenient for them.

"I did not leave school property mother. I just hid from them after they ambushed me in the hall, along with Cal."

"And the accusations against Caledon, Rose? How could you claim such falsehoods, just like that Annabelle girl. I want you to apologize to the boy, Rose. The last thing any of us need is you being shipped off like that girl."

"Apologize? I'm not the one who needs to apologize! Why is everyone so sure that I'm lying and he's telling the truth? You weren't there and neither were they! But I was! I was the one that Cal forced himself on, refused to listen when I said no! He was the one that...," she gasped as Ruth coldly walked up and slapped her hard across the face.

"There is no argument to what you are going to do Rose. You will apologize to Caledon. You will apologize to your friends, and you will return to behaving like the young lady that I raised you to be. This rebellious stage stops now."

Rose stared at her mother through hurt, devastated eyes. She didn't even bother looking at the other two girls in the room both looking rather awkward. She just couldn't believe it. Her mother slapped her for telling the truth. For being a victim. It was the worse betrayal of all and reminded her that she truly was alone. No one here was on her side and never would be.

"Go to hell mother and take Caledon Hockley with you," Rose answered, just as coldly before running out the door. She didn't even bother getting back into her car. It was part of a world that she desperately needed to escape from. She let her own legs carry her away from the house, away from the pain that her life had turned into.

…..

By the time Rose had stopped running, her legs and feet were sore and looking around, she realized that she was lost. She had no clue where she was, nor what she was going to do. Spotting a bench across the street from her, she went and sat down and covered her face with her hands and sobbed, feeling alone and helpless. It was just as she had originally thought. No one would believe her. They rather inflict more pain on her than believe anything bad of Caledon Hockley. She was alone and lost, with no family or friend to turn to. Well, that wasn't true. There was Trudy, but she didn't want to drag her into this.

Sniffling, Rose stood up and dug in her pockets on the off chance that she had some money on her. Her hands wrapped around a folded piece of paper. She took it out and opened it to find a number. Jack's number.

"My phone number. If you need anything…anything at all, even if it's just someone to yell at, give me a ring. It's my cell so I'll answer."

Jack. She can call Jack. He did say if she needed anything and right now, she needed to get away from her mother and Caledon Hockley's world. She needed to get somewhere where she can feel safe for once. Somewhere that will keep her protected from people like Cal. She didn't know if Jack would know of such a place, but as of right now, he was the only person she could turn to for any real help. She took out her cellphone, ignoring all the missed messges and dialed Jack's number, hoping for the best.

…..

Jack was in midst of working on his new masterpiece when his cellphone rang. He frowned. His friends usually avoided calling him at this time, knowing that he'd be working on his art. This was unlike them. He was tempted to ignore the call, but the fact that this was unusual told him it could be important. He picked up the phone and looked at the number, frowning as he didn't recognize the number. He answered it anyway.

"Hello?"

At first no one said anything. There was just some soft sniffling in the background. He frowned. "Hello? Anyone there?"

Her voice was so choked with tears, he almost didn't recognize it. "Jack?"

"Rose! Hey, hi. Are you ok? You sound like you're crying?" He was immediately concerned. What happened? Did Hockley corner her again?

"I…I'm lost. I don't know where I am. I kind of ran away from home and I don't know where I am and I can't go home and I'm sorry to disturb you, but…"

"I'll come get you. Stay where you are. Can you give me a clue on your location?" He pretty much knew Los Angelas well. Julie had given him numerous tours when he had moved here from Chippewa Falls and the locations pretty much stuck with him.

"There's a shopping center down a ways. I think it's the grove…it's the only one that I live a few miles from…"

"Okay. Stay where you are. I'm on my way," Jack got up and grabbed his car keys. "Do you want me to stay on the phone with you or will you be ok if I hang up?"

"I'll be alright, I think."

"Okay, but if you feel like you need to talk to me or anything just call me right back, Rose. I'm on my way."

"Thank you Jack," Rose sniffed before hanging up.

Fifteen minutes later, he almost drove past her if it hadn't been for her red hair. He pulled up and got out of the car and slowly approached her. She was still crying and he gasped when he saw the red mark on her face, as if someone had slapped her good and hard. He felt anger rise up in his chest. Who would dare do that to her? If it was Hockley, he'll kill him. He didn't care how rich the fucker was, he could still die like everyone else.

"Rose," He sat down next to her, not making a move to touch her yet, not sure just how welcomed such a move would be. He still remembered how skittish Lisa had been. He closed his eyes at the thought of his poor sister. She never did recover from what had happened to her. The loss of her still stung and made him more determined than ever to help Rose through this. "Someone hit you? Who?"

