After a few more hours of tossing and turning in her empty bed Cleo threw off the covers and begrudgingly getting ready for the day. Everything took three times as long with her injuries. If she moved too quickly or in the wrong way pain would spasm through her and she'd be forced to rest until she could breathe again. At about 9:30am, just as she finished pouring herself a cup of coffee, her phone rang. She checked the caller ID before answering.

"Hi T, did everything go okay at the airport?"

"Yes ma'am, on my way back to your place now. I'll keep out of your way but if you could let me know when you plan to leave the apartment it would be much appreciated."

"I will T," she had to fight to keep the sarcasm from her voice "but I'll just be hanging out here today. Maybe hit the grocery store tomorrow."

"Sounds good pretty lady. Axel will be taking over tonight so I'll introduce him when he shows up okay? Keep this number on speed dial, I'll be seeing you later." And T ended the call.

Cleo shook her head. While part of her was comforted to know she wasn't alone, the stubborn side of her felt their concern was misplaced. Logically she knew Jason was dangerous, but she just couldn't believe he would risk coming back, not when the police were looking for him. With her coffee mug she folded herself onto the couch, reaching for the remote. Cleo's day passed slowly. It was nearly 7pm by the time Cleo realized she didn't have more than those two cups of coffee in her stomach. She placed an order for a large pepperoni pizza with jalapenos and mushrooms with a side of breadsticks before dialing T.

"Everything okay Cleo?"

"Yes, T. Everything is fine. Come on up to my apartment, I ordered way too much pizza."

T chuckled and hung up. Minutes later, Cleo heard a knock at her door and opened it to find a stern looking T.

"Cleo, did you really just open your door without checking who was out there? Did you even look out the peephole? That's literally why they're there!"

"Oh, come on T, I knew it was you." She turned her back on him and walked to her couch, "Come on, help me pick a movie."

Shaking his head T collapsed on the couch opposite her. "Fine, but next time at least check okay?"

The two had finally settled on a horror movie when the pizza arrived. T rolled his eyes at Cleo's order, picking off the jalapenos and putting them on her plate for her to eat. "Doesn't that give you heartburn?"

"Shhhhhh" Cleo shushed him.

Cleo looked over throughout the movie to see T peering through his fingers most of the time. She couldn't help herself and during a particularly tense moment she nudged a leg out, causing T to jump off the couch in fright. She was lost to a fit of giggles, gasping at the pain from her ribs but unable to stop when looking at his expression.

She'd finally swallowed her laugh when the doorbell rang, causing T to jump again and sending her into another peal of laughter she tried to stifle as coughs. Shooting her a glare, T got up from the couch and stalked towards the door. He looked out the peephole before removing the chain lock and flipping the deadbolt. As the door swung open it revealed a man equally as large as T but with long blonde hair pulled back into a bun. They shook hands as T invited him into the apartment, bolting the door behind them. As T turned around Cleo rose from the couch, extending her hand gently in greeting.

"Hi, I'm Cleo, you must be one of T's men?"

The man grasped her hand, "Axel, nice to meet you. T has told me a lot about you and those Stray Kids. Say's you're worth protecting more than most."

Cleo glanced at T who shrugged in return. "And did he also tell you that I think this is completely unnecessary?"

Axel seemed unphased by Cleo's defiance. "I hope we prove you right. But until that fucker is behind bars we will be outside your door day and night."

In response Cleo offered Axel some leftover pizza before turning to T, "What is the plan anyway? You guys just sit out in your cars all night watching the building?"

At his nod of agreement Cleo scoffed, "That's ridiculous. Do you trust your men?"

"With my life"

"Then they'll stay with me. They can sleep on the couch. It's ridiculous that they'd sit outside in their cars all night."

Axel and T exchanged a look, communicating through a series of raised brows and small expression changes. Finally, T spoke up. "If that's what you're comfortable with and what the guys agree on, then it's okay with me. Does this mean you're warming up to the idea of us being around?"

Cleo rolled her eyes. "Not at all. But I'd rather you all be comfortable while 'keeping me safe' than feel guilty over it." She added air quotes around "keeping me safe", causing Axel to chuckle and T to harden his gaze at her. Once the sleeping arrangements had been decided upon, T bid them goodnight and Axel made himself comfortable on Cleo's couch. After showing him the bathroom and where he could find drinks in the fridge Cleo retired to bed, determined to rest and wake up ready to complete errands in the morning.

