(Possible trigger warning)
>Long chapter <

*Back on the dance floor*
Crys' POV

Tonight has been more fun than I expected. At first I felt like my heart was going to burst through my chest with nerves, but Harv said he'd stay close to me all night.

I felt bad that he would be stuck babysitting me but he said it's no problem since he doesn't dance anyway. With the comfort of always being able to see him as well as having Scar and Darcy next to me, I felt at ease all night and just lost myself in the music.

I really needed this.

I keep feeling like I'm being watched but every time I looked around, the only person watching was Harv. Always keeping his ever protective eyes on me.

I can't help wishing he would dance with us, well, with me. He has been the best friend I could ask for. Between our movie marathons and his help when I have nightmares, I love being around him.

Of course his physical appearance is hot, I mean nice. Ugh, who am I kidding? He's damn sexy and that kiss we shared was like a preview to what I shouldn't be thinking about. I know both of us aren't ready and I would hate to lose his friendship over giving in to desires and temptation.

Realizing I need a bathroom break, I break away from my thoughts and tell Scar I need to use a toilet.

"Just over there, right next to the stairs in the hallway." Scar smiles at me before getting lost in the music with Darcy again.

We've all been loving the night off from work and school, I've barely had time for the gym let alone a party. The only reason we got tonight off was because Dave was closing for a private function with a few of his own friends.

When I stumble go into the bathroom, I feel eyes on me again but brush it off as Harv. He's taking his role very seriously so far tonight.

When I'm done, I open the door, only to have a heavy body push me harshly into the wall next to the door. Before I can even catch my breath, let alone react, a sweaty hand covers my mouth. My panic only increases as I feel the only hand on my hip pulling me further into the large body.

"I been lovin' the show ya put on for me." The gruff voice slurs in my ear. His hot, alcohol filled breath making me want to heave.

I try to push his body away from mine with all my strength, but in his drunk state, it's like dead weight.

Dread starts to push its way into my bones as I try to dig my nails in his arms and kick my heel into his foot to at least loosen his grip, nothing seems to make a difference to him though. Screaming into his hand does nothing with the party music going loud.

Suddenly I'm pulled from the wall and being dragged up the stairs. His hand still on my mouth as I breathe in quick short breaths through my nose. I feel tears roll down my face, blurring my vision as he leaves a hand sitting above my dress where my undies sit. My back being pressed into his chest and the hardest of his excitement digging into me making my fear skyrocket.

This can't happen!

"Playing hard to get won't change anythin'." He slurs before he licks my neck.

Trying to pry his hands away from either places only results in his arm moving away from my undies and instead around my stomach to trap my arms. As we pass a hallway mirror, I see my attacker for a moment. The main thing that stands out though, is these scars he has on the arm attached to my face.

I can't help feeling so utterly helpless in this moment. Lee has spent so long teaching me how to help myself but this guy is way too strong for me in my drunken state.

I'm suddenly thrown onto a bed but my hope from no longer having his hands on me is short lived. As I start to scurry to the other side of the bed in hope to create distance or a barrier, a sweaty hand grabs my leg and pulls me so hard I feel like my leg might pop out of its socket. My throat nearly closing up from practically hyperventilating in fear and panic.

As he drags me to him, my dress rides up and all I can do is hold it in place to keep a barrier between us as I try to kick free. I wish I had just worn jeans like I had wanted to. He slumps himself over my legs and pulls my elastic dress down to my stomach.

"No... please." I try to beg as I struggle against this monster.

Feeling so exposed and terrified has a new wave of tears falling, while I try any and everything to stop him. Scratching, slapping, punching, I'm trying anything to make this stop.

"Harv! Help!" I scream hoping he's looking for me. Surely he's noticed I'm not on the dance floor by now. My cry for help is rewarded with a punch to my face from my attacker.

As he goes back to trying to remove my dress, I shove my hands in his face and dig my nails into him hoping to try anything to stop this.

Hasn't anyone noticed I'm gone?

All of a sudden the heavy weight of my attacker is gone and I see someone on him. Pulling my dress up quickly, not wanting anyone else to see me so exposed. I scoot myself as far away from the fighting as I can.

As I watch someone lay punch after punch into my attacker with satisfaction, I realise it's Harv. All I can think is "He heard me. I'm safe now."