Rose sniffed, trying to wipe away her own tears, embarrassed to once again be a emotional mess in front of Jack. Couldn't she ever for once be normal when they meet? "My mother. She didn't like what I had to say."

"Still no excuse to hit you," Jack took off his jacket and placed it around Rose's shoulders. It will be night soon and would be chilly. "Is there anywhere particular that you want me to take you?"

Rose shook her head. "Just anywhere away from here. Away from these people…"

Jack could only nod his head. He knew exactly where to take her. Somewhere that was calm, peaceful, and away from anyone from her world and his for that matter. "I know just the place. Come on…" He gently took her hand. When she didn't protest the contact, he helped her to her feet and into the waiting car. "Did you come this far on foot?"

Rose just nodded. "It was stupid, I know. I just…"

"Hey, you don't have to explain anything to me, alright? Sometimes, just running without a care can feel good."

He got into the car and drove towards his house. "We'll stop at my place for a second, ok. I just have to get a few things and then I'll take you somewhere quiet."

Rose just nodded, letting Jack take the lead. It felt good not having to think about what to do next. To trust that the person she's with would take care of everything. To actually have someone to trust like that. She paused. Did she trust Jack? She had just met him, yet he has done more for her and her peace of mind than anyone she had known for longer than a few days. Yes. Somehow, she did trust him. Not once had he ever pushed her to share what had happened, what had made her such a mess. he just helped her, without having to be asked and without judgment. He was probably the only human being that she did trust right now.

Jack pulled up into a garage of a two story brick house. It wasn't as nice as her mother's house or the houses in her neighborhood, but it wasn't shabby either. "Stay here. I'll be right back. I'm just going to go in and get some food and supplies. I'll be back in a few minutes, I promise."

Rose just nodded and watched him dart out of the car and into a door to the right that looked to lead into a kitchen. She wondered what Jack's house was like. Surely it was nothing like her own, which resembled a small museum thanks to her mother. Immaculate and sterile. Not a sign of life anywhere. She bet Jack's house was full of life and the signs of the people that lived there.

Jack in the meanwhile darted up to his room and grabbed some blankets and some sleeping bags, not exactly knowing what he would need or for how long. He then went downstairs, grabbed a bag and started filling it with drinks and food.

"Going somewhere, Jack?" Julie stood behind him, her arms crossed. Jack had been gone for quite a while and now here he was back, ready to go out again for what looked to be a over night thing. "What's going on?"

Jack stopped and sighed. He really wasn't in the mood to have to deal with his cousin right now. "I just need some time to myself right now, Jules. Nothing's going on."

"Is it Lisa? You've been thinking about her a lot lately. You know, I miss her too."

Jack froze at the name of his beloved sister and sadly looked at his cousin. Julie was probably the only person who knew just how deeply affected he had been by Lisa's death. "I know."

"She wouldn't want you to be sad. She would want you to be happy and around the family that loves you. Going off to that cove to brood…it's not healthy."

"I don't go there much anymore. And I'm fine. It helps me clear my head and think and that's what I need to do right now." Hopefully it'll do the same for Rose as well. "I have to go. If Fabri and Tommy call, tell them I'll meet up with them at school tomorrow."

Julie watched Jack go. She was pretty sure that he wasn't telling her something. In fact, he's been weird all day if she was being honest with herself, but that was only because he liked that girl from White Star Academy and knew that she didn't like it and didn't want to listen to her talk some sense into him. If Jack was hiding something, he wouldn't for long. He'll tell her whenever he was ready.

…..

They didn't talk as Jack returned to the car and drove to the beach. He didn't park in the parking lot, but drove up to where there was a rocky section of the beach. There were rumors that there were caves here, but she had never explored or checked them out. In fact, this was her first time at this part of the beach.

"Follow me," Jack got out of the car, grabbing the supplies and his portfolio. Rose did as she was told. Her tears were now dried and she felt numb, but she still wasn't ready to return home and she definitely didn't want to see her mother anytime soon. So she followed Jack, trusting that he knew where he was taking her and sure enough he did. He led her to a cave that looked out at the ocean. It was far enough away that it wouldn't be bothered by high or low tide yet near enough for a nice view of the ocean and to hear the waves crash against the shore.

"Here we are," He led her inside and spread down a blanket onto the sandy floor. "What I call home away from home. I used to come here all the time when I first moved here. It helped me think and brood and and even become inspired. It's the perfect place. Nothing here but the ocean, sky, and sand and rock."

"Who else knows about this place?" Rose asked, curiously, following Jack into the cave.