With two weeks left until their American leg of the tour, Chan was planning his flights to and from Cleo's hometown. He'd been just about to book a flight for the week prior to their appearance in New York when Chul sent him an updated schedule. He was now booked for nearly every night they didn't perform with various talk shows or other appearances. He'd never been so solidly booked in the past. Dialing Chul's number he couldn't help but feel as though this was punishment for his disobedience.

Chul picked up the call and without preamble Chan started right in, "Chul what is this? I never have this many schedules during touring."

"Good afternoon to you too Chan. The company thinks it would be best if you refocused your energy to Stray Kids and promoting the tour."

"The company thinks so or you do?"

"Honestly Chan, it's not always about you and that… girl. You'll have to find another time to visit her."

Chan hung up the phone, tossing it angrily onto the bed. He ran a hand over his face, exasperated at the situation Chul had put him in. It had been two weeks since he'd seen Cleo and despite daily updates from T and near constant contact with her over the phone it just wasn't the same. He wanted to see her with his own eyes, not just through a screen. He wanted to touch her, to prove to himself that she was okay and healing. A sudden thought struck Chan, he pulled his laptop over and began looking through the schedules for each of the members. Felix was booked for the same events as , Chan couldn't help but roll his eyes at the "coincidence" organized by Chul. The only members with any amount of free time seemed to be Minho and Han, they had two spare days in a row coming up.

He shut his laptop and pulled on a hoody before heading out the door of his hotel room and making for Han and Minho's room across the hall. Han answered the door, a blanket wrapped over his head like a hood and a bowl of popcorn in hand. "Hey Chan! We were just about to start a movie, want to join?" Behind him Chan could see Minho laying on his stomach on the bed, remote in hand.

"Yeah, sure, whatever. Hey, I have a favor to ask you two…"

Han was quick to agree. He'd been not so secretly jealous that Chan and Felix had been to visit Cleo without him. Minho showed more reservation, watching Chan pace their room as he explained how Chul was over scheduling him on purpose. Brow furrowed, Minho interrupted, "Chan, are you okay? It seems like you're upset about more than just a busy schedule."

Chan signed, a hand running through his hair, "I just… I miss her. I miss Cleo and being stuck here is driving me crazy. I want to see her, I need to see her, to make sure she's okay. I've never felt like this before."

Minho examined Chan's face before nodding, "Consider it done."

Chan's shoulders relaxed as a weight lifted from his shoulders, "Thank you guys. I know we don't get a lot of time to ourselves so the fact that you're willing to spend it doing this for me means a lot"

"Pffft," Han scoffed between mouthfuls of popcorn, "we're not just doing it for you! I haven't gotten to see Cleo since she left, I'm doing this for me!"

Minho shook his head at Chan, "And you can't expect I'd let Han get to have all the fun. We'll bring Cleo your love and well wishes while showing her why we're better than the Aussie boys."

Chan laughed and smacked Minho in the shoulder, "Alright, well still. Thanks guys. What movie are we watching?"

It turns out they'd been getting ready to watchThe Grudgeso Chan quickly excused himself from the room, blaming a forgotten commitment. He felt lighter walking back to his room. If he couldn't see Cleo himself at least he knew he could count on his brothers to be there for him. He shot a quick text to T explaining the plan. T's response came within minutes,

Sounds good bro. Axel will be with her that day. I'll let him know what time to pick them up from the airport. She's been going crazy being stuck in the apartment, she'll be glad for the company.

Chan couldn't help the immediate spike of jealousy he felt. He pushed it down quickly, but he hated that he couldn't be the one there for her. They talked every day, but he knew she was still holding things back from him. She never complained about her situation and often changed the subject when he asked for updates about the police investigation. T had been the one keeping him in the loop, letting him know that the police had no idea where Jason was. Despite Cleo's assurances that he wasn't going to come back, Chan didn't want to take any chances. He'd feel much better when they started their American tour and she'd be a short flight away, and he might be able to stop worrying if she would just agree to move back to Korea with him. He knew she loved her job as a nurse and had been looking into ways she could continue to work while living with them. He'd come up with a range of options, from volunteering at tour locations to being hired by JYP as a permanent medical staff for the group. He was determined to convince her by the end of their tour.