My brain seems to catch up with all that's happened, now that I'm safe. My breathing hammers alongside my heartbeat while I hold my knees to my chest to keep from shaking.

Why do these things happen to me?

Why am I always so damn weak?

I can't help the self loathing that I bury myself in. First Michael then Travis. Now this guy!

What's wrong with me?

I'm pulled from my thoughts as I feel someone pull me to them. The familiar scent of my best friend and saviour calms me slightly.

"It's okay, you're okay. I'm here." He whispers quietly to me.

I feel my panic start to subside as I just sit, crying in my friends lap with his arms holding me tight. Protecting me from the evil I seem to attract in this world.

"Crys, are you alright? Can I pick you up so I can take you home?" He offers softly, trying not to startle me.

"Take me home p-please." I simply cry back into my chest.

"Did anything happen? We can go to the police." He offers, nerves clear in his voice.

"No. You came in... before he could." I try explaining but the thinking of how close the worst nearly came restarts my cries.

I feel myself being lifted and the cool air of the night on my skin but I don't pull away from the warmth Harv offers. I'm not paying attention to anything else other than his heartbeat next to my ear. It's so soothing that I don't even realise I've fallen asleep on the way home.

We apparently get back to the apartment because when I feel us lowering, I look around to see our lounge room. Looking around, I see the twins talking to each other with pained expressions.

"We called the police, sweety." Jeremy says while squatting in front of me.

He's keeping a lot of distance between us and it makes me feel so alone.

Are they disgusted by me?

Sick of the drama that follows me?

I simply nod at him before curling up into a ball on Harvs lap. James hasn't said a word the entire time, just stared at the floor with blank expression.

Some time later, two police officers arrive at our apartment. A man who looks fresh out of the army and a woman who has a stern look about her.

The man goes to talk with the twins while the woman comes and sits on our coffee table in front of me. Her stern face changes to a kind smile and I feel myself relax slightly.

"Hello. My name is Officer Clarke. I'm told you were attacked tonight when at a party. Can you tell me your name?" She asks me, I guess hoping I'll open up.

"Crystal Rossi. Just call me Crys though." I mumble to her.

"Okay Crys. Could you please tell me what happened tonight? I can ask anyone you'd like to leave, if it makes you more comfortable." She offers.

"No, they're okay. W-we were at the party, everything was fine but I kept feeling like I was being watched. I just figured it was Harv-" I gestured to him "-because he was keeping an eye on me. I get anxiety in new situations, so he offered me peace of mind. After a while I went to the toilet but as soon as I came out, I was shoved into a wall. I tried to hurt him but he didn't seem to even notice. The guy covered my mouth and dragged me up stairs. He had his other hand... on my..."

I point to where he had placed it because I felt myself breaking trying to repeat it. I feel so disgusting. I have to do this though.

"He dragged me to a bedroom and threw me on the bed. I tried to get away but he grabbed my ankle."

"Which ankle?" She asks.

"My left. When I was closer again, he laid on top of me and started to pull my dress down. That's when Harv came in and pulled him off me. I'm not sure what happened after that. Just that we came home."

After I'm done telling her, I feel Harv's thumb wipe my tears away.

"I'm very sorry this happened to you. Can you describe the person for me at all?" She asks professionally.

"No. I didn't get a good look at his face."

"I can see a mark on your ankle already forming. With your permission, I'd like to take you to the hospital to photograph and document your injuries." She says sadly.

I shake my head "No." I don't want to leave this apartment yet.

She nods like she expected as much before turning to her partner.

"Can you call the Dr. Stone for us." She asks and all he does is nod before walking away.

"Would it be okay if a doctor came here and examined you? I will be there too. We would be somewhere private, such as your room but we need to document everything." She says sadly, clearly knowing this is a shit thing to need to do.

I simply nod.

While we wait they talk with Harv and the twins, a knock at the door startles me from my thoughts while I listened to Harv's heart again.

"Hello Crys. I'm here to make sure you're physically alright dear. If you could show me to a private place, we will document any injuries to put the prick away, hmm?" The older female doctor says. She brings a small smile to my face for the first time tonight and it gives me hope.