"My cousin Julie, but she knows to leave me alone when I come here. That it's my space to be alone and contemplative," Jack sat down and then patted the space next to him for her to sit as well.

"Your special place, and you brought me here?" Rose accepted the offer.

"Yeah. Why not? This place, it saw me through the grief of losing my sister…of getting over the anger of what happened to her. It helped me heal. I was thinking that maybe it can help you in the same way. Be a safe place that you can go to when you need it to be just you and the elements and your thoughts."

"I didn't know you had a sister. Well we just met, so I wouldn't know that, would I?" Rose blushed at the question after realizing how silly it was.

Jack's smile was sad. "She died before I moved here. We were twins. Her name was Lisa Dawson. When we were children, we were inseparable."

"Oh Jack," she took his hand in hers, seeing the pain in his eyes. It was evident that he had loved his sister dearly, and to lose her… "How did she die?"

Jack didn't know if talking about Lisa with Rose was wise, but then again maybe Lisa's story will help Rose see that she can trust him. That she can talk to him and there would be no judgment. "She…she committed suicide. Took a bottle of my father's pain medication. By time I found her it was too late."

Rose gasped, remembering how they had met. What he must have thought of her. The memories that must have brought up. She felt like an even bigger heel. "Why did she do it?"

Jack took a deep breath, steeling himself to talk about what had happened to Lisa and why. If it was anybody else asking him this, he'd tell them to fuck off, but this was Rose. She reminded him so much of Lisa, it was scary. If Lisa's story could help her…whether it's seeking help or realizing that she's not alone, well he'd gladly tell it.

"She was attacked…raped by someone she trusted…that we all trusted. He was a family friend. She was broken afterward. The look in her eyes…I wanted to help her so much, but she wouldn't let me. She kept blaming herself. In her mind he was the innocent one. She couldn't see that the one at fault was him and him alone. She kept pushing me and my parents away. A couple of weeks later, it seemed like she was getting better. We spent time together. She had let me sketch her, something she hadn't done since it happened. Afterward, we had an awesome day together just watching movies and it was like when we were kids again. The inseparable Dawson twins. I thought everything was going to be okay."

Tears split from Rose's eyes. For once, they weren't tears for herself. They were tears for Lisa Dawson and the twin brother that had obviously loved her more than anything. The pain she must have been in.

"The next day was a Sunday and she spent it with our parents. They went to church and then to lunch. I went to a friend's house. If I had known, I wouldn't have gone. I would have stayed home and emptied all those fucking pills on dad's dresser. I would had never let her out of my sight, but I didn't know and neither did they. They went visiting some friends while she went home and when I came home, I found her body on the floor, her hand clutching the empty bottle of pills and a letter to me on my dresser explaining why she did it. That she couldn't live with the pain and the self-blame anymore. That she was sorry for being the cause of that bastard being in prison."

Jack looked down at the hand that Rose wasn't holding, realizing that it was balled into a tight fist, something that always happened when he thought of the man that destroyed his sister. "I wish I could kill him. I would love to just tear him apart like he did to my sister and it still wouldn't be enough."

"I'm so sorry Jack. It's obvious that you loved her. I wish I could bring her back for you."

"It's okay She and my parents are together now. They died in a fire a few months after and I came here to live with my aunt and uncle. The only good thing about that is there's no memories, but I still think of her everyday and I'll never forget the look in her eyes after it had happened. The look that had never left. Her soul was shattered and she wouldn't let me help put the pieces back together again."

Rose looked away from him, wondering if she should tell him about Cal, that is if he hadn't already guessed it. He was so quick to help her and now she understood why.

"Rose, look at me."

She couldn't refuse him. She looked at him and his blue eyes took her in, surrounding her with warmth and safety and friendship.

"You don't have to tell me anything if you don't want to. I'm not going to push even though, after what happened to Lisa…but I understand that can make things worse. But you have the same look in your eyes that she had in hers, Rose. That's why I was so quick to talk you out of jumping off that balcony that night. I saw the sane pain that Lisa went through. I couldn't help Lisa. I couldn't make her see that it wasn't her fault. But I hope I have better luck with you. It wasn't your fault Rose. It's his and his only. Don't let him or anyone else put his crime on you."

Rose was silent. She just sat there, taking his words in. She could tell Jack and for once someone would believe her. He wouldn't tear her down or make it seem like her fault. He would be the one person on her side and god she needed that right now, more than anything. She just needed someone to believe her. Even if nothing happened to Cal, at least there would be someone that wouldn't make his crime her fault. It just hurt that the person couldn't be her mother or her friends that had known her longer than Jack.

