The morning sun filtered weakly through the loft's narrow window, casting a soft glow over the cluttered garage as Walter quietly ascended the stairs, holding two mugs of coffee. He hadn't slept much - his mind kept cycling through what Paige had told him, her nightmare replaying in his head. Now, as he approached her, still curled up in his bed, looking fragile and worn, he felt a knot of anxiety twist in his chest.

Paige glanced up at him as he entered, her good eye swollen from tears, the other fused shut with a raging purple and black, but he could tell she was alert. She gave him a small, tired smile, and he handed her the coffee, trying to keep things as calm as possible.

"I figured you could use this. With cinnamon." Walter said, sitting down on the edge of the bed, keeping his tone light. "It's not the best, but… caffeine helps."

"Thanks." She whispered, her voice hoarse and strained, he suspected from some swelling in her throat, wrapping her hands around the mug as if she was holding onto it for dear life.

Walter watched her carefully as she took a small sip, noticing the way her hands still trembled. He didn't want to push her too hard, but he needed answers. Not just for his own sake, but to protect her. Whoever had done this couldn't just walk free.

"So…" He cleared his throat, keeping his voice casual. "I know last night was… a lot. And I get why you didn't want to talk about it then. But if you feel up to it, Paige… we could call Cabe. I really think he could help. He wouldn't involve anyone unless you wanted him to. It's just… he could offer protection. Make sure whoever did this doesn't come near you again."

Paige froze, her grip tightening on the mug as she stared into it, her face pale and drawn. She didn't answer right away, and Walter felt a surge of nervousness twist inside him.

"I can't, Walter." she said softly, her voice cracking. "I don't… I don't want anyone else involved. I don't want anyone to see me like this. I can't face anyone. Not yet."

Walter's heart sank. He understood her fear, at least as well as he could, especially being such a private person himself, but the longer they waited, the more dangerous this could become. They were in over their heads. He wanted to protect her, but how could he do that without even knowing the basics? Knowing who had hurt her?

"Paige. I understand where you're coming from, I do… I'm just concerned that whomever did this to you is still out there…" he began, choosing his words carefully, "if I knew who did this… I could help you. I could protect you. You wouldn't have to be afraid anymore."

Her eyes flickered up to meet his, wide and full of terror, and she shook her head.

"I can't, Walter. I just… can't. If I tell you… if I involve Cabe… it'll make things worse. I can't take that risk. He'll…" She stopped unable to voice what could happen.

"He'll what, Paige?"

She looked him straight on, a boldness in the way she squared off, and opened her mouth to speak, but before Paige could respond, a loud crash came from downstairs. The front door slammed open with a force that shook the walls. Walter shot to his feet, his pulse quickening as he heard heavy footsteps storming into the house, physically blocking Paige on instinct.

"Where is she?!" A man's voice bellowed, filled with rage. "Paige! I know you're here!"

Paige's coffee cup slipped from her hands, spilling onto the bed as her entire body went rigid with fear. Her breath came out in short, shallow gasps, and her eyes were wide with panic. She stumbled backward off the bed, pressing herself against the corner of the wall as if she could disappear into it, willing it to consume her.

"No, no, no…" She whispered frantically, shaking her head, her voice trembling as she started to hyperventilate. "Oh God, no. Not him… please, not him."

Walter's blood ran cold as realization struck him like a freight train. This man - this aggressive, booming voice downstairs - was the one who had hurt her. The one who had left her battered and bruised, and gasping for breath. He could see it in the way Paige's entire body trembled with paralyzing fright, her hands flying to her throat, as if she could still feel the grip of his hands squeezing the life out of her.

"Paige, look at me!" Walter whispered sternly, grabbing her by the shoulders as gently as he could, his voice calm but urgent. "Look at me. You're going to be okay. I won't let him hurt you."

Her eyes were wild, darting around the room in a frenzy. She couldn't seem to focus on anything, her breathing rapid and shallow, each breath coming in ragged gasps as if the walls were closing in around her.