I grab Harv's hand and lead them to my bedroom. I'm told what the process is and that photographs will be taken for the record. She has also said she will be prescribing me something to help me sleep.

After being asked to go to my bra and undies, with shaky hands I attempt to unzip my dress.

"It's okay Crys." Harv whispers before taking my hands and placing them on his shirt. He slowly unzips my dress and lets it fall to the floor. As he's doing this I'm gripping his shirt tightly.

"It's alright. I'm not going to do anything, I promise you." He whispers and I believed him. If I trusted anyone, it was the man in front of me.

The doctor looks over my body with Officer Clarke taking notes from what's told. I don't say anything except for when Dr. Stone asks me something. I had forgotten the hit to my face until the she asked about the forming bruise to my jaw. The entire time I stare at my hands entwined with Harv's.

I can't seem to let him go yet. I'm sure when this is over he'll want less to do with me, if anything at all. So for now, I'm just taking as much of his comfort as I can.

The doctor tells me she is finished and that I did very well but I just want this all to be over. While Officer Clarke tells me what to expect and that she will keep me up to date on the case, Harv got me my robe to cover myself with.

"If there is anything else you need or if you remember anything, just call this number and I'll answer." She tells me as she hands me a card with her name and number in it.

As she turns to leave, I grab her wrist tightly. Her partner seems to take a step closer but she halts him.

I know I've forgotten something.

I'm standing with her wrist in my grip with my eyes closed. Flashes of the night fly through my mind until I remember the damn mirror!

"He has scars!" I tell her, almost shouting.

"Scars? Where were they located?" She asks before glancing at her partner. They seem to share a worried look before refocusing on me.

I trace my nail over her wrist where they were, making sure to have the correct number of them too.

"Thank you Crys. That's very helpful. Please rest and don't worry, we'll get him." She reassures before I let go and they're gone.

"I'm just going to have a shower." I mumble before walking to the bathroom and getting under the hot stream of the shower. Making sure to avoid the mirror, I find myself scrubbing my skin raw.

I don't even realise how long I'm in here until I hear a faint knock and Harv's voice.

"Crys, I have some clothes for you. Can I bring them in?" He asks through the door.

I give him the okay since it's not the first time we've walked into the occupied bathroom. The shower curtain blocks all visual of each other.

Once he's left, I get out to dry myself and get dressed. He's given me lose PJ pants and one of my favourite t-shirts of his, an old Jurassic Park shirt. Another small smile appears at the kind thought, since he's never let me wear it willingly.

Walking out, the twins are on the couch while I hear Harv in the kitchen. The pain on Jeremy's face makes my lip tremble, as soon as his arms open I run straight into them. I look over to James and see him just eyeing his hands.

I know what he's thinking without even asking. He's always felt like he's responsible for us since our parents.

Crawling off Jeremy, I climb onto his lap and hug him tightly. As I begin to think I was wrong and start pulling back, his arms wrap around me firmly.

It takes mere seconds before I feel his body shake and that's all it takes to make me start back up too. Jeremy joins us again moments later and we just take comfort in knowing we're okay.

"I'm so sorry, Crys." James croaks.

"It's not your fault." I reassure him.

"But-" I cover his mouth with a finger.

"It wasn't anyone but that bastards fault. Please don't beat yourselves up." I plead with him before I look at Jeremy too.

"I think it's time for bed. Remember to take the sleeping pill the doc gave you sweety." Jeremy says before kissing my head and going to his room. James does the same and then I'm left to myself.

Harv walks out with half a cheese sandwich and a glass of water.

"Here Crys. Doc said to have with food so I thought this might help." He offers with a small smile.

Thanking him, I eat and take my sleeping pill quickly. I need this day to be over already. We get up to go to bed afterwards, exhaustion hitting us hard.

"Harv... I know you've done a lot already tonight... and I don't want to be a bother so you can say no..." I ramble.

"Crys, would you like me to stay with you tonight?" He says while tilting my head to look at him. I simply nod and get a smile from him.

We climb into my bed and I find comfort cuddling into his chest, needing the calming beat of his heart to remind me he's here.

He wraps his arms around me, placing a gentle kiss on my head and that's all I need to ease my thoughts enough for me to fall asleep.

For the first time in so long, I actually have a dreamless sleep too.

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Edited 03/07/2018

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