"Okay little miss, I'm off to get Han and Minho. Lock the door and don't open it until I get back, understand?"

Cleo just rolled her eyes from her spot on the couch. She'd been home from the hospital for a little over two weeks and felt basically back to normal. The worst of the bruising was still evident on her ribs and jaw, but she could laugh without pain and had gotten used to the cast on her wrist. She no longer had to wear a sling on her other side which meant her mobility was back to normal. She'd gotten close with T and Axel during their time together and while she appreciated their presence she was beyond ready for additional human interaction. When Chan had told her he wasn't going to be able to come visit for a while she'd nearly cried from desperation. She thought he might have known how upset she was because he rushed to tell her that Han and Minho would be coming for two nights instead.

Despite knowing they weren't likely to be able to go out much together while they were here, Cleo couldn't help but plan where she wanted to take them. There was a local café that was cat themed just a few blocks from her apartment that she desperately needed to bring Minho to. She really wanted to show them a side of American life that they might not have seen before. With a salute she followed Axel to the door, locking it with a click behind him before returning to the couch. It should only take an hour or so for Axel to get to and from the airport. So, she decided to start the next episode ofMy Demon, hoping it would keep her occupied until they made it back.

Han checked his phone for the 3rd time. "Axel said he's stuck behind some major accident. He doesn't know how much longer until he gets here"

Minho tapped his foot, checking his watch. "Let's just take an Uber or a Cab or something."

"Sounds good, I'll let him know. Maybe he can turn around and meet us there or something. It's already been like 45 minutes."

Cleo started another episode ofMy Demon. She checked the time again, wondering what could be taking them so long. She was just considering ordering dinner when there was a knock on the front , she thought as she bounded to the door.

Cleo swung the door open wide, "What took you so lo-", the words died on her lips. Jason was standing in front of her. Before she could slam the door shut he pushed her backwards into the apartment, following closely behind. From the force of his shove Cleo had fallen onto her back. Panicked, she tried to shuffle herself to the couch, pushing with her legs and ignoring the flare of pain in her collarbone at the fall. She'd just reached the coffee table and was extending her hand towards her cellphone when Jason seized her around the ankle and dragged her back towards him.

"You sent the police after me you bitch?"

Cleo could only whimper on response. Her entire body had frozen, a layer of cold sweat breaking out across her skin. Every time she looked in his face her stomach flipped, as if remembering the sensation of falling. Her inability to respond seemed to enrage him more. His face had turned brick red. She flinched back as he reached a hand for her face, grabbing hold of her hair and dragging her across the floor.

"You ungrateful bitch. I'll remind you who owns you. Your body is mine to do with as I please. Your life is mine to play with. I decide if you live or die."

He'd dragged her to the threshold of her bedroom when Cleo finally found her voice, " HEL-"

Jason released his hold on her hair and backhanded her across the face. Stars swam across her vision from the force of the blow. He grasped her face, squeezing hard with one hand and pulling her upright to face him. Barely an inch separated their faces as he spit out, "One word. One word and I'll kill you."

Tears had started streaming down Cleo's cheeks. She made a choking sound but didn't scream again. He wrapped an arm around her neck, not quite cutting off her air but still squeezing tightly enough that she couldn't catch her breath between sobs. He continued to drag her into the bedroom, mumbling incoherent and disjointed threats toward her, the police, and Chan. Her tears fell faster at the thought of Chan and the rest of the boys. She felt a sharp pain in her chest when she realized that Han and Minho would have to find her body. Poor Han, she just hoped Minho or Axel would keep him from seeing too much. She knew Chan would blame himself for her death and that terrified her more than what Jason would do to her. T and Axel had hammered it into her to check the peephole before opening the door, but she'd been so excited to see Han and Minho she hadn't bothered. It was her own stupidity that led to this mess. She'd never taken the threat of Jason returning seriously, she knew he was dangerous, but she thought the police would find him first.