"I can't breathe." She choked out, her hands clutching at her chest, her eyes wide with terror. "I can't… he's going to kill me, Walter. If he finds me here… Oh god, not here… He's going to kill me."

Walter's heart hammered in his chest, but he kept his voice steady, trying to cut through her panic.

"No, Paige. He's not going to touch you. I promise."

He glanced around quickly, trying to figure out where to hide her. His eyes landed on the small cabinet beneath the sink. He kept everything in the garage kitchen, so thankfully it was empty, and she was fairly small.

"Come with me." He said, pulling her gently toward the closet. "I need you to stay in here, okay? You cannot make a sound. Don't come out until I tell you it's safe."

Paige's eyes filled with tears as she let herself be led, her legs shaking beneath her as she stumbled into the small space, crouching down, and letting Walter guard her head as she weasled into the cupboard. She clung to Walter's arm, her nails digging into his skin, her breath coming in desperate, shallow gulps. He could feel the fear radiating off her in waves, and it shattered him to see her like this, so terrified, so defenseless.

"Walter… please don't let him find me. Don't let him find me here." She pleaded through harsh whispers, her voice barely audible as her tears fell silently down her cheeks. His hand came up to cup her cheek, firmly but gentle, needing her to hear him, really hear him.

"I won't." Walter whispered back, his voice fierce with determination. "I'll keep you safe, Paige. I swear."

He gently closed the closet door, his heart pounding as he heard the heavy footsteps getting closer, the man's voice echoing up the stairs.

"Paige! You can't hide from me forever! I know you're here!"

Walter took a deep breath, steadying himself before stepping out of the loft. He could hear the man downstairs, pacing angrily, his footsteps heavy and aggressive. Walter descended the stairs slowly, his jaw clenched, his body tense.

When he reached the bottom, he saw him… the man who had hurt Paige. He was tall, broad-shouldered, with a military bearing and an intensity in his eyes that immediately set Walter on edge. His face was twisted with anger, his fists clenched at his sides, and his eyes scanned the room with a predatory glare.

It was Tim.

"Tim?" Walter said calmly, stepping into his path, though his insides were churning with anger and fear. "You're back? What's going on?"

Tim's eyes snapped to Walter on the stairs, his jaw clenched, and for a brief moment, there was a flicker of recognition, but it was quickly drowned out by the fury burning in his gaze.

"I know she's here, O'Brien." Tim growled, his voice low and dangerous. "Where is she?"

--

A/N: I didn't want to do my A/N at the top and give anything away. This story will have a heavy overlay of issues relating to domestic violence and escaping it. I personally escaped from a pretty severe DV marriage four years ago that came within an inch of losing my life and my kids lives, with nothing but the clothes on my back and my children in tow. I lost absolutely everything, but I don't miss anything I lost if that makes sense. It's still a daily battle against my abuser, who continues to stalk and harass my kids and I. Sometimes the law just has too many loopholes for these monsters to get away with it. Anyway, I have been toying with the idea of writing this for a while, as an outlet, but didn't know how I wanted to do it. This seemed like a way to dabble in the story writing aspect of bringing light to DV, while also not going overboard.

Also, I just REALLY hate Tim. He always screamed to me as very fake, very narcissistic, very love bomby, and when he was bragging to Paige that he can manipulate people in the Fort Knox ep, it just really hit me that he could easily fall into the category. Plus Paige is a classic victim, young, single mom, craving something different (or in her case 'normal'). He's super sweet and dopey with her, but super aggressive and over the top with Walter. The way he was with Veronica (a con woman who reads people for a living), not wanting her to get close with Paige… He read her like a book, and it just never sat right with me.

Anyway, that's my rant. It's mostly going to be very Waige oriented, but there may be some graphic scenes to come. You've been warned.

To all my fellow survivors: you rock. And if anyone is ever in the midst of it, and needs a supportive ear, help forming a safety plan, or somewhere to stay, send me a DM and I will be there for you, no questions asked.