"It…it was Cal," Her voice was almost a whisper, but he could still hear every word. "Caledon Hockley, the guy you've been helping me avoid and now you know why. We were dating and the weekend before last, he wanted to…but I was virgin…I wanted to wait. I know it sounds hokey, but I always wanted my first time to be special with a large rose petal covered bed, champagne or wine, music and candles and the guy…he would be the one…the one man in all the world that I knew I was going to be with forever. He'd be gentle and loving and perfect. I didn't want it to be in a car, rough and horrible. Well when I kept saying no, he got angry. He hit me and tore at my clothes and…," a sob came next. She couldn't, she just couldn't finish the words. The memory of it was just too much.

"Rose," was all Jack could say, his voice full of sympathy. He wrapped his arms around her and held her against his chest, guarding her against the memories and the pain of even talking about it.

"I knew that no one would believe me. I knew that everyone sees Caledon Hockley as some golden boy, apple of his father's eyes. A fine catch for any girl to date. No one would believe me when I told them what a monster he really is. Proof of that was that dance. My so called friends were gossiping about Cal's ex girlfriend Annabelle Watson. He had done the same thing to her apparently. She had tried to tell her parents, but instead of bringing charges against him, they accused her of lying and sent her to a psyche ward."

"Shit, that's fucked up…."

"It is, isn't it? Well that was the proof I needed that no one would believe me, even if I told. It'd be all my fault and I'll be just like Annabelle, sent to a psyche ward so Caledon's name couldn't be tarnished by scandal. I was just going to jump off the balcony because I felt so hopeless and it was just too much; But then there you were, a handsome boy telling me not to do it. Making me see that I wouldn't be punishing anyone but myself. You even helped me avoid Cal that night, but now what happened to Anna is going to be what happens to me, because I made the mistake of giving my friends and mother the benefit of the doubt. I told them what Cal had done and all I got was an ambush by my friends and a nice hard slap from my mother. So I ran away. I wanted to kill myself again, but I called you instead. Your number was in my pocket and I kept hearing your voice telling me to call you…"

"Well I'm glad you did, Rose."

"I don't know what I'm going to do now. I guess go home and prepared to be sent off somewhere. Maybe I'll even share a room with Annabelle. We can compare notes."

"What about your dad? Is he around?"

"My dad could care less about what happens to me. He has a newlife now. He has a new wife and a new house. He doesn't need his damaged daughter showing up on his doorstep."

"Have you tried talking to him? I mean, it's your senior year. You'll be eighteen soon. Maybe he can let you stay with him until you graduate or turn eighteen if your mother is so determined to send you away."

"I don't know Jack. I'm scared. If he says no, there will be no choice."

Jack hugged her closer, his voice full of determination. "Yes there is Rose. There is. I will not let them send you away. I promise."

"And how are you going to stop them? I doubt that your aunt and uncle will let me stay with you."

"Hmmm, well I brought my sleeping bag and I can bring you food and if you have someone you can trust to get you some clothes you can stay here. I mean, it's not cold yet. It is Southern California and no one knows of this cave except Julie and myself. You can stay here at least until we can find somewhere else for you to go, that is if you want to."

She had to admit that she liked Jack's plan. She was safe here. No one knew where she was, who she was with or what she was doing. They couldn't find her.

"How about school tomorrow? Madeline and Constance will be there, not to mention Cal."

"Hang out with me and my friends. Fabri, Tommy, and Helga won't mind and Julie won't say anything once I have a talk with her. I'll make sure that your old friends won't bother you or you can just skip tomorrow if you feel like. It's up to you. Look, sleep on it alright? I'll stay with you for most of tonight and then stop back here on the way to school to see if you feel up to going. Is that a good plan?"

Rose just nodded and closed her eyes, feeling sleepy from all the emotions she had swept through in so short a time. "Thank you Jack. You've been a great friend, more of a friend than anyone has been in a long time."

"You're welcome Rose. I'll do my best to do right by you. I promise. I won't let you go through this alone, not anymore. For now on it's you jump, I jump. Just like when we first met."

Rose smiled sleepily in response. "You jump, I jump. I like that," she yawned and snuggled closer in his embrace, feeling safe and well taken care of.

"That's our motto," Jack chuckled.

He stayed in that cave until he was sure that Rose was good and asleep. Making sure that the sleeping bag was spread beneath her, Jack lowered Rose down onto it and covered her up with a blanket. He gently kissed her cheek. "Sweet dreams Rosie. See you tomorrow."

Taking one last look at her, Jack left the cove and headed for home, his mind full of what he had just learned. He was determined to help Rose and keep her from being sent away somehow. Not only in memory of his sister, but for her own sake as well.