As soon as I felt safe enough I got up from where I was sitting and made my way into a clothing shop.

My goal was to procrastinate as much as possible, the spots weren't terribly bad and were already going away.

So I figured if I could last till about 10:00 they should be gone most of the way to where they wouldn't be noticeable.

But still just to make sure I bought a couple of scarfs to put around my neck.

As I walked home the lively Liverpool streets looked dead and cold.

Just like my body, I didn't know what I was going to do about Jay, or Ringo.

All I knew is that I couldn't let him know.

Jay would kill him, or even do something worse, torture him and make me watch the whole thing without being able to do anything.

Just being helpless, like I have always been.

And I was willing to do anything to make sure nothing happened to him.

I finally arrived back home and the clench in my muscles for the first time today relaxed.

Home.

I hung the bag with my clothes in it on my arm as I rummaged around in my coat pocket looking for the key.

My eyes looked back at the road and the lads cars were still here.

Hmm, they usually don't rehearse this late.

"Ah ha, there you are."

I whispered to myself as I pulled the key out.

I took in a deep breath as I inserted the key and turned it.

I just knew Ringo was going to be worried out of his mind, and I felt awful.

But this was the very first time I've done something like this.

Maybe he won't be too upset.

I opened the door quietly and shut it behind me.

"Ellie!"

I turned around startled.

A releived Ringo ran up and wrapped his arms around me hugging me tighter than he ever had.

He dug his face in the crook in my neck and his cheeks were wet.

"Oh my God we were so worried, where have you been!?"

Ringo cried holding my face in his hands.

I felt like I could die right there.

He was so worried, I couldn't imagine what I would have done if he had done this to me.

But I had to make it seem like I was just out shopping and at the library then had lost track of time.

"Honey, I was just out shopping, then I kind of lost track time and I tried to hurry home as fast as I could, once I realized what time it was.

I'm so sorry I feel awful."

Ringo sighed the lads standing behind him, looking down at me with worried expressions.

He looked into my eyes, and a tear rolled down his cheek.

"Oh its okay baby, please just don't ever do that to me again."

He cried as he wrapped me in his strong arms.

Before I knew it I began to cry and hugged him tighter.

John came up behind me and kissed the back of my head.

"Poor kid. We'll see you later Ellie, goodnight love."

I smiled into Ringo as I felt the boys walk past me and Ringo and out the door.

"Oh, I'm just so glad your safe I don't know what I would have done if something was to happen to you."

My heart shattered.

Put in a blender.

And thrown away.

I tried my hardest to suck in my sobs, but i couldn't take it anymore.

I lost it completely and was making a scene.

"Ell?"

He reached out and touched my cheek.

I pushed his hand away and turned around, cries shaking my body.

"What's wrong? Ellie what happened?"

He grabbed my shoulder turning me back towards him.

I shook my head, and hung it hiding my face.

I felt so guilty and I didn't know what to do.

I couldn't tell him.

I sniffed and wiped my tears away, but only more came pouring down.

"I-I'm fine."

He shook his head and pressed his lips together.

"No your not stop telling me that."

Ringo put his hand on my chin trying to make me look at him.

"Please tell me what's going on."

He pleaded, his voice cracked.

"Is it me? Did I do something?"

I let out another cry and covered my mouth with my hand.

Why did he think it was him?

"Ellie please I'm begging you, you're scaring me to death."

I felt his shaking hands cup my cheeks, I and could tell he was behind upset.

I kept my head down and bit the bottom of my lip as heavy sobs came.

"Ellie, if everything is fine like you claim it is, which it obviously isn't, look at me."

I grabbed his hand, connecting our fingers still staring at the ground.

Slowly I looked up and his face looked so distraught and filled with fear and worry.

He sighed shakily and covered his mouth with his hand.

"Oh baby girl, come here sweetheart."

He opened his arms as he embraced me.

I cried into his shoulder and he rubbed the top of my head comfortingly.

"I wish you would tell me what's wrong."

He whispered his voice full of concern.

I sniffed and kissed his cheek.

"Me too."

I whispered soft enough Ringo couldn't hear.

We parted and he looked at me with sad eyes, as he played with my hair.

I had finally calmed down, and looked up at him, my eyes aching and dry.

"Please tell me the truth, is everything okay?"

I forced myself to nod my head and swallowed down tears.

He nodded slowly and kissed my forehead.

"Well, we've had a long night. Let's go to bed, okay?"

I nodded and wrapped my arms around his neck.

He smiled gently and picked me up carrying me bridal style.

That night I couldn't sleep and I was terrified of the next day.

Ringo could feel it.

I knew he could.

In the middle of the night I began to cry silently, not thinking Ringo could hear me.