She felt her legs hit the bed frame. Jason released his hold on her neck and forced her down onto the bed. He laid down on top of her, his weight pushing the breath from her lungs. She felt his nails scrabbling at her shorts, bile rose up her throat. He had her arms pinned to her side, but she forced one of her legs up, trying to push him off of her. He grunted as her knee connected with his stomach. He released one of her arms and punched her in the side, right over her healing ribs. Tears flooded her eyes as she gasped. The pain was so severe she lost track of her surroundings. Her awareness slowly faded back, Jason had pulled her shorts down to her ankles and was forcing himself inside of her. Her arm was still free, and she tried to push Jason off of her. When he didn't budge her fingers found the chain of the necklace Chan had given her. She gripped it tightly as she tried to shut her mind off and imagine herself anywhere but there. Jason noticed the necklace and ripped it from her neck, "What is this? A gift from that faggot you're obsessed with?"

He threw the necklace across the room. Cleo closed her eyes as she heard the metal hit the wall, a whimper escaping her throat. With her eyes closed she didn't see Jason move. A sharp pain at the point where her neck and shoulder met had her eyes flying open. Jason had bit her, hard and deep enough to draw blood. She kept her eyes trained on the wall, trying to silence the screaming in her mind.

Han and Minho's Uber pulled up to Cleo's apartment building. As they got out of the car Han checked his phone, "Axel says he's just a few minutes behind us. Should we wait, or do you want to head up there?"

"Let's just go up. It's getting late."

They grabbed their backpacks and trooped up the stairs. As they turned the corner on the third floor Minho stopped short. "Hey, isn't Cleo apartment 311?"

Han checked the address Chan had sent them, "Yeah, why?"

"Because the doors open."

"What?"

The door to apartment 311 was hanging partially open, the welcome mat askew and pushed halfway into the apartment. Han and Minho looked at each other, an expression of confusion on Han's face. Minho's expression remained blank as he walked carefully to the door. As he went to push it open further, Han caught his arm. "We should wait for Axel… or call the police? What do we do?"

Minho shook him off, pushing his way into the apartment with Han close behind. They looked around, heads swiveling back and forth before Minho took off toward a door to their left. He wrenched the door open and had crossed the room before Han could catch up to him. Han heard a shout followed by several crashes and the sound of flesh hitting flesh. He turned the corner and the first thing he saw was Minho on top of a man, fists flying. A choking sound drew his eyes to the bed where Cleo was curled over herself, sobbing. Understanding struck Han, he rushed to Cleo and pulled her into his chest. On the floor Minho was swearing at the top of his voice, his fists connecting with whatever inch of Jason he could reach. A loudCRACKrang out as Jason's skull connected with the floor.

Jason pushed Minho off of him and ran for the door. Blood streamed down his face, his steps were staggered and he hit the door frame as he ran. Minho stood as if to chase after him, but one look at Cleo and Han huddled on the bed had him returning to them instead. Cleo was sobbing into Han's shoulder, her words incomprehensible. Minho kneeled at the edge of the bed, clasping her hand in his. Together the three of them remained huddled in Cleo's room until Axel burst in.

"What the hell happened?!"

Minho leapt up from his spot next to Cleo and met Axel in the doorway, attempting to keep him from entering the room and upsetting Cleo more. While trying to push Axel from the room Cleo spoke up, "Minho it's okay."

She stood from the bed on shaky legs, wiping the tears from her face. Her jaw was set, "Jason broke in and raped me. Minho and Han surprised him and Minho scared him off."

Han scrambled to his feet after her, "We need to call the police."

"NO!"

The shout had come from Cleo. They all turned to her in surprise. "We can't call the police. Minho will get in trouble and it could spread to the media. This can't get out. It would ruin Stray Kids reputation, you're not even supposed to be here…"

Han and Minho stared at Cleo in disbelief. Axel looked at her appraisingly, "Are you sure Cleo?"

"Positive. Axel. Please, make this go away."

Axel looked at her for a few moments longer before nodding. "I need to make a few calls, Cleo pack a bag."

Without hesitating Cleo turned immediately for her closet and began throwing clothes into a suitcase.

"Cleo, you don't need to worry about us." Han was following her around the apartment as she grabbed the items that were most important to her.

"There's nothing to discuss Han. I've damaged Stray Kids enough. I won't do it again."

Axel came back to the room as Cleo bent over to retrieve the necklace Jason had ripped from her throat. "There's a flight in 2 hours, the three of you need to be on it. T and I will handle things from here."

Cleo zipped her suitcase shut. Her shoulders set she led the way out of the apartment with Han and Minho close behind.