Jack

I stared at the room blinking in disbelief. Where was she?

"Where's Kim?" I said, feeling tears build in my eyes as my heart was breaking with each word that I said.

Milton clapped me on the shoulder "don't panic she might have gone for more tests"

I shook my head "or that bastard's come and taken her again. I know I shouldn't panic but what if I've lost her for good this time. I don't like not knowing where she is"

There was a weak laugh from behind us.

I turned round to see Kim. "Well you are really protective of me, but you shouldn't worry my stomach hurt so they took me for more tests that's all"

I hugged her tight "I guess I just panicked I thought he had come back"

Kim broke down in tears.

I put my hand on her knee "hey its okay we're both fine – well as fine as can be with the press outside the windows."

Kim stopped crying after ten minutes and put her hand on her cheek. "You were right he did. Now can you help me into bed please before I end up sleeping in this stupid chair?"

I blinked "now that's the woman I love and that I am scared of sometimes"

She giggled as I helped her into the bed "Jack I didn't think he was stupid enough to come back"

I kissed her forehead "but he was honey and I don't want you to be here without any protection especially if he's been drinking"

"no-one else should be put in danger because of me" Kim snapped.

"Oh honey we just want you to be happy" Milton said

"I'm happy the way things are" Kim snapped.

Milton made some excuse and made a quick getaway. I don't blame him to be honest. Kim was in one of her moods and everyone knows its best to leave her until she has calmed down. Unfortunately I don't do that.

I took her hand. "You know that is not true"

Kim burst into tears "I've been such a cow to everyone"

"Well yeah you have" I said

She pushed me playfully. "Cheeky sod"

Kim promised me that she would think about it at least.

She curled up against my body and closed her eyes.

I tried to sleep too but my face was aching like hell and I had a banging headache. I tried telling one of the nurses but she refused to give me anything for the pain.

Kim

I thought about it the police protection idea. I truly did and it wasn't actually a completely bad idea. I even made a pro and con list. Pros: my safety is paramount; maybe I would be able to sleep better; Jack would actually have a less stressful life; I would be treated like someone famous; my own bodyguards. Cons: it will be embarrassing; my live wouldn't be normal again; never being alone; no independence; no visitors without having a background check.

"Kim, are you asleep?" Jack said softly.

I rubbed my face and sat up "no Jack I can't sleep, every time I close my eyes. I'm so tired and my body aches from the new bruises that he gave me earlier."

Jack sighed. "Then do it Kim let me phone Sam and ask about it okay? Kim you've not been sleeping well maybe having the police on the other side of the door will help you rest at least."

I yawned.

Jack smiled "come on princess we'll try get some sleep together okay?"

We lay down.

"I love you" I said closing my eyes.

"I love you more" Jack whispered into my ear.

The thing I hated most now was that every time I close my eyes I see his glaring eyes watching my every move. I feel his presence here as if he is lying on top of me, crushing me with his heavy overweight. I feel his stinky warm alcohol breath on my breast and his strong hands wrapping tighter and tighter around my neck snatching my breath. Every time I feel that I feel like I am fighting for life.

Jack

"Get off me! Get off me!"

My eyes shot open. Something was nudging me almost out the bed.

Someone was screaming. I knew who it was. I would never ever forget that scream.

I blinked and reached out to Kim.

She kicked me off "No get off me! Get off me!" She was flailing about kicking out her feet and punching the air.

"Kim its okay it's me Jack I'm here and he's not!" I pulled her back against my chest so she could still kick out. "You're okay now he can't hurt you!"

"Jack?"

I turned and faced the door. "Sam she's having a night terror I didn't know what to do!"

Sam nodded "you're doing well its best to let her just let it all out. Its normal for trauma victims to relive the trauma they have been through I've just not dealt with such a severe trauma before"

Kim eventually calmed down and slept in my arms. I sat on the bed not letting her go believing that if I did Kim would kick out again and she would never stop.

"Sam how long will this last?"

She sat on the chair next to the bed "honestly I don't know Jack"

While Kim was sleeping Sam took a few photos of Kim's new injuries and talked me through what we were next going to do.

"I can't believe that he won't let her go" I said, looking at Kim's new bruises and fingerprints around her neck. I went to touch but then thought better of just in case I woke her up.

Sam put her hand on my shoulder. "Jack we're not going to stop hunting him until he is locked up I have everybody out looking for him"

I went to say that I feel useless but Sam red my mind and assured me that me being her side is the most important job right now and that I am the one person that Kim can always depend on.