But I felt his warm body come up behind me and spooning me.

He wrapped his arms around my waist and leaned up kissing my forehead.

"Shh, shh, its okay, its okay. "

He whispered sleepily.

He petted the top of my head, and hummed to me lightly until I was able to fall asleep.
*************************
That next morning I woke up, Ringo laying right beside me.

I looked down at his tan skin, and soft completion.

I smiled gently, caressing his face lightly with my fingers.

My heart sank, as I began to replay all the events of last night, and imagining the events of today.

What was I going to do?

I can't just lie to him about this.

But I have to.

To protect him, I mean I love him don't I?

And wouldn't he do the same for me?

I sat there gently stroking Ringo's cheeks. Playing everything out in my mind.

There has to be something I can do.

But what?

I sighed, my mind absolutely blown to shreds over this.

I leaned down and kissed Ringo on the forehead.

I needed some fresh air.

I uncovered myself, slipping out of the bed quietly.

He shuffled into position, but not waking up thankfully.

I undressed and put on my cotton sweatshirt and jeans.

Quietly I tiptoed out of the house.

As I shut the door, the cool winter air hit my face.

It felt really good, especially since my whole face has been flustered from stress.

I sat down on the front porch, in Ringo's white rocking chair.

Without planning at all, I began to sob.

The pain, and the weight of it all just seemed to come crashing down.

The chair shook as I dug my face in my hands.

I was so overwhelmed.

Jay was the last thing I wanted or needed in my life right now.

And the fact, that he showed up at the best time.

I just couldn't take it.

"Ellie?" I heard a familiar voice above me.

I shot my head up, meeting George's face.

He towered over me, a concerning and distressful look on his face.

"Ell, are you okay?"

I wiped my tear stained face, and sucked in the last few sobs.

I nodded, looking up at George forcing a unconvencing smile.

He studied me curiously, then slowly his eyes traveled to my neck.

He bent down and began studying the marks where Jay had been. 

A wave of fear poured over me.

I sat frozen, to scared at the moment to come up with a quick excuse.

I thought that they weren't  that bad, when I had looked at the marks.

I thought they would be gone by now.

But then again, I began to think. I hadn't seen them in the daytime.

"Ellie, these are from?"

His voice trialed off.

I knew the answer he was hoping for.

I cautiously began to shake my head. I felt my cheeks burning.

His eyes widened.

"N-no?"

George stuttered, taking another quick look. As if to make sure I knew what he was referring to.

I shook my head once more.

He pressed his lips together tight and gently ran his fingertips over the, bruises on my neck.

"Then who Ellie?"

He asked.

I burst out sobbing the whole story.

George sat back in shock.

I told him about Jay, and how he treated me, and then what he was doing now.

And about last night, and what was supposed to happen today.

"George you have to promise me you won't tell anyone!"

He raised an eyebrow.

"Ellie, are you insane! Look what he's doing to you!"

He pointed to my neck.

"We have to tell someone."

He grabbed the doorhandle.

I swooped in front of him, my back to the door.

"George no! Please, he'll kill Ringo!"

George rolled his eyes and attempted to push me aside.

"He's not going to kill anyone, he's just trying to scare you."

I shook my head, pushing him back.

"No, George you don't understand how serious this is! He will kill all of you! Anyone who knows!"

George, this time not trying to argue, again attempted to move me away from the door.

"He's done it before!"

George suddenly came to a stop.

I layed my hand on his chest, breathing releived.

He sighed, and looked down at me.

"Please George."

I begged him, my eyes filling up with tears.

He put his hands on his hips and bit the inside of his jaw.

"Ellie, what else am I supposed to do? Just idly sit by while a man, not just any man not to mention, your ex takes advantage of you whenever he pleases!?"

I hung my head, and closed my eyes slowly.

My jaw clinched and I felt warm tears running down my face.

I heard George sigh frustrated.

He was right.

But also, what else was I supposed to tell him?

Jay would kill Ringo if he found out George knew.

"What do you want me to do?"

I looked up slowly.

George's face was sincere.

I sniffed and cleared my throat.

"I just need you to be here for me. Help me through this. I don't want anyone else knowing."

George nodded and opened his arms, wrapping me in a warm hug.

"Okay, if that's what you want me to do."

I smiled into his chest and kissed his cheek.

"Thank you Georgie."

We parted and George grabbed me by the shoulders.

"But Ellie, if he does anything, to hurt you... He will be killed. Not by Ringo. Because I gave you my word I wouldn't tell. But by me."

I breathed to protest, but instead I just nodded in agreement.

"I love you Ellie. Don't ever forget that."

His voice cracked as he wrapped me in another hug.

I squeezed him tight and gently stroked his back.

"I wont. And I love you too."
**************************************************